Getting Clear on How

Cathie Leimbach • October 29, 2024

Only 6% of people who set goals or try to change habits succeed. Why? According to David Horsager, the major challenge is not identifying ‘what’ they want to achieve, but rather ‘how’ they’ll get there. Change is tough, and it’s easier when broken down into small, manageable steps.


For example, if you aim to lose 30 pounds by March 31, 2025, your first ‘how’ might be to avoid candy and baked goods, and drink 4 glasses of water daily for two weeks. Then ask, ‘How’ will I avoid candy and baked goods? A good answer: throw out any candy and baked goods in your home. ‘How’ will I drink 4 glasses of water daily? Decide to drink a glass within 5 minutes of waking up, and at set times throughout the day – perhaps 12:00 noon, 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm.


Once you have determined ‘how’ you will make the desired changes in your life, get ready to start implementing the how immediately or the next day. Waiting reduces the chances you will ever get started. When you have a plan of ‘how’ you are going to proceed and you start following the plan, you start trusting yourself. You start believing that you are capable of changing – that achieving a goal or having better habits is realistic.



The key is to get specific with your "how." Define who is going to do what, when. Then you’ll find yourself far more likely to reach your goals and create lasting change.

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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