Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Resilience

Cathie Leimbach • December 31, 2024

As we reach the year’s end, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on all that we’ve experienced—our successes, challenges, and the lessons that shaped us.


This year brought its share of accomplishments worth celebrating. Whether it was reaching a major goal, completing a challenging project, or simply staying consistent in the face of uncertainty, you’ve worked hard, remained resilient, and leveraged your problem-solving skills. Congratulations on what you’ve achieved! Your successes are a credit to your dedication and "stick-to-it" mindset.


Of course, not everything may have gone as planned. There might be goals or dreams you were hoping to accomplish but didn’t quite get to. That’s okay. Sometimes, the timeline shifts, but the vision remains. Take a moment to identify those unfinished goals and carry them forward into the new year with renewed determination.


Each challenge you faced this year has added to your strength, and every success has proven what you’re capable of. Celebrate what you’ve accomplished, learn from what didn’t go as planned, and move forward with hope and determination.

Here’s to an even brighter and even more fulfilling 2025! Happy New Year!

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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