The Courage to Overcome Divisiveness

Cathie Leimbach • May 24, 2022

We are living in very divisive times. Do we have the courage to overcome the division that stresses our communities and our lives?

Currently, divisiveness in the United States is the greatest it has been since the Civil War, says Chuck Mingo, the founder of Living Undivided. We tend to be afraid of the unknown and afraid to ask questions about things we aren’t familiar with. This fear often results in us lashing out against the realities around us that we done understand. Mingo says this fear is unconstructive, unrelenting, and unresponsive. He has a passion to help people overcome this fear by having the courage to reach out and collaborate with those who are different than us.

Mingo and others suggest that the opposite of fear is courage. Perhaps the best way to overcome fear is to have the courage to get to know people who are different than us. We need to move through our fear courageously, not skirt around the things that we are afraid of.

Courageous love may be the most effective way to overcome the fear of differences.  We can love people who aren’t like us at work, in our families, and in the community if we believe that they are worthy human beings and take time to get to know them. This allows us to understand each other, which usually leads to us finding common ground. Then we can build bridges that reduce divisiveness so everyone can have a less stressful and more meaningful life.

When we live with fear and indifference, we let poor conditions and situations thrive. However, when we have the courage to take the time to listen to each other’s stories and perspectives, we usually discover that we can live side by side without being fearful.

Within your leadership context, where could you be exhibiting courageous love? Where can you build bridges to understanding that add value to your life and the lives of those around you?  

Thanksgiving: Beyond the Turkey and Thank-You Notes

By Cathie Leimbach • November 25, 2025
As leaders, we know Thanksgiving week is prime time for employee appreciation. But here's the thing—a generic "thanks everyone" email hits differently for different people. Dr. Paul White's research on the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace offers a smarter approach. Just like people receive love differently, your team members feel valued in distinct ways: through words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, tangible gifts, or physical touch (think handshakes and high-fives in professional settings). That all-star on your team? She might light up from a handwritten note praising her specific contributions. Your behind-the-scenes problem-solver might feel more appreciated if you help him out by clearing his schedule for an afternoon so he can tackle his backlog. This Thanksgiving, skip the one-size-fits-all approach. Take ten minutes to consider how each team member prefers to be recognized. It's not about grand gestures—it's about matching your gratitude to what actually resonates with each individual. When appreciation lands in someone's preferred language, it doesn't just feel nice. It builds loyalty, boosts morale, and reminds people why they show up every day. That's something worth being thankful for. Curious about what languages are preferred? Click here to learn more!

The Power of Strategic Choice: Making Room for What Matters

By Cathie Leimbach • November 10, 2025
In most organizations, the instinct is to add —more goals, more projects, more meetings. But as Juliet Funt, founder of the Juliet Funt Group, teaches in her Strategic Choice process, real leadership strength lies in deciding what to stop doing . Strategic Choice is the intentional narrowing of priorities—cutting away the clutter so teams can focus on what truly drives results. It’s a disciplined act of letting go: saying no to good ideas so there’s room for the great ones. Funt’s approach challenges leaders to pause, think, and create the mental and operational space their people need to perform at their best. By removing unnecessary tasks and misplaced effort, leaders make room for precision, innovation, and real thinking time. This isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most. When businesses adopt this mindset, they replace overwhelm with clarity and regain control of their time, energy, and outcomes. For small to mid-sized companies, embracing Strategic Choice can transform busyness into focus—and that focus is where sustainable growth begins. Want a quick visual overview? View Strategic Choice: Making Room for What Matters to see how this process helps leaders focus on what truly drives results.