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.

A Readiness Quiz & Guide To Determine If Leadership Coaching Would Work For You

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | December 17, 2015 |
readiness quiz to determine if career coaching would work for you

Here’s a typical conversation I have at parties: Person: “So what do you do?” Me: “I’m an executive leadership coach.” Person:“Hmm, so what do you do exactly?” Me: “Well I’m really great at helping people improve their interpersonal interactions and relationships at work. I tend to work with corporate and business leaders who are very…

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Good Lurks in Shadowing

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | December 3, 2015 |

By: Amy Donovan, CFO Alameda County Community Food Bank Editor’s note: I’ve had the true privilege of working with Amy for about 9 months now, so when she decided to write up her experiences, I was honored she wanted them to be shared widely with others. She shares so much great learning that many others…

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Do You Ever Feel Culturally Outdated?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | November 12, 2015 |

Do You Ever Feel Culturally Outdated? I do! I recently went back home in Chicago at the same time as one of my oldest friends. We met for breakfast and as I was modifying my order, I made a joke to the waitress (who was definitely younger than me) that I was just like Sally.

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How Honest Should You Be at Work?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | November 5, 2015 |
how honest should you be at work

Recently, on a trip home, I found a newly framed note in my Dad’s study. It read: Art, I know it was apparent I didn’t like hearing it, but I needed to. Thanks for saying it. When I asked him about it – he told me this story from 35 years ago in his career.

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One Big Team Challenge

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | October 22, 2015 |
one big team challenge

A recent observation about teamwork comes courtesy of my mother-in-law. My son was playing in a local tennis tournament recently. He plays singles and doubles, but for tournament’s doubles, they pair you randomly with another player your age.

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Would you like to be upward-bound in your career?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | October 15, 2015 |
would you like to be upward bound in your career

I’m part of a great coaching bookclub and our last pick is a fabulous read for managers and leaders alike who want more progress, more results and more leadership opportunities. “Act Like A Leader, Think Like A Leader” by Herminia Ibarra was written by a business school professor at INSEAD who provides both evidence and…

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Are You Ever Traveling Through Foreign Territory at Work?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | October 9, 2015 |

I’ve been vacationing in the UK these past couple of weeks – so in lieu of a full article, I’m sharing my top 5 lessons learned as a “stranger in a strange land.”

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What’s Success Got To Do With It?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | October 1, 2015 |
what's success got to do with it

As I sit here writing, it is hot, hot, hot weather outside. So let me tell you a story instead of complaining. (It’s one you might have read before – but humor me.)

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Are You in the Bay Area?

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 24, 2015 |
are you in the bay area

It feels like the height of immodesty to recommend yourself but here goes. . . I’m co-leading a workshop on October 14th for East Bay Haas Alumni (but all others are welcome) on Moving Up the Career Ladder: 3 Skills You Need to Stand-Out and Get Promoted. It’s being hosted by the Law firm, Wendel,…

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Fun Team-Building Activities (For People Who Hate Team-Building!)

By Jo Ilfeld, PhD | September 17, 2015 |

Have you ever noticed that a lot of the people looking forward to team-building and company off-sites are the really outgoing employees?

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