Setting and Achieving Clear Goals

Cathie Leimbach • October 21, 2023

Setting clear goals is a foundational skill for effective leadership and personal growth. To harness this skill, leaders should focus on three essential elements: specificity, communication, and perseverance.


Firstly, specificity is key. Ambiguous goals like "improve performance" lack the clarity needed for successful execution. Instead, leaders should define objectives with precision, such as "increase quarterly sales by 15%." Specific goals provide a roadmap for action and empower teams to channel their efforts effectively.


Secondly, communication is the bridge between vision and execution. Leaders must articulate their expectations clearly, providing context and rationale. This enables teams to align their efforts with the overarching goal and fosters a sense of purpose.


Lastly, perseverance is the secret ingredient. Achieving significant results often involves facing challenges and setbacks. Leaders must remain patient and persistent, continuously monitoring progress and adapting as necessary.



In conclusion, clear goals, communicated effectively and pursued with determination, are the cornerstones of success in leadership and personal development. By mastering these elements, leaders can inspire their teams to achieve remarkable results.

Quiet Cracking: Why Burnout Is Harder to Spot—and Fix—Than You Think

By Cathie Leimbach • October 28, 2025
Based on Jen Colletta’s article To Tackle ‘Quiet Cracking,’ Start with Transformation in These 3 Areas.

Maximize Your Day: Start the Night Before

By Cathie Leimbach • October 21, 2025
Want to boost your performance? According to James Hewitt, author of Regenerative Performance , a truly high-performance day doesn't begin when your alarm goes off—it starts the night before. Hewitt shows that rest isn't a reward you earn after a busy day; it's a vital part of your work strategy. Think of sleep as a required meeting for your brain and body to repair and prepare. Without proper rest, you can't show up as your best self, and the consequences are serious. Here’s a startling fact from research: Staying awake for 17 to 19 hours straight can impair your performance as much as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% . While the legal limit for driving in the U.S. is 0.08% BAC, many countries consider 0.05% to be legally impaired. After 24 hours of wakefulness, impairment is similar to having a 0.10% BAC, which is well over the legal limit. This level of fatigue slows your reaction time by up to 50%! To avoid this dangerous drop in performance, Hewitt offers a few top tips for better sleep: Create a Buffer: Spend the hour before bed winding down. Avoid work, stressful news, and intense exercise. Manage Your Light: Dim the lights and stop using electronic screens about 30 minutes before sleep. Be Consistent: Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. By making sleep a priority, you're not just resting; you're actively preparing for success with a sharp, clear, and high-performing mind. View Maximize Your Day to see exactly how fatigue affects your performance!