Getting Off the Starting Block

Cathie Leimbach • January 31, 2023

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”                                                                                               Mark Twain

How often have you had writer’s block or just couldn’t get going on a workplace project? You were willing to do the job but your brain just wasn’t ready to start. For some reason you weren’t crystal clear on exactly what outcome you were aiming for, or the best path to get you there, or even the first step to take.

Many of us have spent hours, days, or maybe even weeks making little or no progress. Why not reach out and ask for help? It may be your responsibility to do this work, but when you are still on the starting block you aren’t being very successful. If you just knew how to get going you could be up and running.

Many people do their best thinking when they are talking about the subject at hand. You may have found that sometimes while you were explaining a dilemma to another person the solution comes to your mind. Why not repeat this process often?

Why not ask a friend or colleague if they have 5 or 10 minutes to talk with you about a current bottleneck? Have them ask you a few open-ended questions about what you need to accomplish and a couple of ways you could approach it. You could leave that short conversation raring to go because your brain responded to someone else’s listening ear, friendly nudge, or curiosity.

Collaborate with those around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for a few minutes help to enhance your thinking. When you ask a work colleague or a family member to assist you in this way you achieve a win/win outcome. The company gets better results and your family’s needs are better served.

Where are you stuck today? Who could you ask to spur you over the hump?  

Age and Gender Shape How Employees Want to Be Appreciated

By Cathie Leimbach • June 10, 2025
In today’s evolving workplace, one constant remains: employees want to feel valued. Interestingly, research comparing data from before and after COVID-19 shows that employees' preferred languages of appreciation have remained remarkably consistent over time. However, age and gender differences reveal important nuances leaders shouldn’t ignore. Gender differences are clear. Men more frequently chose Acts of Service as their preferred form of appreciation (26%), while women gravitated toward Words of Affirmation (46%). When asked about their least preferred language, women were more likely to rank Acts of Service at the bottom, while men showed a strong dislike for Tangible Gifts. Age also matters. Employees over 60 overwhelmingly preferred Words of Affirmation (48%), while the youngest generation (under 20) leaned toward Quality Time (33%). These trends suggest that life stage and workplace experience shape what appreciation feels most meaningful.  The takeaway? While core preferences haven't shifted dramatically post-COVID, effective leaders need to understand and respond to individual differences. Avoid blanket strategies and invest in knowing how each team member feels most valued. Personalized appreciation builds stronger teams—across every generation and gender. For further details, see Dr. Paul White’s article on gender differences in appreciation preference.

Why Better Leaders Mean Better Bottom Lines

By Cathie Leimbach • June 3, 2025
Let’s talk straight—leadership development isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s the engine behind real economic progress. John Kotter, a world-renowned voice in leadership and change, made it clear: organizations don’t rise or fall on products alone—they succeed because of how well they lead through change. When leaders know how to cast vision, inspire action, and adapt quickly, the ripple effect is huge. Teams become more engaged. Strategy gets implemented faster. Resistance turns into momentum. And yes—revenue and results improve.  Kotter’s work shows that companies with strong leadership navigate uncertainty better and capture more market share during tough times. Why? Because effective leaders create clarity in the chaos. They don’t just manage—they lead change with purpose. If we want to strengthen our teams, our organizations, and even our communities, we have to prioritize leadership development. Not later—now. Because when leadership improves, so does everything else. That’s not just theory. That’s proven strategy. Click here to view the document: Better Leader = Better Bottom Lines and see why investing in leadership pays off. Let’s build leaders who build better futures.
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