How Critical Thinking Supercharges Your Leadership Skills

Cathie Leimbach • September 19, 2023

If you want to up your leadership game, it’s time to embrace critical thinking. Why? Because it enables you to make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and navigate uncertain situations with relative ease.


In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, leaders face numerous challenges daily. Critical thinking allows leaders to analyze and evaluate information objectively. It enables them to consider multiple perspectives, uncover hidden biases, and identify logical fallacies. It also helps them think outside the box and explore new possibilities.


Developing critical thinking skills takes consistent practice. One of the first steps is to constantly seek out new knowledge and information. This can be done through reading books, attending seminars, or engaging in meaningful conversations with experts in your field.


Another effective strategy is to regularly challenge yourself by asking thought-provoking questions. Don’t just accept things at face value. Dig deeper and explore different perspectives. This will expand your thinking and enhance your problem-solving abilities.


Also, seek out mentors or join networking groups where you can engage in stimulating discussions and learn from others.

Here are two strategies you can utilize to independently strengthen your ability to dig deeper and consider other people’s perspectives.


An effective way to dig deeper is to use the “Five Whys” technique. Whenever you encounter a problem or a decision, ask yourself why it is the way it is or why you are considering this decision. Once you answer that question, ask why again. Keep asking yourself why until you have dug deeper 5 times. This helps you uncover root causes and explore different angles.


Another helpful exercise is the “Red Team” approach. Put yourself in the shoes of an adversary looking to critique and challenge your ideas or plans. What concerns would they raise? This technique helps you identify weaknesses and biases in your thinking and find ways to strengthen your reasoning and your plans.


In summary, developing your critical thinking skills will help you make good decisions by gathering diverse input, viewing feedback as a valuable gift, and thinking outside the box.



What is one thing you have done in the past week to strengthen your critical thinking skills? What is one other way you could strengthen your critical thinking this week?

 

Is Absenteeism a Pain in Your Pocket?

By Cathie Leimbach • August 10, 2026
Absenteeism is expensive. Every unexpected absence costs more than a day's wages. Someone else may need to work overtime. Priorities get reshuffled, service slows, projects fall behind, and customers notice. Before long, absenteeism starts taking money right out of your pocket. That's why many organizations turn to attendance policies, incentives, disciplinary action, or tighter oversight. But what if those approaches are addressing the symptom rather than what's really going on? Most people don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide they don't care about their work. Disengagement usually happens gradually. People stop sharing ideas. They stop feeling heard. They begin doing only what's required. Eventually, some stop showing up. By the time absenteeism is brought to your attention, the real issue may have been growing for weeks—or even months. If absenteeism has become a recurring challenge, don't just ask, "How do we reduce call-offs?" Instead, ask "What happened before people stopped wanting to show up?" That question may lead you somewhere an attendance report never will—and may ultimately save far more than overtime costs. Attendance problems. Accountability. Difficult conversations. Team conflict. Every leader faces workplace people challenges, and few have been taught exactly what to do when they arise.  Talking through your challenges with others can be helpful. Ask questions of your network. Get some ideas online. Sometimes another perspective is exactly what you need to see the situation differently. You Don't Need to Go It Alone. Bring your workplace people challenges to the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic on August 17. Gain insights from Cathie Leimbach and other attendees as you explore practical ways to handle the situations you're facing. Register here for the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic

People Give More When They Know Why Their Work Matters

By Cathie Leimbach • August 4, 2026
Most employees know what they are expected to do each day. Far fewer fully understand why their work matters or how it contributes to the organization's success. Yet that understanding is one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, commitment, and performance. Gallup research consistently shows that employees who feel connected to their organization's mission and purpose are significantly more engaged, while highly engaged teams achieve stronger productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction, and retention. When people understand how their individual responsibilities help customers, coworkers, and the organization succeed, their work becomes more than a list of tasks—it has meaning. Supervisors play the key role in creating that understanding. A job description explains what to do. Leadership conversations explain why it matters. They help employees see how quality, safety, customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement all connect to the organization's goals. As work changes, priorities shift, or new challenges arise, supervisors who communicate openly help employees understand not only what is changing, but why those changes matter. Questions, discussion, and regular feedback replace assumptions with clarity and build trust. Employees who understand the purpose behind their work are more likely to make good decisions, solve problems, take initiative, and remain committed during difficult times. They also appreciate knowing that their organization is willing to invest in their future through learning and career development opportunities, even if promotion is not immediate. When supervisors consistently connect daily work to a larger purpose through meaningful conversations, employees gain direction, confidence, and motivation. They don't simply complete tasks—they understand the difference they make. And that understanding creates a workplace where engagement, performance, and retention naturally grow. Need Help with a Difficult Workplace Conversation? Great leadership doesn't happen by accident—it happens one conversation at a time. You Don't Need to Go It Alone. Bring your workplace people challenges to the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic on August 17. Gain insights from Cathie Leimbach and other attendees as you explore practical ways to handle the situations you're facing. Register here for the FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic Conversation is where leadership happens.