Lee Ellis's Blog, page 144
May 27, 2020
4 Quick Tips that Leaders Should Avoid
1. The Trap of Domination.
At least one-third of the population has a natural behavior for being in charge and taking control of the agenda. Those of us in that category, naturally turn to power to get things done and get what we want. Being in charge and responsible for results isn’t a bad thing, but dominating others destroys their dignity and undermines respect. No one likes to be micromanaged, controlled, bullied or manipulated.
2. The Trap of Withdrawal.
Another one-third of the population will have a natural tendency to use withdrawal as a way to control and manipulate others. This is a more passive-aggressive way to gain power and dominate via stealth. Choose to follow the tactics mentioned previously for those who dominate by courageously engaging with respect and a positive attitude.
3. The Trap of Gossip.
Gossiping is a widespread yet subversive way to lower others, minimize our own personal insecurities, and elevate ourselves at the same time. Not only does it create negative energy detracting from the mission, but relationally it undermines team morale and trust. To eliminate gossip, first we have to personally scrutinize ourselves to recognize and break the habit immediately.
4. The Trap of Judging.
Many leaders have a strong natural behavior for discernment and the ability to make quick judgments. It can be good in certain situations, but often it undermines the dignity of others and makes them second-class citizens. Like gossip, judging may help us feel better about ourselves, but it’s also destructive and doesn’t stand up to the Golden Rule.
Soft Skills that Make a Difference
In the Honor Code that we use in training and coaching, these seemingly soft leadership skills of displaying dignity and respect may sound simple and unimportant, but they’re foundational for long-term success and growth.
Download the Honor Code
Also, read the entire article on this topic – “Four Behavioral Leadership Traps to Avoid”
Discover Your Natural Talents – New From Lee Ellis
[image error]
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
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
“This is the book that I have longed for during my decades in managing talent. Having seen the positive impact of DNA Behavior on my teams, this is a must-read for leaders who desire to build strong teams by accelerating natural talents in an authentic and lasting way.” – Belva White, CPA, MBA, Vice President for Finance & Treasury, Emory University
The post 4 Quick Tips that Leaders Should Avoid appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 26, 2020
New June 2nd Distance Learning Event – See Inside
“How to Improve Team Performance by Applying Courageous Accountability and Natural Behavior”
Join us next Tuesday, Jun 2, 2020 11:00 AM ET – free registration link below. Some leaders and team members are having success working remotely, while others are floundering. Besides having a strong work ethic, the natural behaviors of individuals play a vital role in understanding and knowing how to lead and hold them accountable.
In this new distance learning event with Hugh Massie and Lee Ellis, they help us discover how to discern and use natural behavior as a tool for improving results and performance. This is a critically important tactic now more than ever.
Register to Attend
Presented by Hugh Massie and Lee Ellis
The post New June 2nd Distance Learning Event – See Inside appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 25, 2020
VA Tech Reads Lee Ellis Books – See Inside
Have we mentioned that all Virginia Tech Corp Cadets read all three of Lee Ellis’ books as part of their Common Book Program? Leading with Honor, Engage with Honor, and Leadership Behavior DNA.
Thank you, Virginia Tech, for teaching your students to lead with honor!
Purchase copies of these books for your student or graduate – visit the Leading with Honor Store or your favorite book retailer to buy them
The post VA Tech Reads Lee Ellis Books – See Inside appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 24, 2020
On This Day in Leadership History, May 24th
On this day in leadership history in 1967, California Governor Ronald Reagan greeted Charles M. Schulz at the state capitol in observance of the legislature-proclaimed “Charles Schulz Day.”
What’s the leadership lesson? Rather than being threatened by other’s achievements, honorable leaders celebrate and honor the achievements of others! Be generous and look for opportunities to affirm and encourage.
Charles M. Schulz – Wikipedia
The post On This Day in Leadership History, May 24th appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 22, 2020
Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, May 22, 2020
We’re remembering Phyllis George (1949-2020) this week and her impact on pioneering women in leadership. She had this to say about learning our unique core identity as individuals –
“Saying yes to yourself opens up opportunities that can take you anywhere. Having a mentor in your life who says yes to you is also key. Appreciate your mentors when you’re starting out. And later, always give credit to the people who were there with you at the beginning.” – Phyllis George
The post Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, May 22, 2020 appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 21, 2020
LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT: DO YOU WITHDRAW, ENGAGE, OR DOMINATE?
Thanks to Alan McTier, President of LifePurposes Leadership, for posting this article about Lee Ellis’ Leadership Engagement Model. It has become an extremely popular communication tool with our leaders and teams.
Read Lee’s article on his website
Purchase business card versions of this model in our online store
The post LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT: DO YOU WITHDRAW, ENGAGE, OR DOMINATE? appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 19, 2020
Coaching Article – Four Behavioral Leadership Traps to Avoid
By Lee Ellis
What happens inside you when you feel disrespected? Have you ever had some form of attack on your dignity, and how did that feel? Some of my strongest emotions from my Vietnam POW experience were the daily attempts by our enemy to humiliate us and destroy our dignity. Even many years later, I still get torched when I feel disrespected. One of my areas of growth has been to learn to calm myself, give grace to others and forgive. So with the pain of being dissed in mind, let’s look deeper at the four dangerous traps related to dignity and respect that leaders should avoid.
Deep Desire and Human Need
Many leaders may not be aware that the strongest behaviors we have are to meet our deepest desires and human needs. Beyond safety and security, most of us have a deep desire to be valued, to count for something, and to have meaning and purpose. Being disrespected attacks our basic dignity and that undermines these deep needs, arousing strong emotions of negative energy. The Golden Rule exists in similar words in the eight major world religions, and it’s all about respect and showing dignity to others. This universal truth has remained a cornerstone of wisdom for one simple reason—it works and it’s very important for healthy living. It’s also crucial to good leadership.
Let’s look at the four dangerous traps that violate Article 2 of the Honor Code that we’ve developed for leaders and teams –
“Treat others with dignity and respect. Take the lead, and show value to others.” [Tweet This]
The Trap of Domination.
At least one-third of the population has a natural behavior for being in charge and taking control of the agenda. Those of us in that category, naturally turn to power to get things done and get what we want. Being in charge and responsible for results isn’t a bad thing, but dominating others destroys their dignity and undermines respect. No one likes to be micromanaged, controlled, bullied or manipulated. Human dignity requires respect regardless of roles and position, and leaders especially need to be careful in this regard. Choose the healthy alternative and courageously engage others with respect and a positive attitude.
The Trap of Withdrawal.
Another one-third of the population will have a natural tendency to use withdrawal as a way to control and manipulate others. This is a more passive-aggressive way to gain power and dominate via stealth. But the message is the same, “you are not respected.”
In the past, I’ve been hired to coach leaders who go into their office and shut the door so they don’t have to deal with others. It wasn’t intended to be manipulative or disrespectful, but that’s the way it came across to their people. Likewise some leaders don’t give positive feedback, or show value to their people, or avoid getting to know their people at all. Choose to follow the tactics mentioned previously for those who dominate by courageously engaging with respect and a positive attitude.
The Trap of Gossip.
Gossiping is a widespread yet subversive way to lower others, minimize our own personal insecurities, and elevate ourselves at the same time. Not only does it create negative energy detracting from the mission, but relationally it undermines team morale and trust.
To eliminate gossip, first we have to personally scrutinize ourselves to recognize and break the habit immediately. Second we have to be willing to courageously engage others on the issue reminding them that it’s disrespectful. Human beings are masterful at disguising gossip, so it won’t be easy. The best tactic is to objectively approach it as a human problem that affects any team and then build a culture that recognizes and stops it as soon as possible. Educate and enlist everyone on your team to make gossip taboo in your organization, and then take action with consequences for those who continue this destructive habit.
The Trap of Judging.
Many leaders have a strong natural behavior for discernment and the ability to make quick judgments. It can be good in certain situations, but often it undermines the dignity of others and makes them second-class citizens. Like gossip, judging may help us feel better about ourselves, but it’s also destructive and doesn’t stand up to the Golden Rule.
Some time ago, I read a couple of biographies on General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, supreme allied commander in WWII and our 34th President. While hazing a plebe at West Point, he berated him for his prior occupation as a barber. Ike ruthlessly ridiculed the young man for being such a “lowly” person. Ironically, Ike came from a blue collar background himself, but he had good upbringing; so upon reflection he was so ashamed of his behavior that he went to the plebe and apologized. This was an emotional event with a lesson that he never forgot. Ike’s ability to work with others without judging was a key skill that enabled him to collaborate with the egos of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Generals Montgomery of Britain and Patton of the US. Choose to be impartial with others without judging them, and you will open many doors of favor and good standing with those around you.
Soft Skills that Make a Difference
In the Honor Code that we use in training and coaching, these seemingly soft leadership skills of displaying dignity and respect may sound simple and unimportant, but they’re foundational for long-term success and growth. And for understanding your natural leadership behavior or those on your team, we strongly recommend an assessment tool like Leadership Behavior DNA to pinpoint and understand each other.
Where do you struggle and what are you willing to do about it? It’s all about being intentional and constantly working to improve. Please share your thoughts and experiences with us.
LE
Discover Your Natural Talents – New From Lee Ellis
[image error]
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
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
“This is the book that I have longed for during my decades in managing talent. Having seen the positive impact of DNA Behavior on my teams, this is a must-read for leaders who desire to build strong teams by accelerating natural talents in an authentic and lasting way.” – Belva White, CPA, MBA, Vice President for Finance & Treasury, Emory University
The post Coaching Article – Four Behavioral Leadership Traps to Avoid appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
Think your vote doesn’t count?
Think your vote doesn’t count? Honorable leaders should never think such a thing! Now’s the time to research your candidates for upcoming primary elections. Leading with Honor offers free help in evaluating your candidates for public office.
Download a copy of the non-partisan voter guide below, and please share!
The post Think your vote doesn’t count? appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
May 18, 2020
Graduation Season Offer – See Inside
Graduation season is here, and Leading with Honor wants to help you celebrate and gift these young leaders with future wisdom! Experience gripping stories from the Vietnam POW camps and learn the leadership lessons that enabled them to survive and return with honor.
Save 20% instantly when you buy both Lee Ellis leadership books together – Purchase in the Online Store or your favorite online retailer –
The post Graduation Season Offer – See Inside appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
Giving Back Recommendation – VVMF
Based in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1980 to build a national memorial dedicated to all who served with the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War.
Leading with Honor supports this worthwhile organization – please learn more on their website.
The post Giving Back Recommendation – VVMF appeared first on Leading With Honor®.
