Vision Provides a Clear Target

Cathie Leimbach • January 20, 2025

Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman's, takes vision statements seriously. For him, a vision statement is not just a few lines; it’s often a page or two long, painting a vivid and inspiring picture of the future. He believes that a good vision should describe what people will see and feel when they achieve their goals. It should include details about the environment, the atmosphere, and the experiences that make it special.


Creating a powerful vision is essential for success. It needs to be inspiring and strategically sound, guiding everyone involved toward a common goal. Ari emphasizes that writing down this vision is just the first step. It’s equally important to communicate it effectively so that everyone understands and shares the excitement.


Now, Ari trains others to develop their own vision statements that inspire success. He encourages people to think deeply about their dreams and aspirations, helping them craft visions that motivate and unite their teams. By focusing on a clear, inspiring vision, individuals and organizations can create a strong sense of purpose and direction. Ari Weinzweig’s approach reminds us that a well-crafted vision can be a powerful tool for achieving great things.



As you step into 2025, take an hour or two in a quiet, comfortable place to think about what would make the year ahead your best year yet. What do you want your spiritual life to be like? Your home life? Your work life? If you had an ideal life, what would that feel like? What would you experience? What would you accomplish? Jot down your answers to these questions and review them every day. Staying focused on the important things in your life, will bring more joy to you and enable you to show more love to others. May focusing on your Vision help you experience a Happy New Year!

Connectional Intelligence: The Power Skill Behind Big Results

By Cathie Leimbach • December 9, 2025
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.

Psychological Safety Isn’t About Smooth Sailing — It’s About Real Growth

By Cathie Leimbach • December 2, 2025
When people hear “psychological safety,” they often imagine a workplace where everything feels easy and conflict-free. But that’s not what true psychological safety is — and it’s not what high-performing teams need. As leadership expert R. Michael Anderson points out, work and life include tough days, unexpected problems, and moments that stretch us. A psychologically safe workplace doesn’t remove those realities. Instead, it gives people the confidence and support to face them. A safe workplace is one where employees can struggle without fear of embarrassment… try new skills without being put down… ask questions, make mistakes, and keep moving forward. It’s a place where people know their leader is behind them — not by preventing discomfort, but by helping them learn through it. Psychological safety isn’t about coddling or creating a predictable bubble. Real safety looks like this: · You may hear difficult feedback, but it helps you grow. · You are encouraged to take risks, and supported when you slip. · You are stretched beyond your comfort zone, and guided along the way. When leaders create this balance — support plus stretch — people build resilience, confidence, and higher performance. To explore more of these ideas, visit R. Michael Anderson's website .