Leadership Blog
From Incite to Leadership founder and CEO Jo Ilfeld, read the latest on strategic vision, leading change amid complexity, and honing the way you communicate and collaborate with others. Get resources, practical strategies, research, and more.
In the midst of organizational change, ever wondered why rationality often takes a back seat? Recently, I was talking with a client about a big change effort that she and her team are immersed in. We were exploring why individuals weren’t embracing the transition logically. The conclusion we came to is that change invariably carries an emotional component, whether it promises improvement or upheaval. Even if the change is for…
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When you start a new project it is essential to set clear team expectations. You need to create a container of expectations so you know what you can expect from each other. Whether in coaching or any team collaboration, creating an expectation framework ensures clarity and productivity. These expectations could address how you want to…
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Do you ever feel like your to-do list keeps giving birth to other lists? I’ve been in the midst of launching a big client project this past month and I’m amazed at how checking one item off my to-do list seems to lead to 3 more next-step items taking its place. Have you ever felt…
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“I got the job!” is a frequent text I get from clients – who calls these days? My clients are high performers and they want to aim even higher. New jobs and roles are an occupational hazard for many successful leaders. It’s hard to keep moving up unless you’re willing to take on new challenges,…
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Entering a new role comes with its share of challenges, particularly the pressure of “proving your worth.” As an executive leadership coach, I often hear from my clients who are starting a new role they feel pressure to rush in and make sweeping changes. But I strongly caution against doing that. Ignore that voice in…
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As a leader, are you considering your time span effectively? Recently, I was reading an article about how our brains tend to focus on the near future, instead of encouraging us to look farther into the future and plan for that. As you climb the ladder from manager to executive levels, the more the organization…
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In the realm of leadership, there’s a powerful yet underrated tool that often goes overlooked: the breath. Recently, while listening to a podcast featuring Jennifer Garvey Berger, she made a profound statement: “Breath is the most underrated leadership tool in the world.” This struck a chord with me because it’s true – the breath serves…
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Do you feel like you are an imposter? Probably, because I hear it often in my executive coaching practice. It’s common for my leadership clients to question their abilities and describe themselves as feeling like imposters in their roles. But did you know that the term ‘imposter syndrome’ is a pet peeve of mine? I…
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There is healing power in saying “I’m sorry.” When we are apologizing, we may say “I accept responsibility” and express ownership of our actions but often there is a reluctance to directly say the words, “I’m sorry.” In a recent conversation with one of my executive leadership coaching clients, I encouraged them to consider the…
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Feedback is a gift. But is it though? And is it the gift you wanted? I was facilitating a team training recently where we discussed this concept and someone came up with an analogy that I had to share. Imagine feedback as a present. Some presents are a perfect fit, it’s the gift you were…
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