Lee Ellis's Blog, page 118

Leadership History Lesson for March 21st

On this day in leadership history in 1986, Debi Thomas becomes first African American woman to win the World Figure Skating Championship. In addition, she was the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist and a two-time U.S. national champion. Her rivalry with East Germany’s Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens.

Later, she went on to be an orthopedic surgeon.

Debi Thomas – Wikipedia

 

 

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Fill-in-the-Blank – Leader Needs

Fill-in-the-Blank – “The area where I most need help or encouragement as a leader is __________________________.”

Post your answer below – thank you!

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Now on Instagram!

Lee Ellis and Leading with Honor are now on Instagram! Follow us to see the latest photos and clips of the work that we’re doing with honorable leaders –

www.Instagram.com/LeadingWithHonor or search @leadingwithhonor on your app

 

 

 

 

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Better Leadership Discipline in 4 Steps

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?

My Busy Season

A few years ago, my wife Mary and I moved into a new home to get closer to some of our children and grandchildren, and this experience challenged every ounce of discipline in my mind, body, and spirit. Moving takes and enormous amount of work to pack, unpack, and organize. In the process, normal productive habit patterns get busted, choices seem unending, and the complexity of technology changes, address changes, etc. is mindboggling.

I admit to having some characteristics of ADD, so staying disciplined is even more essential. This battle made me realize how much success hinges on being focused and disciplined in life and leadership.

The Value of Disciplined Training

Discipline is the backbone of military culture, and it was a critical part of my indoctrination and training into the service. Most veterans will tell you that the rigors of their disciplined, military experience were one of the greatest assets that they picked up as a member of the Armed Forces. It created a natural resilience and strength that can only come from intentionally creating new habits with all enlisted men and women.

Then in my Vietnam POW experience, the value of discipline became a steady anchor to live as normal as possible under the challenging conditions of prison life.

4 Steps to Better Discipline

“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.” [Tweet This]

Our natural gifts and behaviors also play an important role in how we use discipline in life and work. Assessments like Leadership Behavior DNA pinpoint with great accuracy how we think and work, which is why we use it our leadership and team training every day.

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 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.

My Challenge for You

Perhaps someday, I’ll do a blog about crying need for discipline in the today’s culture—even good manners would help. But in the meantime, like most everything in leadership and personal development, the commitment to be disciplined has to start within—with me and you personally.

Have a fun Spring, but develop or retain those disciplined habits that keep you growing and advancing forward. Please also share your comments below—we’d love to hear your wisdom, too.

LE [Tweet This Article]

The Complete Leadership Behavior Package – Save 20%

This package combines the latest book, Leadership Behavior DNA, along with the personalized report that forms the basis for the book! Read step-by-step as the book help you understand and interpret the results from your personal report – The Behavioral Leadership Package includes:

The Leadership Behavior DNA book – Along with training the reader on the most important tenants of leadership, it also goes deep into the explaining the 8 Factors and 16 Traits that form the bedrock for helping manage the differences in yourself and others.The Leadership Behavior DNA AssessmentPurchase your Package in the Leading with Honor Online Store

 

 

 

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Buy Both Books Together and Save 30% Off

Purchase these award-winning books by Lee Ellis in one package.

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 them in the Leading with Honor StorePurchase them on Amazon.com

 

 

 

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Today in Leadership History – My 48th POW Release Anniversary

Today is my 48th anniversary of regaining freedom from my POW experience. My group of POWs in Vietnam stepped forward on March 14, 1973 and ever since the lock has always been on the inside of the door.

Please look back at these photos and celebrate this annual milestone with me and my comrades – thank you

 

 

 

 

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Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 12, 2021

“The Golden Rule says ‘Do to others what you want them to do to you.’ This simple statement requires commitment, intentionality, and effort.” – Lee Ellis

 

 

 

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7 Core Behaviors for Creating Leadership Boundaries

Need some clear ethical boundaries for your team or organization? Core behavioral reminders for being civil in your personal and professional life? Here are 7 core behaviors to lead and work with honor.

For example, article #2 says –

“Be ethical. Operate within the laws of the land, the guidelines of your profession, and the policies of your employer.”

Please download your free copy of The Honor Code, and please share with others.

 

 

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2 Quick Tips to Secure Your Leadership Reputation

We’re all born selfish human beings with pride and even the capacity for evil. I have some friends who say it’s not inherited; they say we have free will and get to make our own choices. Both perspectives have value, but I say we are born with this bent. Regardless of how you view it, it’s clear that we humans can get off course of good character very quickly.

Let the Golden Rule be part of your armor in this daily battle – “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” Here are two ways to re-commit to the Golden Rule –

Reflect. Pause to consider the tsunami of character-related problems in our culture, and you’ll see that most of the examples were good people who got off course. The words of former White House Counsel Jeb Magruder, convicted in the Watergate scandal, are a good reminder. “Somewhere between my ambition and my ideals, I lost my ethical compass. I found myself on a path that had not been intended for me by my parents or my principles or by my own ethical instincts.” Clearly, had he followed the Golden Rule, he would not have deviated from the course that he had planned. It can happen to any of us. Respond. Given the realities of our humanness, how can we respond to live by the Golden Rule?Acknowledge that we are vulnerable. Having some doubt in a situation can be a powerful lever.Clarify our commitments. Knowing it can happen, we can become more intentional about regularly clarifying our boundaries. Who are you, and what do you stand for?  What are your character and values commitments?Don’t fight this battle alone. Stay connected to wise people who care about you and who can help you stay on course.

You and I can’t change everyone in our culture. But we can set the example that will influence others to see the true gold in the Golden Rule. Let’s focus on ourselves and make sure we measure up.

Please add your comments below on this topic, and also read the entire article – “Two Ways Leaders Can Become Golden”

 

The Complete Leadership Behavior Package – Save 20%

This package combines the latest book, Leadership Behavior DNA, along with the personalized report that forms the basis for the book! Read step-by-step as the book help you understand and interpret the results from your personal report – The Behavioral Leadership Package includes:

The Leadership Behavior DNA book – Along with training the reader on the most important tenants of leadership, it also goes deep into the explaining the 8 Factors and 16 Traits that form the bedrock for helping manage the differences in yourself and others.The Leadership Behavior DNA AssessmentPurchase your Package in the Leading with Honor Online Store

 

 

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Leading with Honor FAQ – Class of 2021

A Leading with Honor FAQ –

“The Class of 2021 will be graduating and becoming future leaders in life and work. What specific recommendations do you have for them as they embark on this lifetime of leadership?”

Lee Ellis’ Answer –

“Be clear about your principles of integrity and character and battle to live accordingly. It will take courage, so learn to lean into your doubts and fears to do what you know is right. Know yourself, accept yourself, and be authentic. Be humble so you can always be learning and growing. Be confident so you can be authentic. The most important attributes of a good leader come from a healthy individual—someone who is real, authentic, and humble yet self-confident.

If you spend time worrying about yourself or your competition, rather than just doing your job really well, that’s not healthy. Self-doubt, feelings of insufficiency and false pride cause a person to be self-focused, which undermines one’s judgment and performance.  

Know yourself, and know what you’re committed to, and don’t be afraid to keep your commitments and do what you know is honorable. If you do that, you’re probably going to do well.”

Read more FAQs on our website.

The Complete Leadership Behavior Package – Save 20%

This package combines the latest book, Leadership Behavior DNA, along with the personalized report that forms the basis for the book! Read step-by-step as the book help you understand and interpret the results from your personal report – The Behavioral Leadership Package includes:

The Leadership Behavior DNA book – Along with training the reader on the most important tenants of leadership, it also goes deep into the explaining the 8 Factors and 16 Traits that form the bedrock for helping manage the differences in yourself and others.The Leadership Behavior DNA AssessmentPurchase your Package in the Leading with Honor Online Store

 

 

 

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