The Year’s Not Over—But This Moment Might Be
Aug 27, 2025
Here’s the truth most leaders won’t say out loud:
You’re already running out of time.
Not time in the year—but time to lead differently before 2025 becomes another blur of meetings, fires, and “maybe next quarters.”
We hear it from food industry leaders all the time:
“We meant to shift the culture this year… but we got caught up in the day-to-day.”
The pace of this industry doesn’t slow down. But leadership is a choice you make in moments—not quarters. And this season? It might be your last best shot to reset before the year writes its own ending.
This is the season that defines leaders.
In our work with clients, we often share our favorite John Maxwell’s quote:
“If behaviors aren’t changing, you aren’t leading.”
And behaviors won’t shift without intention. Without alignment. Without support.
As fall approaches, many teams will buckle down and brace for the Q4 push. But the strongest leaders? They pause. They ask: Who do I want to be at the end of this year? And more importantly: What will my team say it felt like to be led by me?
If your team isn’t ready, your strategy won’t matter.
By now, you’ve likely set ambitious goals—operational improvements, culture initiatives, development plans. But are your people ready to deliver?
According to Gallup, only 23% of employees strongly agree that they can apply their strengths every day at work, which directly impacts performance, motivation, and retention.
And a recent Forbes study found that companies who invest in leadership development are 4.2 times more likely to outperform their peers financially.
It’s not too late to course-correct. But it is time to act.
This is where Catalyst comes in.
Our leadership programs meet people where they are—with the tools, coaching, and clarity they need to lead with confidence, connection, and courage.
Not in theory. In the middle of real-life, fast-paced, high-pressure work.
That’s where leadership patterns get built—or broken.
Whether you're developing:
- First-time managers who need structure and confidence
- Mid-level leaders navigating influence and communication
- Seasoned executives shaping culture and strategy
…there’s a Catalyst path built for this season.
“I didn’t think I had the time for this. Turns out, I didn’t have the time to keep leading the way I was.”
— Catalyst Bootcamp participant
Still not sure what your next step is?
Start with the Readiness Compass Tool—a fast, honest scan of where your team stands. It’s the clearest way to choose what kind of support will actually stick.
📥 [Download the Compass Tool]
🚀 [Explore Fall Leadership Programs]
Because this year’s not over.
But your window to lead with more clarity and impact? It might be.
References
- McKinsey & Company. (2023). The state of organizations 2023: Ten shifts transforming organizations.
Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com - Harvard Business Review. (2022). Change management requires leadership clarity.
Retrieved from https://hbr.org - Prosci. (2020). Best Practices in Change Management – 11th Edition.
Retrieved from https://www.prosci.com - Maxwell, J. C. (2013). The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential.
New York: Center Street.
