As the first month of the first year of the new decade drew to a close it wasn’t just my clients thinking about “what’s next”.   Perhaps because I am celebrating eight years in business this month - wow, really, EIGHT?! - I’ve found myself drawn to every possible reflective, strategizing and planning exercise I could get my hands on.  While I’m still digging, pondering and reflecting I suddenly feel amazingly clear, focused and reenergized, I believe thanks to my…

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I have a confession to make – I am completely and utterly in love, bordering on obsession! I am experiencing a crazy mix of emotions on hourly - sometimes momentary basis – excitement, delight, nervousness, fear, gratitude and more excitement. My mind is constantly racing. It’s even beginning to affect my dreams! I envision a huge room filled to capacity with caring, fun, generous folks who come together to connect, celebrate, and fulfill dreams of some very special people!

If you’ve been…

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When it comes to technology, I am generally one of the last to jump onboard.  This includes social media sites like Linked In, FaceBook and Twitter.  It’s only when half my network sends me half-encouraging and half-threatening emails that I reluctantly join.  And, I must admit, that each time I succumb to the “peer pressure” of social networking, I am thrilled I have.

My latest foray into Twitter (find me @ InciteYES) is proving to be an amazing experience!  I am blown away, for example, that CEO of Zappos Tony…

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I feel like it’s so infrequently these days that we’re moved to tears by inspiring - rather than heartbreaking - stories. On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to attend the book signing for Do Your Giving While You are Living and have such an experience. It was truly a gift to hear from - and later meet - the phenomenal contributors to this book!

Rather than reading the panelists’ impressive bios, the moderator asked that each share a personal story. How did…

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I really enjoyed this article in the Wall Street Journal about eliminating those awful annual performance appraisals.  Brought back all kinds of not-so pleasant memories along with validation for why we do what we do at Incite!

I remember, back in the corporate world, how anxious my colleagues and I felt whenever our annual reviews came up. It was quite demoralizing completing all those self assessment forms, enumerating our accomplishments and fearing that our own perceptions would not at all match the…

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Any book entitled “Road Rules” would make an insatiable traveler like me curious. But when you consider that it’s written by Andrew Sherman, an old friend who authored 17 additional books (I’m not quite sure when Andrew sleeps, just read his bio and you’ll know what I mean) and I must sing its praises to the world! In fact, my review was posted on the “endorsements” page so take a look at the website and order your own copy! Congratulations to Andrew…

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I was recently fortunate to hear David Maister speak at a local event for executives! I’ve known about him for years from associates and clients in professional services firms who’ve simply raved about his books and programs. And they were so right! David impressed me not only because he was so brilliant and knowledgeable, but also because he was incredibly dynamic and fun! I was enthralled and determined to interview him for this blog. I mean who could be a better…

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Great news! This month’s Smart CEO Magazine- both the DC and the Baltimore issues - have published my quote on CEO burnouts. Of course, the part of the interview they chose to publish was about my own burnout (rather than all the brilliant insights I’ve given clients over the years to battle theirs). The good news is that it might inspire other smart CEOs to follow my lead and take their own rejuvenating, refocusing vacations! Can you tell, I believe in leading (and vacationing) by example ;)

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As some of you may know we recently rebranded Incite International. It was such a looong and interesting process (sometimes in the “green eggs and ham” kind of interesting, if you know what I mean), even the local press got curios! Smart CEO Magazine contacted me when they learned that not only do we help other companies craft mission statements, we’re now in the process of creating our own. “Let’s see if they practices what they preaches,” they probably thought. I really enjoyed the interview and thought I’d post it to this blog – some of you are probably going through this very process and hopefully will find it of value.

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Did you notice that September was a bit of an odd month? I don’t think it was just me as most of my associates and clients reported strange glitches – from technology meltdowns to interpersonal miscommunications to professional missteps. Whether it was coincidental, astrological or imaginary, I found that along with the challenges emerged some fascinating insights. Most enlighteningly, I may have finally learned how to process “constructive feedback” in a balanced, healthy, non-self-kicking manner. At first I thought it was a fluke, but of course then I got multiple opportunities to validate this newfound skill (aren’t I lucky!)

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