Why Adaptability Matters

Cathie Leimbach • August 29, 2023

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, adaptability has become a key trait for success in the workplace. The ability to adjust and thrive in new and challenging environments is crucial for staying competitive and relevant.


Adaptability allows individuals to face unforeseen obstacles and effectively navigate through them. Whether it's a sudden shift in priorities or a change in technology, those who can quickly adapt are more likely to find solutions and remain productive.


Furthermore, adaptability fosters innovation and creativity. Openness to new ideas and approaches encourages individuals to think outside the box and find unique solutions to problems. This not only benefits the individual but also the entire organization, as it promotes growth and development.


Lastly, the importance of adaptability extends beyond personal and professional growth. Employers value adaptability as it ensures the overall success and resilience of their organization. Flexibility and adaptability are attractive qualities that enable businesses to stay agile and responsive to market demands.


In conclusion, adaptability in the workplace is crucial for personal, professional, and organizational success. By embracing change and being open to new challenges, individuals can thrive in today's dynamic work environment.


How are you adapting to meet the needs of the people in your organization?  Are you asking open-ended questions and really listening to their answers?  Are you checking that you heard them correctly?  Are you asking follow-up questions to understand their perspective more fully? 


If you aren't adapting your leadership practices to serve your employees needs, you are limiting their productivity.  To improve your ability to adapt, I encourage you to register for the SBDC sponsored Conversational Leadership course I will be leading in September.  Click here for more information.

How Leadership Growth Drives Business Performance

By Cathie Leimbach • June 17, 2025
Herminia Ibarra’s research offers compelling insight into why leadership development should be viewed as a strategic priority. Her work shows that helping leaders grow isn’t just beneficial for individuals—it significantly improves how organizations operate and perform. Ibarra explores how leadership identity evolves over time. When managers step back from daily tasks and begin thinking and acting more strategically, it creates ripple effects across the organization. Teams become more engaged, decision-making improves, and execution becomes more effective. These shifts enhance productivity, innovation, and retention—key drivers of long-term success. Her research also highlights the value of building strong leadership pipelines. Companies that invest in leaders who are adaptable, self-aware, and skilled at big-picture thinking tend to be more agile and resilient. These organizations are better equipped to respond to change and seize new opportunities. By reframing leadership development as a strategic investment rather than a soft skill, Ibarra shows how it creates measurable improvements in performance across the organization. Growth in leadership capacity leads to smarter decisions, healthier cultures, and stronger overall results. 👉 For a deeper dive into the data, click here to view Insights from Herminia Ibarra’s Research on Leadership Development and its Measurable Impact.

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.
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