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Preparing for a Great 2024

Cathie Leimbach • December 26, 2023

The New Year is quickly approaching. Now is the time to think about how you are going to make it a great one.

Let’s start by briefly reflecting on 2023. What experiences contributed to your happiness and joy this year? What achievements helped you feel successful? What are your disappointments with 2023? What would you like more or less of in the coming year? Jot down what you would like to Continue doing, Stop doing, and Start doing in 2024. 

Then, set goals for the 3 most important things you wish to Continue and/or Start. Rather than having a goal to Stop something, it is best for the goal to be what you are going to Start doing to overcome the behavior that you wish to Stop. It is okay to set more than 3 goals, but it is important to work on just 3 or fewer change goals at once. Humans have limited will power so if we spread it thin over more than 3 change goals we may not achieve any of them.

Make your goals clear and vivid. Clear goals are SMART goals. They state Specifically what you want to achieve. If your goal is to improve your health, are you going to do it by eating better or being more physically active. Be sure the goal is Measurable such as working out for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week? Ask yourself if these things are Achievable for you. If your schedule is tight and you haven’t been exercising at all, maybe 20 minutes per day is a better goal for the first month. R is for Relevant. Does improving your health even matter to you? If you aren’t bought into being healthier you aren’t going to make exercise a priority. And set Time boundaries on your goal? Perhaps you will start on January 1 and be consistent at this goal every day of the month.

Also, making your goals vivid increases the chances of success. What will it look like and feel like on January 31 if you exercise every day? Jot down your answers and read them every day. Reminding yourself regularly that the reason you are going to the gym daily is to look trimmer and feel more energetic will increase your motivation to stick to your plan!

What are 3 goals you have for 2024? Is at least one of them a change goal – something you are going to start doing differently to improve at least one aspect of your life? Write your 3 priority goals down and post them where you will see them every day to keep you on track. Best wishes for 2024.

The Four Cs of Effective Conversation

By Cathie Leimbach • February 18, 2025
Based on “Four Cs of Effective Conversation” - The Ohio State University Leadership Center. Ever walked out of a meeting thinking everything was settled, only to realize later that key actions didn’t happen, or alignment was off? That’s because effective conversations require four key elements: clarity, candor, commitment, and completion. Clarity: Make Sure Everyone’s on the Same Page Miscommunication is one of the biggest productivity killers. It’s easy to assume people understand what’s being said, but without clear expectations, mistakes happen. Take the time to check for understanding—what’s obvious to you might not be obvious to everyone else. Candor: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say Honest, direct conversations build strong teams. When people hold back their real thoughts or concerns, issues fester, and progress stalls. Creating a culture of candor—where people feel safe to speak openly—makes teams more effective and relationships stronger. Commitment: Get Specific About Next Steps A vague “I’ll handle it” often leads to dropped balls. When commitments are specific—who will do what by when—things actually get done. Leaders sometimes hesitate to ask for deadlines, fearing it feels like micromanagement, but clear commitments drive accountability without overstepping. Completion: Don’t Move On Too Soon Before wrapping up a discussion, check that everything’s been addressed. Did we answer all key questions? Does everyone know what happens next? Ensuring a topic is fully covered prevents confusion later and keeps teams aligned.  Mastering these four Cs can turn routine workplace conversations into powerful tools for productivity and collaboration.

Improve Leadership to Boost Workplace Productivity

By Cathie Leimbach • February 11, 2025
Today's workplaces are changing, and managers play a key role in increasing workplace morale and productivity. Research shows that managers impact 70% of what affects how engaged and effective employees are. Surveys show many employees are dissatisfied. They say that expectations are unclear, they don’t feel respected by management, they don’t get enough training, and they don't see how their work matters. With the increasing number of seniors and fewer people in the workforce, increased productivity is essential. Strong leadership is more important than ever. Managers need to develop skills to help their teams succeed. This includes: • Setting clear goals, • Showing appreciation, • Providing good training, and • Helping employees see the purpose of their work. The innovative Conversational Management program helps managers build these leadership skills. It focuses on the leadership practices which boost engagement and productivity. Managers can participate in a virtual Test Drive to see how these strategies can improve teamwork and performance. If you want better results and productivity, REGISTER HERE to join a Test Drive and learn about this highly effective leadership approach! 
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