Lee Ellis's Blog, page 214
March 22, 2018
Part 2 Interview with Tom Crawford on Leadership
In this segment of Leading with Honor leadership coaching, Lee Ellis has a second interview with Tom Crawford, CEO and President of Crawford Corporate Coaching. As a CEO in several organizations since 1984, Tom has a wealth of experience and insight that he uses in his consulting practice.
In this interview, he shares some of that valuable experience. Please watch and share your comments below.
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March 20, 2018
Fill-in-the-Blank – “The most important quality to have a healthy team…”
Fill-in-the-Blank – “Based on my observations and experience, the most important quality to have a healthy team or work culture is ________________________.”
Please post your answers below – thank you
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March 19, 2018
How Leaders Blend Diverse Behaviors into a Common Culture
By Lee Ellis
Think of the organizations that have strong connections with you—more than great service or products, you have a strong, emotional connection with them. To achieve this level of engagement, they’ve likely worked very hard to create an internal culture that reflects their external culture.
Current Culture Examples
I realized how popular the NASCAR brand had become a few years ago while facilitating a group of PricewaterhouseCoopers consultants, most of whom were only a few years out of college. During a break in the action, two of the young ladies carried on a long, informed discussion about the Bristol Race, which had occurred the previous weekend. I was amazed to see how NASCAR had transcended its provincial beginnings and gained loyal fans in sophisticated business circles.
Zappos Shoes is another compelling example of building culture and employee engagement with its staff and customers. They’re so committed to creating a culture of passionate, engaged employees that they now offer $5000 to anyone that would like to leave the company at the end of their training period. If a one-time bonus exceeds one’s commitment to the Zappos brand, then they want to know at the beginning of the relationship.
There are many other examples of companies making their mark in their respective industries—Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, and Duke Energy just to name a few.
A successful organization’s cultural development process is more than a tactical plan—it’s a deeper layer that taps into the emotions and deep desires of human nature. [Tweet This]
The Honor of Building a Winning Culture
Organizational 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 also build a more cohesive culture, many organizations (and my clients) utilize behavioral assessment tools like Leadership Behavior DNA to meld the unique behaviors of team members into a cultural whole that maximizes the contributions of each person.
Establishing a culture requires 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.
The Big Payoff
What’s the payoff for creating strong employee engagement and a positive culture?
In a Gallup article, organizations that engage their employees grow their earnings more than 2.5 times faster than organizations that do not. In addition, “optimized” teams within an organization — those that are in the top 50% of teams on both employee and customer engagement — generate a 240% boost in financial performance compared with teams that fail to engage their employees and their customers.
In summary:
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. [Tweet This]
It’s an emotional process that yields positive strategic and tactical outcomes. What has been your experience and tactical steps to creating a winning culture? Please share your comments.
LE
Making Teams Better with Leadership Behavior DNA
This recent endorsement from one of our Leadership Behavior DNA clients says it all –
[image error]“As our company continues to grow and expand, building a more cohesive leadership team is critical to success. The Leadership Behavior DNA assessment along with the excellent training provided by our consultant Debbie has helped us build trust, improve communication and grow as individuals and in our roles as leaders. We are taking these insights about DNA natural behavior even deeper now as we learn how to relate to and manage others who are both similar and different to us. We can already see that this training is going to increase our engagement with all associates and ultimately with our customers.” – Kim Nelson, CEO, BankSouth Mortgage, Atlanta, Georgia
Ready to explore your options to personal and team dynamics? Contact an LBDNA Representative for a customized quote.
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CSPs – a small but esteemed group of professionals
Trusting to hire someone else for your organization can be risky, but hiring a CSP (Certified Speaking Professionals) gives you more security and confidence.
What is a CSP and why do only 1.5% of speakers worldwide have this designation? Please check out this link on our website.
Learn more about Lee Ellis keynote speaking.
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March 18, 2018
On This Day in Leadership History, March 18th
On this day in leadership history in 1834, the first U.S. railroad tunnel was completed between Hollidaysburg and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Driven through slate and lined with stone, the Staple Bend Tunnel was 901 feet long, 25 feet wide and 21 feet high and lined throughout with masonry 18 inches thick. It was for the Allegheny Portage Railroad, the first railroad to go west of the Alleghany Mountains.
The project engineer was Solomon White Roberts. The tunnel was started 12 Apr 1831. The restored tunnel is now a National Historic Site.
What’s the leadership lesson? If you have an obstacle in the pursuit of fulfilling your purpose, weigh the costs and then move forward with character and courage!
Staple Bend Tunnel – Wikipedia
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March 16, 2018
Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 16, 2018
“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” – Winston Churchill
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March 15, 2018
Fantastic Endorsement from NAVAIR Leadership Development
Very grateful for endorsements like this one from James Ward @ NAVAIR Leadership Development Programs Office, about the Leading with Honor message –
“One of the Naval Air Systems Command Leadership Development Program’s keystone events is our leadership speaker series where we invite leaders with vast experience into the classroom to speak to our mid-to-senior grade government employees. After reading Col. Ellis’ book, ‘Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton’, we felt that his experience would be a great fit to our program. After having him join us, we were able to see how powerful of a speaker Col. Ellis is.
He has a natural talent to connect to his audience and leaves them wanting more. One participant stated that ‘I have read a lot of leadership books and most are theory based. Col. Ellis brings his powerful leadership experience from one of the harshest conditions one could experience and shares those experiences with us; that resonated far more with me than any other leadership book I have read.’” Thank You NAVAIR!
Read More about NAVAIR
Read More about Lee Ellis Keynote Speaking and Training
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March 14, 2018
Happy 45th Anniversary Operation Homecoming!
On March 14, 1973, my POW cell mates and I went to a storage room and picked up a shirt, slacks, and our first pair of shoes in more than five years.
I looked over at Jim Warner and asked, “Jim is this the day?” He smiled with a big grin and replied, “Yes Leon, this is the day.” And it was. We were handed over shortly after Noon and went winging our way to freedom—after 1955 days in the camps.
Hallelujah!! God has blessed me more than I can describe as we celebrate today the 45th Anniversary of our release. Every year is a year worth celebrating! Grateful for freedom and remembering those that paid the ultimate price today.
Operation Homecoming – Wikipedia
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March 13, 2018
Need to get unstuck and produce results in leadership? 3 ways inside
Do you need to get unstuck and start getting results in both life and leadership? Lee suggests 3 ways below. Soft skills? Think again – see if you agree:
Character provides the ideal and expected values and associated behaviors that will enable us to live and lead with honor. Given the right circumstances, this knowledge of duty—of right and wrong—can be rationalized and ignored. We need courage to keep us on track.
Courage is essential to living up to our character ideas. Without it, we’ll not be able to live up to our desired character values—doubts and fears will take us out and we’ll fold under pressure. Lean into your doubts and fears to do what you know is right.
Commitment is like an ever-present mirror that reminds us of our vows, our obligations, our loyalties, and our duties. Commitment reflects back as a reminder of who we are and what we stand for.
Want to get daily results? Apply these 3C’s even when:
decisions are hard.
vulnerability is required.
reliability is needed.
execution of responsibility is essential.
fear of failure creeps in.
ambiguity and uncertainty develop.
we want to stand up for what we know is right—even when risks are involved.
Stay positive and encouraged as you lead with honor today! Please post your thoughts below – thank you
Also, read the entire article on this topic – “3 Ways to Avoid a Bad Leadership Reputation”
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March 12, 2018
Leading with Honor Freedom Package – Save 30%!
For a limited time, we’re offering the Leading with Honor Freedom Package that can be used as a personal study at 30% off retail. Take one chapter at a time using the book and a study guide, and set your own pace to read about the 14 leadership lessons Lee learned through the crucible experience of the Vietnam POW camps.
It can also be used for group training.
Download a sample lesson
Purchase in the Online Store
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