2006 eNews 2nd Qtr.

Hello My Friends,

It's late Friday night and this is the last official act before I head out on sabbatical until August 28th. As I told you last year I am convinced that scheduling sabbaticals gives us a time for reflection, renewal and innovation. I'm dedicating this time to recovering my full well-being, finding a soul mate, and finishing the last pieces of my new book......sounds pretty good doesn't it?

We have preliminary interest from Jossey-Bass to publish the book. I have targeted to sell 50,000 copies within the first year it is in print so am asking each and every one of you to partner with me in finding audiences that will purchase bulk orders. This could include corporate purchases, societies & associations, venues where I give keynote speeches, book signings, etc. Thank you in advance for your help. The book should hit the book shelves in Fall of 2007 so we have a full year to line up those 50,000 customers!

We just completed the Executives Leading Sustainable Change program and convened the first student generated ELSC reunion and guest reception. The event was an overwhelming success with close to 50% of the guests already signing up for ELSC or WLC. The IWL Alumnae were fantastic in their generosity and contribution to the value the guests received that evening. We now have 2 ELSC programs open for registration and expect full classes in record time! We also are quickly filling the WLC in Hawaii (a few discount coupons are left) and hoping to open up a Minneapolis and Redwood City class before the end of 2006.

Our partners at Linkage and Women In Technology international have offered discounts for IWL Alums who are planning on attending their National Conferences. I have hyperlinked their URL below in case you are interested:

$150 Discount for Linkage Women In Leadership Summit in Boston, Nov. 13,14,15
https://www.linkageinc.com/forms/conference_register.aspx?id=349

$300 Discount for WITI National Conference
http://www.witi.com/center/conferences/lasvegas/

I, along with IWL Alums, Ellen Wingard and Toni Riccardi, with be presenting our work from the Enlightened Power book along with other stellar faculty including Marianne Williamson at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY on Oct. 13,14,15. I can't think of a better way to spend my 55th birthday! Please consider joining us for this outstanding 3 day conference:
http://www.eomega.org/omega/workshops/eeda7ce1552d85d9ef8b1c18b581d996/

I also just completed a women's leadership breakout session at the National Conference for the American Society of Orchestra Leaders. The net result is that they were so inspired by the women of Australia 5x5 initiative that they created the 16% by 2011 initiative which is a tipping point for increasing the number of women orchestra leaders in the largest orchestras in America.....you go girls!!

In August I begin my 2-year tenure as an Executive Committee member of the Women's Leadership Board at Harvard, with the specific accountability of building a world class mentoring program for the Kennedy School students. Of course I am joined by fellow committee members and faculty members in pulling this together but if you should have any additional resources I would really appreciate knowing about them. I promise to share whatever we build:-)

And now I'd like to share a personal breakthrough that came from leading the ELSC a couple of weeks ago. As you know my “trade up” context was, “It all turns out with grace and ease.” Well I had slipped back into some nose to the grindstone habits and generally suffering more than I needed to with work projects. My fellow faculty members, Victoria Castle and Catherine Parrish offered to have a brief but intensive coaching session in which I could once again trade up to a more empowering context. It only took one word but it made all the difference.......here it goes:
“It ALWAYS turns out with grace and ease!” Wow, what a difference a word can make. With that declaration and some good solid practices I have seen a tremendous change in me, my staff and the productivity (with grace and ease) at IWL. I invite you to revisit your trade up context and see if it is sufficient for where you are or want to be right now and if not, find some folks to get some peer coaching.........it works!!

While I feel like there is so much more to catch you up on I also know I need to pack for Family Camp. I will carry you with me on sabbatical and if you want to stay in touch I would really like that. I plan to spend a lot of my time jet skiing, row biking, eating healthy food and loving my life. Thank you for being such a big and important part of it.

With love and partnership, Rayona