Lee Ellis's Blog, page 319

Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, December 26, 2014

“A moment of patience in moment of anger saves you a hundred moments of regret.” – Unknown

Merry Christmas from Lee Ellis and the Leading with Honor Team

A 1963 Christmas Classic – Proclaiming Peace and Hope

What’s your favorite Christmas song? Please share! We’re thinking back to 1963 when Bing Crosby was televised singing “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, a song of hope and peace during some turbulent times in our nation’s history. Merry Christmas to you!

The Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf – “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand

If you haven’t read or heard about the challenging and inspiring story of Louis Zamperini’s journey as a WWII Airman who was shot down over the Pacific Ocean, it is worth your investment of time.

Unbroken is an unforgettable testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit. Learn more about this book. 

If you’ve read this story, please share your thoughts and comments -

Six Ways To Beat Executive Job Stress

Let’s face it—the holidays can add extra pressure in work and business to get job done amidst additional activities of the season.

In this article from Forbes.com, the columnist shares Six Way to Beat Executive Job Stress. In a nutshell, these stress relievers are –

Know Your Stress Response.
Exercise.
Get Serious about Fitness.
Build in Stress breaks.
Rethink the work.
Learn from professional athletes.

Read more, and please share your comments -

On This Day in Leadership History, December 21, 2014

On this day in 1937, Walt Disney premiered its earliest animated classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. It was the first full-length cel animated feature film of its kind in motion pictures. Imagine the passion and visionary leadership that it took to stay focused and realize Disney’s dream come true?

No doubt that Disney understood his leadership strengths and struggles and brought other people around him that could help him bring his vision to reality.

If you have a dream or vision today, keep it alive, lead honorably through the process, and see it through to completion!

Identifying the Four Unhealthy D’s of Dysfunctional Leaders

By Lee Ellis

Earlier this year, someone sent me a Washington Post article about the Pentagon’s investigative actions to remove abusive leaders. One general was described as a profane screamer who was “cruel and oppressive”. Another leader was singled out as a verbally abusive taskmaster and still another was “dictatorial,” “unglued”, a master of “profanity-fused outbursts.” A power-hungry senior Department of Defense civilian was so bad her subordinates said that it was “like you were in a prisoner of war camp.”

Fortunately, I’ve never been assigned to an abusive, toxic leader except when I was in a Vietnam POW camp for more than five years. When I came home, I made a vow that I’d never serve under those conditions again.

“Freedom and dignity were much more important than any short term security.”

The problem exists in every field of work, and regularly I hear about someone leaving a good job they really liked because of a toxic leader. Unfortunately, there are ego-driven, angry, control freaks using their power to intimidate and destroy others. So what can you do about this problem as an organizational leader or trainer? It depends on your perspective and the resources that you have on hand to assess and analyze.

Are You a Toxic Leader?

If you even think you see yourself in the stories above, you may have a problem. Perhaps you have been rationalizing your behaviors and denying the damage that you’re doing. If so, you may be operating out of a term I coined a few years ago called “Progression in D Major” explaining the toxic behavior of dysfunctional dominant personalities. This term defines insecure people who have to be right at all cost. The progression goes like this –

When they’re wrong, they Deny.
Then when there is more evidence, they Defend by rationalizing.
Then when the facts persist, they Demonize those who expose them.
Finally, they seek to Destroy the career or reputation of their nemesis.

If you suspect that you’re a toxic leader, empower and ask someone who has the courage to give you honest feedback. Get a coach, use an assessment instrument like Leadership Behavior DNA™ to assess natural behaviors, and event take a 360 assessment to zero in on your issues and begin working to change.

“If you’re willing to do those things to develop new learned behaviors to balance your natural behaviors, there is definitely hope for you; if not, you’re a lost cause, and I pity those poor souls under you charge.”

Do You Have Toxic Leaders Working for You?

As a leader, one of your responsibilities is to know what’s happening in your domain. If you’re not sure, use organizational climate surveys and 360 assessments. If there’s a problem, take action to get the toxic leader fixed and back on track or out of the organization.

Do You Work for a Toxic Leader?

This is a tough situation. Find good counsel and look for a safe way to let the good leaders who are higher up in your organization know what’s happening. If they won’t take action, you have to decide about staying and endangering your health or making a move. Take your time to work through it with a good support team to help you deal with the emotions and plan your steps.

The Fix

“The solution to toxic leaders is found in courageous actions by other leaders who won’t tolerate those behaviors.”

Where do you fit in this arena and what should you be doing right now? Regardless, the answer will require you responding to the courage challenge—that is, lean into the pain of your fears to do what you know is right—for the organization, the team, and for yourself. It’s worth the effort to live and lead the right way—you can do it.

LE

“3 Characteristics of Successful Virtual Teams” – Leadership Insight

Many of you are working in virtual environments with remote access to other staff and team members. What’s the best way to lead and work in this environment?

Check out this helpful article from Blanchard LeaderChat on “3 Characteristics of Successful Virtual Teams” – click here

And, please also share your suggestions and experience!

On This Day in Leadership History, December 14, 2014

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole.

On this day in history in 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole. He reached the destination 35 days ahead of Captain Robert F. Scott.

Imagine the focused endurance and passionate commitment that it took to achieve this goal, and how does this equate to a leadership goal that you’re seeking right now? If you passionately believe in a goal that you want to achieve, stay focused, make steady progress, and don’t give up.

Daily Reminders of How to Lead with Honor – See Inside

Check out the Leading with Honor Online Store for daily ways to stay focused on leading the right way.

Daily reminders of how to lead with honor can help during moments of decision-making. One of the easiest ways is using Leading with Honor items such as reminder cards, wristbands, and more to keep your focus on leading the right way!

Check out our stocking stuffers in our Online Store, and please share if you’re already using some of these items – thank you!