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.

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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