Self-Reflection for Great Leaders

Cathie Leimbach • November 19, 2024

Thinking about yourself and how you work is important for everyone, especially leaders. When you take time to look at yourself, you can:

·      Find out what you're good at

·      Figure out what you need to improve

·      Learn how to do your job better


Why is self-reflection so important for leaders? Here are three big reasons:

1.      Know Yourself - Self-reflection helps you understand your leadership style. Think about how you act as a leader and how that affects your team. Are you helping people do their best work? Are you creating a positive workplace?

2.      Be Flexible -  The world changes quickly. By thinking about yourself, you can learn how to adapt. This means you'll be better at handling new challenges and information when they come up.

3.      Make Better Decisions - When you look at situations without letting your ego get in the way, you can see things more clearly. This helps you make smarter choices that benefit your entire team.


Your Challenge

Pick one day this month to spend an hour thinking about your leadership. Ask yourself:

·      What am I doing well?

·      What could I do better?

·      What's one thing I can improve next month?


By taking time to reflect, you can become a stronger, more effective leader.

Leadership Development: The Hidden Superpower for Your Business

By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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