Lee Ellis's Blog, page 117

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is Today

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed today and is a way to thank and honor our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. There are 5 objectives with Vietnam Commemoration and the other four are:

Highlight the service of our Armed Forces and support organizations during the warPay tribute to wartime contributions at home by American citizensHighlight technology, science and medical advances made during the warRecognize contributions by our Allies

Knowing that organizers have canceled or postponed many events to slow the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing, veterans are encouraged to stay connected and participate in virtual events.

Please watch the short clips below, and we honor and remember our those who gave their time and sacrifice to ensure freedom –

And, here is a past memorial event to watch –

 

 

 

 

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What is Your Natural Style Group? Save 20% Instantly

10 different style groups with their own unique attributes, strengths, and struggles. Which one are you, and how do you naturally relate to everyone else?

Our Behavioral Leadership Package features the best in assessment and training on natural behavior and how to maximize how you can live and lead with confidence and authenticity.

Leadership Behavior DNA book was just awarded 1st Place Gold Award in Self-Help for the 2020-2021 Reviewer’s Choice Awards.

Save 20% when you purchase this package – visit our Online Store

 

 

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Leadership History Lesson for March 28th

On this day in leadership history in 1917, during World War I the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was founded. Despite their valuable contributions to the war effort, they weren’t given the same rights and benefits as men who were serving. This issue was remedied in WWII.

What’s the leadership lesson? Virtue and doing the right thing doesn’t always result in fair treatment or outcomes, but honorable leaders know that courageous character is more important.

Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) – History Link

 

 

 

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Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 26, 2021

“I realize that I have to let go of old mindsets that really don’t work so well in order to adopt new ones that work better.” – Lee Ellis

 

 

 

 

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The Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – “Healing Wounds”

In honor of Women’s History Month, here is the Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – “Healing Wounds, A Vietnam War combat nurse’s 10-year fight to win women a place of honor in Washington, D.C.” by Diane Carlson Evans.

As we continue to raise visibility to women’s achievements, it was in 1983 when Evans came up with the vision for the first-ever memorial on the National Mall to honor women who’d worn a military uniform. She remembered not only her sister veterans, but also the hundreds of young wounded men she had cared for.

In the end, those wounded soldiers who had survived proved to be there for their sisters-in-arms, joining their fight for honor in Evans’ journey of combating unforeseen bureaucratic obstacles and facing mean-spirited opposition. Her impassioned story of serving in Vietnam is a crucial backstory to her fight to honor the women she served beside. She details the gritty and high-intensity experience of being a nurse in the midst of combat and becomes an unlikely hero who ultimately serves her country again as a formidable force in her daunting quest for honor and justice.

Read more about this book on the Good Reads website. Purchase your copy on Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Natural Behavior in the Crucible of POW Life

Lee Ellis served as an Air Force fighter pilot flying 53 combat missions over North Vietnam. In 1967, he was shot down and held as a POW for more than five years in Hanoi and surrounding camps. Today, he is an award-winning author, leadership coach and speaker on leadership, teambuilding and human performance.

The brotherhood shared by those who wear and have worn the uniform of our armed forces have a bond–something in common that draws them together. Quite often that bond is based on suffering and sacrifice. It begins with basic training, because every person who enters the military must endure some sort of a boot-camp experience that levels the playing field and requires participants to work together to succeed.

It’s intended to take you out of your comfort zone and force you to collaborate to succeed. Camaraderie begins early and usually endures. So, whether it’s at the VA, the American Legion, AMVETS, or Disabled American Veterans, they like coming together with their buddies and those who have been there, for instance, struggling to re-integrating into society.

Behavior in the POW Camps

During my time as a Vietnam Prisoner of War, the living situation varied from isolation to cells of four to six people, but eventually we spent almost two years locked up in one large room with 52 strong-willed, competitive aircrew cellmates. There were no inside walls in this cell of roughly 1800 sq. ft.; it was packed with bodies and the only place you might be able to get alone was the two-holer—basically a squat trench over the sewer in a small room at one end. The POW’s slept elbow to elbow on a raised concrete slab. There were some hard times, but it was the perfect laboratory to learn about human behavior.

In this enlarged sardine can, you could not hide nor pretend. Your best and worst behaviors were on display 24/7 day after day, month after month, year after year. Packed together so closely with our struggles so open and obvious, we could see how they were problematic. First, we saw it in others who irritated us.

But over time, in ways that were sometimes subtle and often blatant, we learned of our own blunders and shortcomings.

“In the crucible of the POW camps, it was there that we came to accept that we were all unique and that we could not change others.” [Tweet This]

In effect, there was a mirror there to show us what we had not seen before. In this behavioral laboratory with the suspension of time in the camps, we were motivated to go to work and so we did.

With little to do, most of us decided it was a good opportunity to grow and develop. We soon organized an educational program with formal academic classes six days a week. It was optional, but most guys engaged in some of the classes. The teamwork in that cell became remarkable. We organized everything, assigned and rotated duties, and most importantly learned the power of respecting and caring for others – even those who irritated us the most. Only twice in those 20 months did someone raise their voice at another, and in both cases, they apologized before bedtime.

All Styles are Leaders

I often share my story and highlight the great leadership and point out how it came from various styles of behavior. There was not just one style that excelled, but what was common were the three characteristics of Character, Courage and Commitment – and the ability to focus on both Mission and People.

From my and my co-author Hugh Massie’s combined 45 years of experience in leadership coaching and otherwise working with thousands of leaders, we know this is the secret sauce. No matter your natural talents or personality style, you can be a great leader if you have integrity and learn to adapt your behaviors to accomplish the mission (get results) and take care of the people (build trusting relationships).

This is the great advantage of the military. Both in the training on the fields of friendly strife and in combat, warrior leaders learn that you must walk the tightrope of accomplishing the mission and taking care of the people — some have even adapted the slogan Mission First-People Always. Veterans understand this profound wisdom and stay connected, and we pause to honor them for their service and offer our heartfelt appreciation.

LE [Tweet This Article]

Successfully Manage Differences in a Military Team

2020-2021 ReaderViews Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner!

Every human is unique — and the best leaders know why this might be an advantage. Learn how embracing different talents and abilities, both our own and those of others, can lead to more effective leadership and success.

Grounded in statistical research and supported by data from millions of clients and more than 45 years of workplace experience, Lee Ellis and Hugh Massie reveal their personal stories and experience on how they’ve successfully helped organizations achieve their goals by applying practical insights on human design.

Order Your Copy  in the Store Order Your Copy on AmazonLearn More about Training Options

Additional discount available for bulk orders.

“…There are few that have made significant strides on making ‘knowing yourself’ operational and real as Lee and Hugh have in this marvelous book. Reading this book is a compelling adventure. If you follow the path, you will change for the better!” – Richard Boyatzis, Co-author of the international best seller, Primal Leadership and the new Helping People Change

“[Reading Leadership Behavior DNA] exceeded all of my expectations! If you want to leverage your natural leadership strengths in order to build strong trusting teams, as well as create a dynamic culture around you, this book is a must-read!”– Gerald V. Goodfellow, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.), Executive Director, Louisiana Tech Research Institute

“In leadership development classes, I tell participants that ‘If you cannot lead yourself, how can you lead people?’ Lee and Hugh have mapped the DNA to understanding your leadership traits, and every leader must read their book.” – Dr. James T. Ward, Facilitator and Manager for Leader Development Programs, Naval Air Systems Command (NavAir)

 

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4 Discipline Tips You Can Start and Maintain

I really love springtime. But to be honest, it derails my sense of discipline. Perhaps it’s the additional activities or vacation time. This isn’t a guilt trip, but there are still worthwhile and sometimes difficult things that need to get done during the Spring, right? What can we do about it as leaders?

Discipline is found at the core of every success in life. It’s what helps us choose and follow the right path, keeping us on track to achieve our goals. Here are four helpful steps to better discipline that we can all use immediately –

Recognize that choices become habits. Whether good or bad, the same choice done repeatedly becomes a habit. It’s just human nature. Be aware of your choices and how they affect your desires and goals. Protect your character. It will keep you on track and help you make more consistent, daily choices. Download the Honor Code on our website if you need some guidance. Manage distractions. Whether it’s disabling notifications on your cell phone and computer to scheduling thinking and planning time on your calendar, these small changes can yield big results. Overcome Procrastination. From simple to serious, we all procrastinate about various things. Try doing a couple of things that you’ve been putting off (or dreading) and see the results.

Have a fun Spring, but develop or retain those disciplined habits that keep you growing and advancing forward.

Also, read the entire article on this topic, and please also share your comments below—we’d love to hear your wisdom, too.

 

 

 

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2021 Award Winner Announcement!

The Leadership Behavior DNA book has won the 2020-2021 ReaderViews Reviewer’s Choice Awards in two categories:

1st Place Gold Award in the Self-Help category2nd Place Silver Award in the Business/Sales/ Economics category

Thanks to our friends, fans, and clients for your support of the Leadership Behavior DNA message and training tools!

Read more about these awards here

Read the review of Leadership Behavior DNA here

 

 

 

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Coaching Clip – The What and Why of Leadership Discipline

In this segment of leadership coaching from Lee Ellis, he shares how to leadership discipline uniquely distinguishes yourself from other leaders. When we learn and apply this foundational leadership attribute, our opportunity for long-term success grows. 

Also read the article on this topic – “Better Leadership Discipline in 4 Steps”

 

 

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Save 30% on the 48th Anniversary

In honor of Lee’s 48th POW release anniversary, buy both of his books together and save 30% off.

Leading with Honor is the 2012 release outlining the 14 leadership lessons learned in the POW camps of Vietnam. Engage with honor is the 2016 release that applies many of the original leadership lessons into a practical Courageous Accountability Model.

Purchase in the Online Store

Also available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and anywhere books are sold.

 

 

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