Description: Do you aspire to make a positive impact in the lives of others?

If so... you'll definitely want to catch Deb Lewis and Doug Adams’ pre-conference workshop, "Improve Your Communications, Improve Your Relationships"

Count on Deb and Doug to inspire you to hone this essential leadership skill to benefit almost every aspect of your personal and professional life. Deb and Doug raise the bar every day in this area because they know that doing so makes it possible to bring out the best in each other, and everyone else in their lives.

Discover how Deb and Doug's experiences bring to life this year's In2: InThinking Network Forum theme, "Break the Mold: Aspire, Inspire, Achieve." They'd be thrilled for you to join them and expand your own infinite possibilities to make a positive impact.

Forum Alumni know that time spent with Deb or Doug is fun and inspirational as they help you explore what works for you.

What happens when you get this skill right?
- You could find the love of your life. Although they graduated together in the first class with women at West Point, Deb did not meet Doug until 17 years later. Deb asked her classmates about him. Without exception, every one of the women in her class told Deb how highly they thought of him. They "loved him!"
- People who work with you will expand your impact. If it hasn't happened already, they will actively connect with you years later.

In the example below, someone she hadn’t spoken with in 8 years reached out to Deb.
Hi Deb A call came for you this morning. He is a former soldier of yours, served with you in Iraq. They would like to fly you over to Ft. Hood, Texas, to speak next month.

Please give him a call at xxx as soon as possible. He is very eager to speak with you.

(They flew Deb from Hawaii to give a Leadership Development Workshop, plus a Keynote Speech to the entire installation.)

Communication is the key to open the door to achieve the success that lies within you.

What’s in your future? Get ready for Deb and Doug to shine a little of their light to help you see it better.

Target Audience: Everything you do involves a relationship with someone, to include the most important one you have with yourself. In general, our communication skills seem inadequate to address the serious issues at hand, as our world seems to be evolving into an “anti-everything” mindset. Those that are ready (or merely desire) to improve their relationships will learn what it takes to have a greater impact with their words and actions, and discover what is possible when they reimagine their relationships and interpersonal communications.

Organizational Issues: Deb & Doug have experience in a variety of organizations, from the largest government agencies to small non-profits. They know that all organizations are at their most effective when 1) the people who work in them believe in what they are doing and 2) the organizational system enables them to communicate and align with others who share those beliefs in an environment of high trust and one that honors and takes advantage of the unique talents of each member. This workshop focuses on the latter while inquiring into the complex linkages between people and organizations, and beliefs and systems.

Objectives: Deb & Doug hope that seminar participants will leave with more questions than they entered with. Selfishly, they hope that they will too. (They also hope that we all lose track of time because we’re having too much fun and that Dr. Bellows has to come and tell us to pipe down).

Cost: None

Pre-work: None

Materials Needed: None

Handouts: Available for download after the Forum

Biography: Deb is most easily described as an Infinite-Win Engineer, a Leadership Engagement Expert, and a Pioneer. Deb served 34 years in uniform and continues to assume leadership roles. During her remarkable career she held key command and staff positions at all levels of the military, to include leading three US Army Corps of Engineers Brigade/Battalion level commands in Philadelphia, Seattle, and in Iraq (responsible for a $3B reconstruction program). She has an MBA from Harvard. She is on the Board of Advisors for the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point, and an affiliate faculty and special advisor to the Chancellor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo where they are creating a new Engineering degree. She assists the military veteran community, and is a Charter Member of the Hawaii Island Women’s Leadership Forum.

Doug is best known as a Social Justice Expert, Life Adventurer, and Community Leader. Doug retired from the military where he held command and staff positions at all levels of the Army, then went on to become a lawyer in Virginia, stay-at-home Dad for Deb’s daughter, and served in leadership positions in the Washington State Guard and other non-profits, as he selflessly worked on behalf of veterans. After their move to Hawaii, he formed the Shipman Law office to advise non-profits and veterans. He also serves on the boards of his family’s business in Kea`au, South Hilo Rotary, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, as well as on Hawaii County’s Board of Ethics.

Both Deb & Doug graduated from West Point, married others, had kids (all adults now), divorced, and generally followed life’s typical script. When they finally met each other, they began to reimagine their life. Everywhere they go, Deb & Doug demonstrate how a caring leadership approach cultivates endless ways to support others. Right after Deb retired from the military, they went on a one-year, fifty-state 18,067 mile bicycling tour (see www.dutyhonoramerica.com for details) to raise awareness of veteran and military issues. Following that, they imagined where they wanted to live—some place warm with a view of the ocean and mountains.

See the beauty of a sunrise and remember the promise of new beginnings and unlimited potential. With this in mind, Deb & Doug decided to create a new company called Sunrise Aloha LLC, to help those who are ready to take their life and relationships to the next level. Home is now Hilo, Hawaii, where they enjoy beautiful views and warm weather… grateful for the honor to live life to the fullest, with love, in service.

Contact: Deb & Doug can be reached by e-mail at info@sunrisealoha.com for additional information about this Pre-Conference session.

Website: www.SunriseAloha.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/debra-lewis/13/869/9b7

Twitter: @DHATour @DebraMLewis