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Create a Happy Holidays Mood at Work

Cathie Leimbach • December 20, 2022

It is the holiday season. We talk about this being the season of joy and peace. Yet, as leaders, how well are we modeling joy and peace at work. 

For many of us, the Thanksgiving to New Years’ period is the busiest season in our personal lives.  Family, friends, and the community often put more demands on our time. In the retail and food service industries it is also the busiest season at work. Businesses with a December 31st year end want a lot of loose ends tidied up the end of the month. These overlapping pressures can cause added pressure rather than offering us a time of joy and peace.

Great leaders are alert to the needs of their employees and take actions that create an uplifting environment where people feel valued and appreciated, limiting their workplace stress during this holiday season.

Here are a few things leaders can do to enable employees to feel joy and peace during this busy time:

  • Prioritize work-life balance. If this is not the high demand season for your business, don’t require or even request your employees to work overtime. If your client demands require long hours this month, ask employees when their special family and friends events are likely to take place and make every effort to not schedule them at these times.
  • Make time to connect with your team. Make a point of having 1-on-1s with all of your direct reports to thank them for a couple of things they are doing well at work and to ask about their personal celebrations. Don’t take phone calls or respond to texts during these conversations.
  • Create a festive opportunity at work. Decorate the office and/or have a special employee event so the workplace team can have some fun together.

As leaders, we have the power to enhance the mood at work, impacting employees' satisfaction on the job and in their personal lives. During this holiday season, let’s be intentional about leading in a way that helps out team members experience joy and peace.   

Making Change Stick

By Cathie Leimbach • March 4, 2025
Change is one of those things that’s easier said than done, right? We all love the idea of progress and innovation, but when it comes down to actually shaking things up in our workplaces—well, let's just say not everyone is on board from the get-go. Did you know that around 70% of the time, those big change efforts in organizations flop? It’s not because people hate new ideas. It’s more about feeling unsure when things aren’t predictable anymore. We like our routines! So, how do you actually make change stick? Well, it’s all about how you sell it. Leaders need to really explain why these changes matter, not just for the company’s bottom line, but for everyone involved. Keeping everyone in the loop and being straight-up about what’s happening can build trust and calm those nerves. Here’s the secret sauce: get your team involved early on. Show them some quick wins to get everyone excited. And don’t ignore the stuff that’s gonna hurt a bit—acknowledge those losses and help people through them. Oh, and don’t forget the training and support they need to actually succeed in this new setup. The best changes aren’t about tearing everything down and starting over. They’re about building on what’s already great and moving toward something even better. When people feel like they’re part of the plan, not just watching it happen, that’s when magic really starts to happen. So, think about it: how does your company handle change? Got a game plan for making sure your leaders and teams are all on the same page? If you’re looking to level up your leadership skills and tackle change head-on, drop Cathie a line at cathie@agonleadership.com or shoot a text to 440-320-3113 with “Workplace Leadership” in the subject line. Let’s chat about how to make your next big change a smooth ride for everyone involved.

Reaching Your Dreams by Focusing on Clear Goals

By Cathie Leimbach • February 25, 2025
At just 19 years old, Manjit Minhas embarked on an ambitious journey to start her own wholesale liquor business. Her success didn’t happen overnight; it was the result of careful planning and determination. One of her key strategies was setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This method helped her clarify what she wanted to achieve and keep her focus sharp. Daily reviews of her goals were also crucial. By regularly checking her progress, she could make adjustments and stay on track. Manjit understood that surrounding herself with experienced mentors made a huge difference. These mentors provided invaluable advice, sharing their insights and helping her navigate challenges she faced in the industry. Additionally, creative negotiation played a vital role in her business dealings. Manjit learned to approach negotiations with flexibility and open-mindedness, allowing her to find win-win solutions that benefited both her and her partners. This combination of setting clear goals, seeking mentorship, and honing her negotiation skills not only set her apart from others but also laid the foundation for her successful business. Today, Manjit Minhas serves as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs everywhere, showing that hard work and smart strategies can lead to incredible achievements.
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