Posts by Jo Ilfeld, PhD
Change is Possible. But Not in the Way You Think.
People don’t change, right? They are who they are. Over the years, I have heard these words so many times from my clients and it immediately sends me into disproving mode — I am a coach, right? I spend my days finding evidence contrary to that statement. People DO change. People change their habits. People…
Read MoreBring Back Small Talk
Have you ever wondered if we should bring small talk back? Pre-COVID, I often discussed how the most important parts of meetings were the small talk moments—those informal chats while waiting for others to join or as everyone left the room. This small talk bonded people through shared experiences, like seeing the same movie or…
Read MoreAre Your Motivations Clear in Crucial Conversations?
Have you ever worried about having a crucial conversation and whether it might upset the other person or tarnish your relationship? Recently I discussed with my husband a difficult conversation he needed to have. One key aspect we talked about was his motivation for having this conversation. It’s important to be clear about your motivations…
Read MoreDo You Overcomplicate Things?
An edited version of this article appeared in Forbes Coaches Council Do you overcomplicate things? During a recent strategy session with a client, his mind spiraled the minute a strategy was mentioned. His thoughts went into overdrive, trying to formulate a complete plan ready to execute. This led to his next realization that he would…
Read MoreLeading In Complexity: Landing a Max 9
Leading in complexity is paramount. In turbulent times, it’s crucial to remain steady. Nothing illustrates that better than the recent incident with the Max 9s, where part of the airplane malfunctioned mid-flight. I used this scenario recently with a client, who was struggling with a major reorg they were overseeing. They expressed how hard it…
Read MoreTreat Strategic Time Like a Doctor’s Appointment
Do you want a tip on how to safeguard your strategic time? During a recent conversation with one of my clients about blocking off strategic time in the calendar, a lightbulb moment occurred for me. This particular client was sharing her struggle of preserving her blocked-off time and how it quickly vanishes like pixie dust…
Read MoreThe AI Train Is Leaving the Station. Will Your Executive Team Be On It?
As executives, you are responsible for positioning your companies to stay relevant and stay ahead of the technologies that will drive your industries to the next evolution. One of the most important new technologies within the last few years has been the emergence of AI as a technology poised to change the way many companies…
Read MoreHow to Get out of To-Do List Hell
In the midst of “to-do list hell,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and trapped in a never-ending cycle of tasks. Do you feel like you’re not making the impact you want as a strategic leader because your to-do list keeps giving birth to other lists? Well, I have a few suggestions to get you out…
Read MoreStrengths Analysis: A Key Question You Are Missing
When analyzing your strengths, what’s one question you probably don’t ask yourself? It’s common to assess our strengths and weaknesses through tools like a SWOT analysis. I often do my own for myself and my business at the end of the year. However, amidst this process, there’s one crucial question often overlooked: How do we…
Read MoreWhy Is Change So Emotional?
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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