Posts by Jo Ilfeld, PhD
Clear Roles EQUALS Happier Teams
I’ve been doing a lot of research recently on toxic leadership and how we can lessen toxic behaviors. One of the biggest contributors to workplace toxicity is poor work design—and lack of clear roles and responsibilities is often at the heart of it. Whether it’s an unclear handoff, an assumption about a deadline, or a…
Read MoreDraw a Map to Clarity in Your Next Task
This year my family is hosting an exchange student from Spain and it was her back-to-school night at our local high school, Berkeley High, which happens to have thousands of students. Even a passing period of students alone is crazy and now there would be a passing period with parents and sometimes two parents for…
Read MoreLeading with Values: Reenergize Your Work
Have you ever had a situation at work that totally exhausted or completely frustrated you? Feeling demoralized at work may stem from a deeper issue — your core values might not be aligned with the situation at hand. Recently, I worked with a client who was exhausted by a work challenge. After some reflection, we…
Read MoreMastering Executive Presence: Start with Clarity
Have you ever wondered how you master executive presence? One of the most important aspects is the ability to communicate effectively. Recently, I was in a meeting where someone shared a story filled with interesting details. However, as I listened, I realized that the point of the story wasn’t clear from the beginning. People love…
Read MoreBest Advice for New Grads
An edited version of this article appeared in Forbes Coaches Council If you could go back in time, what advice would you have given your newly graduated self? I wrote this latest newsletter this past summer when I was in Carmel for my third annual “work-cation” with my husband. I’ve come to value this time…
Read MoreWhy Am I Talking? Using WAIT to Improve Meetings
Have you heard of the acronym WAIT? I’ve heard it before but it was used recently in a meeting I was facilitating with one of my clients and their managers, and it reminded me just how good it is so I had to share. If you’re someone who when you’re in meetings gets swept up…
Read MoreListening to Your Inner Voice
What do you do when the Greek course around you doesn’t agree with your gut feeling? In our fast-paced world, finding time to hear your inner voice can be a challenge, yet it’s essential for making decisions that feel true to who you are. Recently, I spoke with a client who had been offered an…
Read MoreHow to Properly Honor A Valued Colleague As They Leave
This article on how to honor a colleague when they leave was first published by Forbes When my second son left for college last summer, it was tough. Unlike my own big brother (sorry, big bro) who gave my mom the worst summer she’d ever had as he fought for his independence and separation before…
Read MoreRethinking “It’s Just Who I Am”
“It’s just who I am.” If you’ve been listening to my learning snacks or reading my blogs, you’ve probably heard me rail against the sentence. I just don’t like it because it limits growth and flexibility. I was discussing this phrase with a leadership client of mine and I came to realize that there’s another…
Read MorePay It Forward: The Hidden Value of Accepting Help
Do you hesitate when accepting help at work because you fear being indebted to someone? Don’t worry, most of us feel that way. Recently, I was attending one of my colleague groups where we discussed the issue of accepting help, and how reluctant we are to accept it because we’re not sure what the giver…
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