Leadership Blog

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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.

The Power of a Best Friend at Work

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 26, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on workplace friendships the image shows two women at work smiling and chatting.

Do you have a best friend at work? Over the summer, when I was working remotely in Carmel, I found myself connecting with one of my close work friends. We shared a Zoom screen, working on our tasks while holding each other accountable. This experience got me thinking about the research that highlights the significant…

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Plan Your Week for Success

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 19, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on plan your week the image shows a calendar on a wall with a clock

Ever reached the end of the week and wondered, “Did I really get anything done?”  I used to feel the same way so when I read productivity expert, Laura Vanderkam’s book “Tranquility by Tuesday,” I was inspired by the valuable suggestion she offered. Use Fridays to plan your week ahead. While I occasionally do it…

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Comfort Zone or Stretch Choice

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 12, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on stretch choice the image shows a chalk drawing of footprints stepping outside of a circle

Have you ever wondered if having more choices can sometimes lead to worse decisions? I came across two really interesting pieces of data recently, one of which I came across during parent orientation for my son’s college he’s attending in the Fall. Research shows that when it comes to choosing roommates or work arrangements, making…

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Talking About The Weather Gets My Approval 

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 5, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on talking about the weather the image shows pictures of different weather conditions

If you have found yourself starting a conversation talking about the weather, don’t worry, it’s not because you lack ideas.  This is how I initially judged myself when I realized I was starting several conversations with my clients asking them about the weather.  How could I talk about such a trite topic, I asked myself. …

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5 Game-Changing Leadership Lessons – Steph Curry Style

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | August 29, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on leadship lesson Steph Curry style, the image two hands holding a basketball.

This article originally appeared in Forbes I’m a huge Warriors fan. During the 20-ish years I’ve lived in Oakland, they have risen from a forgotten team to 4-time NBA Champions playing with 2-time-time NBA MVP, Steph Curry. Having watched Steph Curry play over the last decade it’s been amazing to witness his journey as a player, and as…

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How Can You Move the Needle on Things That Matter Most to You?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | August 22, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on change the image shows a jigsaw puzzle piece with the word change written on it.

This article originally appeared in Forbes My client, Xander, decided to work out every morning to reach his fitness goals. But he was immediately faced with a problem. His European colleagues kept putting 7 am meetings onto his calendar (despite the fact he blocked it out), while Asia asked for 9 pm alignment meetings. Despite…

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Managing Workplace Outbursts: Is It a Draymond Green Moment?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | August 15, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on workplace outbursts the image shows a basketball being shot into the net.

Are you a basketball fan? Even if you aren’t, I think you’ll find this helpful. Recently, I had an insightful conversation with a client about handling unexpected workplace outbursts in professional relationships. The client shared an experience concerning a colleague. Their professional relationship had been progressing well until an unexpected outburst changed the atmosphere. Although…

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Your Voice is Powerful. Use It! 

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | August 8, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on voice messages the image shows a woman using a megaphone.

Do you use voice messages? These days it is SO hard to find time to connect with people. Schedules never align. People are always in meetings. Yes, Slack and other messaging apps are convenient but there’s nothing like the power of your own voice to convey nuance and true meaning. And with platforms like WhatsApp, leaving…

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Are You an Active Participant in Meetings?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | July 26, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on being an active participant in meetings the image shows a woman sitting in front of a team on Zoom with an engaged presence,

When you’re in a larger meeting, how much do you ask of yourself to be an active participant? I recently had the opportunity to present at two virtual conferences back-to-back. The contrast between the two experiences got me thinking about the power of being an active participant and how it can transform your meeting experience.…

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Is It Time to Reevaluate Your Context?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | July 19, 2023 |
For this article by Jo Ilfeld, Executive Leadership Coach on context and shifting priorities the image shows a woman sitting in front of a computer screen bored

Have you found yourself doing something without knowing why you’re doing it? Are you finding that the things that were important to you, no longer seem to have meaning? Recently I had a thought-provoking conversation with a fellow coach about how easily the context of our actions can shift without us even noticing. As circumstances…

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