Leaving Industrial Age Leadership Behind

Cathie Leimbach • March 19, 2024

Leading with Collaboration, Trust, and Inspiration

In the 21st century, effective leadership is not about issuing commands but rather fostering collaboration, growth, and authenticity within an organization. This approach emphasizes holistic impact and shared success among stakeholders.


At its core, effective leadership today revolves around encouraging collaboration. Leaders recognize that diverse perspectives drive innovation and problem solving. By creating an environment where every voice is heard and valued, leaders harness the collective intelligence of their teams, leading to more robust solutions and outcomes.


Also, nurturing employees’ development goes beyond just honing their existing skills. It involves cultivating new mindsets, knowledge, and skills that are essential for adapting to an ever-changing world. Leaders who prioritize continuous learning empower their teams to thrive in dynamic environments and embrace change as an opportunity for growth.


Authentic leadership is crucial in the 21st-century workplace. Leaders who bring their whole selves to work foster trust, transparency, and inclusivity. By embracing vulnerability and displaying authenticity leaders inspire loyalty and commitment among their teams, creating a culture where individuals feel empowered to do their best work.



Effective leadership in the 21st-century is characterized by a commitment to collaboration, continuous learning, and authenticity. By adopting these approaches, leaders can cultivate environments where all stakeholders thrive, driving innovation and sustainable success.

The Performance Gap: Why Half Your Team is Burning Out

By Cathie Leimbach • September 30, 2025
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt

Why Boring Beats Brilliant

By Cathie Leimbach • September 23, 2025
Craig Groeschel's Blueprint for Real Leadership