Preparing for a Great 2024

Cathie Leimbach • December 26, 2023

The New Year is quickly approaching. Now is the time to think about how you are going to make it a great one.

Let’s start by briefly reflecting on 2023. What experiences contributed to your happiness and joy this year? What achievements helped you feel successful? What are your disappointments with 2023? What would you like more or less of in the coming year? Jot down what you would like to Continue doing, Stop doing, and Start doing in 2024. 

Then, set goals for the 3 most important things you wish to Continue and/or Start. Rather than having a goal to Stop something, it is best for the goal to be what you are going to Start doing to overcome the behavior that you wish to Stop. It is okay to set more than 3 goals, but it is important to work on just 3 or fewer change goals at once. Humans have limited will power so if we spread it thin over more than 3 change goals we may not achieve any of them.

Make your goals clear and vivid. Clear goals are SMART goals. They state Specifically what you want to achieve. If your goal is to improve your health, are you going to do it by eating better or being more physically active. Be sure the goal is Measurable such as working out for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week? Ask yourself if these things are Achievable for you. If your schedule is tight and you haven’t been exercising at all, maybe 20 minutes per day is a better goal for the first month. R is for Relevant. Does improving your health even matter to you? If you aren’t bought into being healthier you aren’t going to make exercise a priority. And set Time boundaries on your goal? Perhaps you will start on January 1 and be consistent at this goal every day of the month.

Also, making your goals vivid increases the chances of success. What will it look like and feel like on January 31 if you exercise every day? Jot down your answers and read them every day. Reminding yourself regularly that the reason you are going to the gym daily is to look trimmer and feel more energetic will increase your motivation to stick to your plan!

What are 3 goals you have for 2024? Is at least one of them a change goal – something you are going to start doing differently to improve at least one aspect of your life? Write your 3 priority goals down and post them where you will see them every day to keep you on track. Best wishes for 2024.

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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