I don't get "inspired" often, guess I have heard lots of great speakers, but Alison Levine - General Session at Connect MarketPlace was tremendous. Some of the "take-aways":

· Keep asking questions till you get to yes.....

· Don't let fear stop you from letting you do the things you want to do, step up and try, even if you don't think you are ready.

· Who, outside of your team, you may need to call on to assist and have them in place in advance...

· Tragedy will either blow things up or bring you together.  Take prudent risks and learn from those who came before you and their successes and failures.

· You have a responsibility to the people around you, so do what you have to do, someone else has it worse than you.

· If you are experiencing change and have no control over it - keep your bearings, take action based on the situation at the time, not on the plan because the plan is outdated already

· Judgment - turning around and walking away from the deal, how will this affect not just you but everyone else around you

· Even when things feel calm, there is still risk....

· Ask the question......you will never know otherwise and progress only happens when you ask questions

· The journey and what you are going to do along the way. Those that stand at the top are no better than those that got half way up but tried....

· Nobody gets to the top by themselves......