Lee Ellis's Blog, page 212
April 10, 2018
3 Steps to Better Boundaries with your Leadership Team
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A few years ago, I began noticing a line of clothing marketed mainly to young people that proudly displayed its label of “NO BOUNDARIES.” I knew it was a marketing ploy to the young and restless, but instinctively it felt dangerous.
Unfortunately, some people took the label seriously. In today’s culture, far too many people seem to lack respect for many of the boundaries that establish order and hold us together as a civilized society. Perhaps you have noticed the same situation. Let’s pause to reflect on boundaries and the role they play.
Recently two very different events on the same day caught my attention and took me into a deeper reflection on the issue of boundaries.
March Madness Boundaries
First, while watching a “March Madness” basketball game, there was an official timeout for a video replay/review following an out-of-bounds call. I thought the call would be reversed since it appeared that the player remained inside the line. But while the player remained inbounds, the ball had touched the line and so the call was confirmed.
As I watched the slow-motion replay, the whole idea of boundaries hit me. I realized that almost all sports—football, tennis, baseball, track, soccer, etc. have boundaries—out-of-bounds lines that define the playing field. And without exception, there is an immediate consequence when those boundaries are violated.
There are many areas in life that can be this way—the extreme could be a loss of life because a drunk or distracted driver crossed the center line or ran a stop sign. Other line-crossings may not be so tragic, but there is almost always a negative consequence.
The School Shooting Spokesman
The other trigger that day was an article decrying the young and now famous 17-year-old student from Parkland High who had been catapulted into the media spotlight to give his tirade on gun control and failures of previous generations. The issue was not his stance on the issue but his inability to go a full thought without throwing out an F-bomb.
To some people, his edgy emotional message may have been acceptable, but his language was over the line for the rest of us. He violated a cultural boundary as well as FCC rules—not just by accident, but by intention.
Living in the Balance of Paradox
There are many implications in these examples for leaders trying to promote healthy values of individual responsibility and personal accountability in a culture that has drifted toward a “no-boundaries” mentality.
Like so many other areas of leadership, it requires more than an either/or mentality. Leaders must live in the tension of dichotomy or paradox. Often, it’s both.
“Leaders should get out front in questioning rules and traditions that no longer serve a purpose, while at the same time rejecting the overreach of a ‘no-boundaries’ attitude.” [Tweet This]
This is clearly not an easy task and leaders must set the example. Clarify your own boundaries and then battle to live within them.
With that commitment as your foundation, here are four steps from our Courageous Accountability Model
that can guide you forward.
Clarify.
Make sure everyone understands expectations, the boundaries and their purpose and why they exist. Consequences must also be understood when boundaries are violated. Every sport has a rulebook to clarify the rules and penalties. You need to make sure your expectations and consequences are clear also.
and 3. Connect and Collaborate effectively.
Consider the unique people and groups and how their expectations about boundaries and consequences may be different. For example, sales people will make more mistakes with details than ops people. Always have and always will. You must connect with them differently.
Discuss boundaries with others. Seek wisdom and be willing to flex when the need arises. Look for areas where you may be setting a boundary that is inappropriate for the current situation. A new hire may need a boundary that may be unnecessary and undermining for an experienced person.
“Keep an open and ongoing dialogue about boundaries and help others see the value in them for themselves and the team.” [Tweet This]
Confront or Celebrate.
Celebrate those who meet expectations and confront those who don’t with appropriate consequences. Be wise, don’t react, follow up with a balanced and firm response.
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The steps on the right side of this model give a clear leadership strategy for creating a culture of positive accountability.
Embracing Past Wisdom
The wisdom of the ages reveals that boundaries must exist as guardrails in every area and context of life for many reasons. They faithfully protect us and others from the consequences that come when we transgress into dangerous territory.
LE [Tweet This Article]
The Complete Model for Courageous Accountability
[image error]The Engage with Honor Launch Package Special Offer is still available with any purchase from the Leading with Honor Online Store! Over 10 complimentary leadership development tools provided for personal and/or professional development –
“…Ellis demonstrates that this difference comes from having the character and courage to do the right thing. A must read for all leaders.” – Dr. J. Phillip London, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board – CACI International Inc
“I believe our country is at one of the most crucial periods in our entire history. Lee’s book represents an important ‘instruction manual’ for righting the ship.” – Bob Littell, Chief NetWeaver – NetWeaving International & The Enrichment Co.
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Where is Lee speaking or signing books? Is he coming to your area? See Inside
Where is Lee speaking or signing books? Is he coming to your area?
Check out the Leading with Honor Events Calendar and join us!
And if you want to learn more about having Lee as a keynote presenter, visit the Speaking area.
Thank you
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April 9, 2018
10 Free Coaching Videos on Engaging Leadership – See Inside
Did you know that every purchase of Lee’s latest book, Engage with Honor, includes 10 coaching video clips for each chapter of the book? He shares a story or principle to reinforce the topic of each chapter. We hope that they’re helpful in your leadership!
Learn More about Engage with Honor
Purchase Your Copies in the Online Store
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April 8, 2018
On This Day in Leadership History, April 8th
On this day in leadership history in 1941, Darlene Gillespie was born. She is most remembered as a singer and dancer on the original The Mickey Mouse Club television series from 1955 to 1958. What’s the leadership lesson?
Regardless of vocation, influential leaders naturally emerge because of their accomplishments. Always have a mindset for honorable leadership no matter what you’re doing.
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April 6, 2018
Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, April 8, 2018
“Knowledge, if it does not determine action, is dead to us.” – Plotinus (204-270 AD)
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April 4, 2018
Thank you Coastal Neurological Institute, P.C. for your kind words
Thank you Jerry Golden, Chief Administrative Officer at the Coastal Neurological Institute, P.C. for your kind words about Lee and the Leading with Honor – it was an honor to serve you and your organization –
“Col Ellis spoke/taught at our state conference for the Alabama Medical Group Managers Association, and the response from our membership has been nothing short of outstanding. The Alabama MGMA could not have found a better speaker/American Hero to provide this content to our seasoned leaders as well as those new to leadership positions.”
Learn More about keynote presentations by Lee Ellis
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April 3, 2018
Find and Balance Your Leadership Tilt to Achieve Your Goals – Free Infographic
What’s your leadership tilt? Don’t know what we’re talking about? Honorable leaders know their natural behavior between getting results and building relationships.
Knowing your natural tendencies will help you compensate and be more balanced – check out the free infographic and let us know what you think –
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April 2, 2018
Giving Back Highlight – Gary Sinise Foundation
Lee believes deeply in giving back to the community. Lee and his wife Mary are longtime advocates of several organizations. Please know that a portion of Lee’s time and/or revenue are donated to veterans support organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation.
They serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. They do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
Please learn more about their mission – thank you!
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April 1, 2018
On This Day in Leadership History, April 1st
On this day in leadership history in 1954, The U.S. Air Force Academy was formed in Colorado. From its initial inception as a military academic institution for higher learning, almost 48,000 graduates have completed their training there, 45-50% of Academy graduates enter flight training after graduation, more than 600 have become doctors, and 39 have become astronauts.
What’s the leadership lesson? As an honorable leader, create an environment and culture where others’ dreams can be fulfilled (and not just your own).
U.S. Air Force Academy – Quick Facts
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March 30, 2018
Randolph Air Force Base at Sunset
This is sunset at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Shown are the Taj Mahal and the American flag, symbols of this famous base from the 1930s. It was the West Point of the air in World War II, and it’s where I did much of my flying. Always like to go back to this historical and beautiful base. Have a great weekend – LE
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