Lee Ellis's Blog, page 298

On This Day in Leadership History, August 23, 2015

On this day in leadership history in 1970, U.S. swimmer Gary Hall broke three world records at the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) outdoor swimming meet, held in Los Angeles, CA. Do you think that you have to be at the pinnacle of your profession to achieve your goals? Think again! Start where you are, be innovative and teachable, and keep moving forward –

Gary Hall – Wikipedia

A Special Invitation – The Inaugural Honor2Lead Live Simulcast Event

Coming up on Friday, September 25th! Produced as a leadership training experience via Simulcast, Honor2Lead is a live opportunity for leaders to learn, develop values in their organizations, and strengthen their resolve to become more ethical leaders in their chosen fields of influence.

Learn more about having your team or organization participate in this inaugural event.

Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, August 21, 2015

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” – Brene Brown

 

The Latest Leadership Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf for August 2015

Here is the Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – Son of a Soldier: Success is Not a Snapshot of Where You Are but Measured by the Obstacles You’ve Overcome by Eddie Williams.

More than being a child of a military parent, this book intimately shares his challenging experiences as a young, mixed race boy growing up in the 60’s, and how he kept going in spite of the frustrations.

Read the inspiring ways that he overcame and achieved great things in life and work. Well worth the read as you face your own obstacles –

Read More on Amazon.com

Revealing the Two Distinctions of Effective Communication with Your Team Members

We often read or hear in the media about leaders whose lack of courage reaped painful consequences. But these “spectacular” failures are just the tip of the iceberg. Doubts and fears of a much smaller magnitude have caused legions of leaders to fail in less obvious ways. Although these failures don’t make the newspapers, they nevertheless can suck the energy and life out of the people and organizations they affect. By learning to listen and engage in a healthy way, I believe that many of these less-obvious failures could be avoided.

Learn to Listen

Many leaders fail to listen to the ideas, opinions, and constructive feedback of others. Some go so far as to use intimidation to silence “threatening” ideas. Still others suppress ideas by dominating conversations and not allowing others to speak. These leaders may appear “macho” on the outside, but in reality their fears and insecurities send a loud message that they don’t want anyone to disagree with their view of the world.

Unfortunately, most of us know how exhausting and demoralizing it can be to work for a leader whose tender ego must be carefully guarded. Usually there is a graveyard outside this executive’s office that’s filled with the bodies of messengers who had the courage to provide honest feedback.

If you suspect that you are this type of person, let me encourage you to get a “leadership 360 assessment,” so your direct reports, peers, and manager (or board of directors) can give you candid, anonymous feedback. (Now, that will take some real courage on everyone’s part, won’t it!) If the results indicate a problem, don’t rationalize your behaviors or demonize the messengers. Engage the issues and grow into the leader you can be, the one that your followers deserve.

When the truth is courageously communicated, people and organizations flourish. But when doubts and fears hold sway, leaders avoid hard decisions and responsible actions, and instead look for a comfortable way out.

At best, team energy drains away and people don’t grow. Too often, fear and doubt cause bad judgment that derails the leader’s influence.

The Leadership Engagement Model

Leaders who lack courage to engage problems usually veer off course in one of two directions: they will either seek to dominate, or they will seek to withdraw (fight or flight; violence or silence.) Both of these counterproductive behaviors have the same root cause: fears and doubts. I’ve found the Leadership Engagement Model™ to be extremely helpful for improving the cooperation and productivity of teams working cross-functionally, especially if a “silo mentality” is prevalent. It has also been beneficial for strategic partners who have competing interests.

For example, in most medical communities a natural tension exists between the hospital and the physicians and clinics that use the hospital. Typically, one party tries to dominate to get its way, which in turn causes the other party to become distrustful and combative.

Eventually, emotions can get so raw that one party withdraws, or they both do. To halt this vicious cycle, the two sides need to courageously commit to engage in productive dialog, identify common goals, and implement agreed-upon solutions. Meaningful engagement occurs when each party fights for its ideas in a healthy, constructive way, while still being open to the ideas of others. This type of dialog is evidence of humility, courage, and confidence. Doubts and fears are normal. You can’t avoid them, but you can manage them. You can choose to override your feelings and do the right thing.

You can choose to lean into the pain for the good of others and yourself. Like the men in the POW camps you’ve read about, you can choose to be a strong leader by being courageous.

In what specific situations might you be dominating or withdrawing (e.g., by attacking or procrastinating) when you should be engaging? What choices do you need to make to engage issues you have been avoiding? Please share your comments in this forum.

LE

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The Leadership 360 Assessment is just of several report services available from Leadership Behavior DNA™. Leaders and team members that understand themselves and each other have an exponentially greater opportunity for success in work and business. Download a sample report, and learn more about the leadership development and report services from Leadership Behavior DNA at www.LeadershipBehaviorDNA.com

 

When you’re in a stressful moment and need to respond as a courageous leader, you have three ch oices – 1. you can withdraw | 2. you can dominate | 3. you can engage

What’s the difference between these choices? We invite you to apply the Leadership Engagement Model in the Courage Challenge. Learn More

 

 

Operation Exodus Speaks Out about Leading with Honor – See Inside

Lee Ellis and Leading with Honor are so grateful for these special words from Debra Minotti, President of Operation Exodus USA –

“I am personally inspired and challenged by the stories and leadership lessons in Col. Ellis’ book, Leading with Honor. I’ve also given a copy to all of my national directors, and I’m recommending Leading with Honor to other leaders.”

Click on the banner below to learn more about this worthwhile organization –

On This Day in Leadership History, August 16, 2015

On this day in leadership history in 1960, the free-fall world record was set by Joseph Kittinger. He fell more than 16 miles (about 84,000 feet) before opening his parachute over New Mexico. Records are made to be broken! If you’re in a particular industry, why not be the best? Do it honorably.

“6 Ingredients for a Winning Recipe of Success in a Competitive World” – Free SlideShare Presentation

Think of some of the best companies that you’re interacted with in the past. What makes them stand out? And does honorable leadership play a role? Lee Ellis shares “6 Ingredients for a Winning Recipe of Success in a Competitive World” in the SlideShare presentation below.

Please read and share your comments in this forum –

Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, August 14, 2015

“Good teams are committed to the team mission and to each other personally. Good leaders inspire and build this commitment and trust.” – Lee Ellis

The POW/MIA Flag is “Racist”? Lee Ellis Sets the Record Straight – Watch Inside

This morning on Fox and Friends with Brian Kilmeade, Lee Ellis brings truth to light on the recent claim that the POW/MIA Flag is “racist” in its nature and origin. Nothing like having a leader that actually experienced this period in history to set the record straight!

Please watch and share your thoughts –  

Link – Fox and Friends Interview