Lee Ellis's Blog, page 248

So grateful for the endorsements about Engage With Honor

So grateful for the endorsements that keep coming in for Lee’s latest award-winning book, Engage with Honor – here are a few more – thanks for the opportunity to share:

“Lee’s philosophy of respect for the individual and integrity (two of Swagelok’s core values) are on display for the reader. His experiences should serve as an inspiration to anyone who wants to take their organization to the next level of performance.” – Arthur F. Anton,  Chairman, President and CEO, Swagelok Company

“I’m honored to endorse Lee’s book. He is an inspiration to us all. Lee relates his own experiences to prepare you to become a better leader.” – Bruce N. Whitman, Immediate Past Co-Chairman, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation; Chairman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International

“His Courageous Accountability Model holds true whether you raising a family, managing a 5 person working group or leading a Fortune 500 company. Engage with honor is precision engagement at its best.” – Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, USAF (Ret)

Read what others are saying about Engage with Honor.

Purchase your copies in the Online Store.

 

 

The post So grateful for the endorsements about Engage With Honor appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 17, 2017

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” – H Norman Schwartzkoph

 

 

The post Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, March 17, 2017 appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Narcissistic Leadership Tendencies? 9 Behavioral Warning Signs

By Lee Ellis

Typically, narcissism is historically associated with physical beauty. You may recall that in Greek mythology, Narcissus was the handsome young man who became so enchanted with the image of himself in the pool that he could not pull away. Today we hear about a leader who has narcissistic tendencies, but it’s not so much about their physical beauty as their strong, offensive ego.

Before dismissing this diagnosis as impossible in your own leadership, Psychology Today describes the full blown disorder this way –

“Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves arrogant behavior, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration–all of which must be consistently evident at work and in relationships. People who are narcissistic are frequently described as cocky, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding….and may be convinced that they deserve special treatment.”

Sliding Out of Balance

“Actually, it’s my observation that many leaders have some inclination to slide out of balance into narcissism” [Tweet This].

Consider some of these leadership strengths and what happens when they get too strong –

– Confident – Self-centered, talk mainly about their agenda, discount others

– Decisive – Opinionated–sometimes wrong but never in doubt

– Initiating – Too aggressive to get what they want

– Outgoing – Need to be the center of attention

– Accurate – React strongly to constructive feedback

– Take charge – Controlling, believing that they are smarter, superior

– Strategic – Manipulative of others to get what they want

– Logical and Objective – Insensitive to the feelings and needs of others

– Visionary – Blame others when something goes wrong

Now if you have a strong, confident personality, you may lack self-awareness of these unbalanced traits when you look in the mirror, but others notice them. To avoid acquiring a full-blown case of NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder), evaluate how many of these struggles show up in your thoughts and behavior and imagine how others experience you.

My Own Self-Awareness

You may wonder how I can be so “decisive and confident” in making these assertions. Aside from using and doing research with personality/behavioral assessments for 30 years, I have several of the strengths above and some of my closest friends do too.

Confidentially, my friends and I share some of our narcissistic struggles with each other.

“But like most people, strong personalities can swing from feelings of high confidence to insecurity several times a day.” [Tweet This]

The Opposite Side of the Spectrum

Recently in a leadership development training event, one leader who was outwardly the opposite of many of these strong characteristics was singled out for his leadership excellence. In the discussion, some of his more ego-driven peers encouraged the more humble leader to actively promote himself, saying that many of his achievements were often going unnoticed. Basically, his peers’ “decisive and confident” advice was to blow his own horn more so that others would take notice.

In reflecting on this experience, I came to the conclusion that the whole issue of outward ego strength could be put on a visual continuum – at least for purposes of discussion:

Low self-esteem > Passive > Humble — Balanced > Strong ego > Arrogant > Narcissist

Based on past experience, I would expect the following division in the general population –

– 1/3 lean toward a strong ego even egotistical.

– 1/3 lean toward a reticent or quiet ego.

– 1/3 are more balanced.

Since it’s part of our natural DNA behavior at birth, we don’t have much control of where we land on this continuum (other than occasional exceptions resulting from tragic life experiences). You may think there is some advantage to being on one side or the other, but both have their strengths and struggles.

You can be a great leader from either side, and reports like Leadership Behavior DNA can help pinpoint your natural behaviors.

Maximizing Strengths, Minimizing Struggles

Regardless of where you are on this continuum, you can be a great leader. How can you coach yourself to maximize your strengths and minimize your struggles? Here are three valuable tips:

Gain more self-awareness of how others see you. What traits can you do more or less of to be more effective?


If you’re humble and reticent –

– Believe in yourself and the value you bring to the table and assert yourself into situations.

– Speak up to share your insights and ideas. Challenge issues when you disagree.

– Stretch and take on high profile challenges that match your natural talents.

If you naturally have a strong ego –

– Solicit input and practice active listening.

– Set aside your agenda and become more aware of the other person’s feelings and your own feelings in the moment.

– Consider how you can affirm, encourage, and support others.

We all have the opportunity and responsibility to lead others in becoming a more balanced leader. Abraham Lincoln has been called our greatest president and is an interesting example in this discussion. You can read more about his leadership balance in this case study. Whatever you do, choose to be a balanced, honorable leader!

LE

Special Offers

Leadership Behavior DNA – Know Your Leadership Strengths and Struggles

[image error]Lee began observing leadership behaviors while serving as a junior officer in the POW camps of Vietnam. There he witnessed talented and courageous leadership that contributed to their survival, resilience, and victorious return home. Then later in his career as a military officer leading two military schools and now a corporate consultant and trainer, the conclusion is that leadership always makes a difference.

Learn More about Leadership Behavior DNA Reports and Training Services, and download a free sample report.

 

 

Free Offer – Identifying and Mastering Your Leadership Balance

[image error]What were the leadership attributes that enabled President Abraham Lincoln to balance both getting results and nurturing relationships? Did you know that 40% of the population leans towards results-oriented behaviors, another 40% lean toward relationships-oriented behaviors, and the remaining 20% are somewhere in between? If you’ve ever encountered a leader that was heavily focused on work and getting results without a lot of social interaction, you’ve experienced an out-of-balance, results-oriented leader!

Download a free copy of Lee Ellis’ “Leadership Balance Case Study” to learn more about balancing these two areas in your own leadership.

 

 

 

 

The post Narcissistic Leadership Tendencies? 9 Behavioral Warning Signs appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Don’t Widen the Plate – A Fantastic Baseball Lesson in Leadership

In a world where it seems that many people want to bend or change the rules to fit their personal agenda, this article bucks that trend.

In this inspiring baseball story, retired coach John Scolinos shares his experience on the topics of accountability and facing challenges with courage.

You have to read it – check it out on the Sperry Baseball Life website.

 

 

The post Don’t Widen the Plate – A Fantastic Baseball Lesson in Leadership appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Employee Engagement Checklist – 5 Steps to Better Results

What are some things honorable leaders can do to build relationships and increase employee engagement? Relationship connections are a need of human nature in every generation, and it’s a real stumbling block for strong leaders that don’t understand this fact. 70% of Americans are not arriving at work committed to delivering their best performance.

Here’s a 5-point checklist:

View every person as special and with the talents to make unique and needed contributions to the workplace.
Communicate your belief in others and help them see their potential to make significant contributions by using their talents.
Help them develop their talents and navigate to roles where they can be even more successful.
Connect with their heart by affirming their efforts and contributions. Everyone wants to feel needed, valued, and like they are making an important contribution.
Listen to their ideas and implement them where possible. Every person wants to be heard. For many of us listening is a sacrifice. We have to suffer to stay in the moment and truly hear what the other person is sharing. But the payoff is huge in building a relationship.

Please share your comments and experience too – thank you

Read the entire article on this topic.

The post Employee Engagement Checklist – 5 Steps to Better Results appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Happy 44th Anniversary Operation Homecoming!

Every year is a year worth celebrating! Today is the 44th Anniversary of my and my brothers release from the prison camps of Vietnam. Grateful for freedom and remembering those that paid the ultimate price today.  

 

 

The post Happy 44th Anniversary Operation Homecoming! appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Clarify–Connect–Collaborate–Closeout. This Graphic Shows You How – See Inside

How many of the 7 core behaviors in the Honor Code do you use everyday? Let’s all encourage each other live with character, courage, and commitment – feel free to share this graphic!

Please use and share with others.

You can also download the 8.5×11 Honor Code version.

 

 

The post Clarify–Connect–Collaborate–Closeout. This Graphic Shows You How – See Inside appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Engage with Honor Launch Package Special Offer is Still Available – See Inside

Just a heads-up that 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 – visit the Online Store for details.

 

 

 

The post Engage with Honor Launch Package Special Offer is Still Available – See Inside appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

On This Day in Leadership History for March 12, 2017

On this day in leadership history in 1884, Mississippi establishes 1st US state college for women. Mississippi University for Women is still in operation today and has taught many notable graduates working in various industries today.

What’s the leadership lesson? See a need, fill a need!

Mississippi University for Women – Wikipedia

 

 

The post On This Day in Leadership History for March 12, 2017 appeared first on Leading With Honor®.

Giving Back Highlight – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF)

Lee and his wife Mary are longtime advocates of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) with their time and financial contributions.

There are more than 58,000 names on The Vietnam Memorial Wall. Every single one of them has a story that you can help keep alive.

Please Learn More about them and share with others – thank you

View our Giving Back to learn about more worthy organizations.

 

 

The post Giving Back Highlight – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) appeared first on Leading With Honor®.