Lee Ellis's Blog, page 213
March 30, 2018
Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 30, 2018
“The elevator to success is not working. You’ll have to take the stairs.” – Joe Girard
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March 29, 2018
The Lewis Energy Private Museum of World War II Airplanes
Have you ever visited the Lewis Energy Private Museum of World War II airplanes in San Antonio? This is the P-39 Airacobra, the first airplane that I experienced as a 5-year old child. This plane was my first memory of becoming interested in flying when I saw it in person. Fun Fact: it’s the only airplane the U.S. Air Force ever made that had doors like a car.
Lewis Air Legends – Link
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Advice – Accountability Creates Sanctuary
Fantastic advice from speaker and trainer, Sam Silverstein, on “Accountability Creates Sanctuary”. He runs into a lot of leaders who mislead themselves — without realizing that’s what’s happening.
Here’s how they do it. They say things, like “My people aren’t creative – we need to get a creativity expert in here to talk to them.” Or: “My people aren’t great problem solvers – they need to get better at problem-solving. Go find me a program that will help them improve their problem-solving.”
Nine times out of ten, the problem is not with the team. The problem is with the leader!
Please read the article on his website and see if you agree –
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March 28, 2018
2018 Freedom Flyer Reunion – Pictures Inside
Last week, I was at Randolph Air Force Base on March 22 and 23 for a Freedom Flyers Reunion. Freedom Flyers are comprised of U.S. Air Force POWs who returned to flying status and requalified in 1973-1974. I was fortunate to be among that group, and my call sign was Freedom 34. This year, we were excited to be joined by five South Vietnamese fighter pilots who are trained at Randolph Air Force Base between 1960 and 1964.
These wonderful men had thousands of hours of combat time fighting the communist. Then when the communists were about to overrun Saigon in South Vietnam, they knew they and their families would likely be shot on sight. So they put their families on flights out of the country, and then flew there F-5 fighter planes over to Thailand. They have lived in the US since then. They love America, and we loved hearing their stories and being with them and their wives.
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Want to build a winning culture? Three-part advice inside
Want to build a winning culture in your family, team, or organization? First and most importantly, cultures are shaped by the values and beliefs established by leaders and shared by the people and groups in the organization. Positive cultures increase motivation, teamwork, and commitment.
With a clear understanding about core values, operating styles, and standards of behavior, people can focus their unique talents and energies toward common goals. A common mindset also enables people to operate independently, while remaining aligned with the values and policies of senior leaders.
To build it, create a culture with three parts — clarity, commitment, and creativity:
– Clarity about vision, mission, core values, and operational policies. Over-communication is a key to clarity—sharing it multiple times, multiple ways.
– Commitment to the organization’s mission and defined values. An over-arching principle in the military is a “Be responsible, No excuses” attitude, for example. Creating an attitude of ownership and healthy accountability with your team also cranks up the commitment level.
– Creativity to make the cultural story unique and compelling. What are some ways that you can make the culture-building process more fun or emotional? Think beyond a set of rules and descriptors.
Once the culture is defined, it must be communicated fervently and frequently, until it is caught and bought in every corner and on every level of the organization.
Please post your thoughts and experience below, too – thank you and keep leading with honor!
You can also read the entire article on this topic – “How Leaders Blend Diverse Behaviors into a Common Culture”
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March 27, 2018
The Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – “Surviving Hell: A POW’s Journey”
The Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – “Surviving Hell: A POW’s Journey” by Leo Thorsness. In honor and remembrance of the life of fellow Vietnam POW, Lee Thorsness (1932-2017), we’re featuring his book this month.
During a 1967 mission, he was shot down over North Vietnam. Injured and captured, he spent six years in the Hanoi Hilton. When the war ended in 1973, Thorsness was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Surviving Hell is a harrowing story of captivity, as uniquely told from his perspective. Learn More on the Good Reads website.
If you’ve already read this book, please comment below – thank you
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March 26, 2018
Spring Break is coming soon! Take Lee Ellis with you
Spring Break is coming soon! Take Lee Ellis with you on your road trip as he narrates his book, Leading with Honor. New lower price on Amazon.com – in CD or digital format.
Shop on Amazon.com
And if you’ve already listened to the audio book, comment below – thank you!
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March 25, 2018
On This Day in Leadership History, March 25th
On this day in leadership history in 1807, British Parliament abolished the slave trade. It would be 58 years later before the U.S. would abolish slavery.
What’s the leadership lesson? Besides the atrocities of the slave trade itself, the leadership lesson is to do the right thing even though others may not immediately follow your lead.
The Slave Trade Act of 1807 – Wikipedia
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March 24, 2018
Lee Ellis FAQ – “What are some of the qualities that high-performing teams?”
Here’s a Frequently Asked Question that Lee receives –
“What are some of the qualities that high-performing teams across various types of companies and organizations have in common?”
Answer –
“(1) They have high trust in each other. They are healthy, meaning they don’t have a lot of dysfunction and drama playing out in the workplace. (2) They have high morale and commitment to their mission, vision, and values. They have strong debate (creative conflict) over issues prior to making decisions. People get to air out their ideas in a passionate way and it’s not taken personally. (3) They engage with each other rather than have a few who dominate and a few who withdraw.”
Tell us below if you like this answer, and give a shout out to all of the honorable people that strive the lead the right way!
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March 23, 2018
Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 23, 2018
“Engaged employees yield engaged customers. Engaged customers yield happy, committed customers. Happy, committed customers enthusiastically use and enjoy your products and services as part of their lives.” – Lee Ellis
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