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!

How Managers Drive 70% of Performance

By Cathie Leimbach • February 17, 2026
Most CEOs focus on strategy, systems, and talent. But the biggest driver of performance is already in place: managers. Manager behavior influences about 70% of team engagement and results. What happens in everyday conversations matters more than perks, pay, or policies. Managers either multiply energy or drain it. Clear, supportive managers raise performance. Avoiding, inconsistent managers quietly lower it. The good news? Small habits make a big difference: Clarifying expectations Giving timely feedback Addressing issues early Reinforcing priorities These moments add up. Instead of telling managers to “motivate people,” try asking: Where might expectations be unclear? Where is inconsistency allowed? What conversation is being avoided? When managers improve just a little, results improve a lot. 👉 Join our 60-minute Leadership Conversation to explore how everyday manager habits quietly shape engagement and results.

Why Engagement Isn’t About Perks

By Cathie Leimbach • February 10, 2026
When engagement drops, many organizations reach for perks—rewards, programs, or incentives. These can create a short lift, but they rarely solve the real issue. Engagement starts with expectations. Most people want to do good work. What gets in the way isn’t motivation—it’s uncertainty. When priorities shift, roles feel unclear, or success means different things to different leaders, people disengage quietly. Leaders often don’t realize they’re contributing to this. Vague direction, inconsistent follow-through, or assuming “they already know” leaves teams guessing. Over time, guessing turns into frustration—and frustration turns into disengagement. Strong engagement cultures focus on leadership basics: Clear priorities Shared definitions of success Aligned expectations Consistent reinforcement When expectations are clear, people move with confidence. They take ownership, collaborate better, and stay engaged because they know where they’re headed. Perks can support engagement—but only after clarity is in place. 👉 Read our full article on Why Engagement Starts With Expectations to turn clarity into a real advantage.