Start the Year by Finding Your Purpose

Cathie Leimbach • January 9, 2023

“If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.”   T.D. Jakes

“If you have felt hopeless, hold on! Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you begin to live it on purpose.”  Rick Warren

We are all wired differently. We have different interests and different strengths. What one person finds tedious others love to do. When we are in flow or in the zone, using our strengths in an area of interest, we are happier and more successful. We have positive energy which contributes to a positive workplace culture and strong results.

Everyone has something to offer to this world.  When we figure out our passion – something that we love a lot – and determine how we can leverage this passion to serve others, we have found our purpose. This positions us to add great value to the world around us and enjoy doing it!

Many people can’t articulate their passion nor their purpose. They go through life day-by-day without a feeling of self-worth. They don’t feel inspired. Society misses out on what these individuals could offer the world around them.

If you don’t know your passion or purpose, this could be good time to identify them. Take time to think about the things you really enjoy and how these interests can be exercised in your work or life. Position yourself for a wonderful new year.

  1. Put on your thinking cap and jot down: 
  2. What you liked to do in your spare time when you were 10 to 12 years old
  3. What you like doing now
  4. What you would like to be doing more of

   2.  Review the three lists and identify a theme or interest that is common to 2 or 3 of your lists. This is likely a passion for you.

   3.  How could you add value to your organization, community, family, or friends by leveraging this passion?  This contribution to the world around you could be your purpose in life.


What will you do in 2023 to increase your joy in life by exercising your passion and purpose?

The Futility of Leadership Perfection

By Cathie Leimbach • May 26, 2026
Many leaders quietly carry the pressure that they are supposed to have every answer. Be decisive. Stay strong. Never show uncertainty. Keep pushing forward no matter what. The problem is that approach often creates distance inside organizations instead of trust. In The Imperfect CEO , which was released on May 19, Jim Brown challenges the idea that leadership effectiveness comes from appearing flawless. Instead, he makes the case that healthy organizations are built by leaders willing to lead with clarity, humility, accountability, and honesty. Larry Siff, CEO of Neptune Advisors and C-Level Community, shared this perspective: “In The Imperfect CEO , Jim Brown doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of being a real person in charge, yet he shows how that honesty becomes a source of organizational health.” Edna Lopez, former Senior Executive at Gateway and Amway, wrote: “In every organization I've led, one truth has been constant: culture determines whether strategy ever sees daylight. The Imperfect CEO gets to the heart of that reality.” That connection between leadership and culture is exactly why the ideas in this book matter. In Conversational Management, we often see organizations struggle , not because leaders lack intelligence or effort, but because communication patterns quietly create confusion, defensiveness, disengagement, or fear. The healthiest organizations usually are not led by leaders who are aiming for perfection. They are led by leaders who know perfection is elusive. They acknowledge their limitations and the benefits of team collaboration. They humbly create honest conversations, clear expectations, accountability, and trust — even when it feels uncomfortable.  The wait is over for a down-to-earth book that dares to reveal common leadership imperfections and provides support for enhancing leadership impact! The Imperfect CEO is now available!

The Leadership Problem Most Companies Don’t Address

By Cathie Leimbach • May 19, 2026
Many organizations assume their biggest challenges are rapidly changing technology, customer retention, and employee initiative. But quite often, the root cause is people leadership problems. That’s one reason The Imperfect CEO by Jim Brown is so timely. Releasing today, May 19, the book explores how leaders build healthier organizations not by pretending to have all the answers, but by creating cultures grounded in trust, clarity, accountability, and meaningful conversations. Brian Besanceney, Chair, Board of Orlando Health, Inc., described the book this way: “Through vivid stories, real-world examples, and a model grounded in collaborative culture, Jim Brown gives leaders permission to wrestle honestly with the generational divides, misaligned targets, and cultural fractures that can too often sabotage high-potential organizations.” Greg Apple, CEO of Amgine.ai, connected the book to leadership beyond business alone: “In a fast-moving company, culture is everything. Jim Brown’s principles have helped our team lead with greater clarity and alignment. The Imperfect CEO distills those lessons brilliantly. Every leader should read it.” What stands out to me is how closely this book aligns with the principles behind Conversational Management. Healthy cultures are rarely built through policies alone. They are built through the quality of everyday leadership conversations — how expectations are clarified, how accountability is handled, how feedback is delivered, and how trust is strengthened over time. That’s why leadership development cannot stay theoretical. Culture changes conversation by conversation.  The Imperfect CEO is an easy-to-read business fable that illustrates common people leadership challenges and provides suggestions for overcoming them. Order your copy today and start building healthier leadership conversations inside your organization.