Description: Even the most positive people have moments when they struggle against negative influences. Each of us may experience meltdowns or negative outbursts. When we spiral down and go negative, who actually suffers? That's right -- everyone, to include us, our friends and family, our co- workers, and our future.
With improved understanding of the resources available to us and armed with better skills to use them, our capacity to innovate for each situation and to learn what it takes to successfully handle bigger challenges grows. Even under the toughest conditions, we soon realize that with focused effort, we can stay true to who we are -- and make it easier for others to do the same.
To help us reconnect us to our richest source of personal power, this workshop introduces 7 skills and combines hands-on exercises to:
- reinforce those who already have a strong positive presence
- remind and strengthen those who may have lost theirs
- show those who've never understood it how to create it
A growing mastery of these skills makes it possible to experience a power that replaces the fear, competition and survival pressures we face every day. When we understand and feel the positive presence within us and all around us, we free it to guide our day – no matter what happens. We learn to be more present in the moment, and to live more fully, allowing real magic into our lives.

Target Audience: People who care about people
Organizational Issues: Allows individual skills to affect positive transformation in organizations

Objectives: Have participants understand and exercise 7 Positive Presence Power Skills and be able to apply these skills to real world examples.

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 Pioneer, and a Leadership Engagement Expert. 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 affiliated faculty at the University of Hawaii. She is Chair of the Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade, Trustee for the Lyman Museum, and a Charter Member and actively involved in the Hawaii Island Women’s Leadership Forum. She contributed a chapter, “Decisions Built to Last” in the newly released book – Decisive Women (DecisiveWomen.com), and is the author of the soon-to-be released book – Power of Positive Presence.
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 and HHSC East Region Board.

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.

Deb & Doug created a company called Sunrise Aloha LLC, where they enjoy discovering creative approaches to help others gain the skills and insights to affect positive transformation in their professional organizations and relationships. These skills and insights work as well or better in their personal lives -- consistently leading to extraordinary outcomes. Deb and Doug are frequently featured on talk radio and other online shows. 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/in/deb-lewis-9b786913

Twitter: @DHATour @DebraMLewis