Lee Ellis's Blog, page 83

2022 NamPOW Reunion Highlights

Mary and I had wonderful evening at the 2022 NamPOW reunion ball Saturday evening in Greenville SC. It was an outstanding five-day event with lots of time to hang out with our old cellmates from the Hanoi Hilton and other POW camps. There were four men and wives attending that ranged in age from 90 to 93. I was one of the youngest in the camps and greatly benefited from these senior leaders and role models.

 

 

At the 2022 NamPOW reunion in Greenville SC, my buddy and fellow cellmate Gene Smith and I met Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette of South Carolina. She was impressive, friendly and gave a very warm welcome to our audience in her brief presentation.

 

 

Two other couples at our table at the 2022 NamPOW reunion last week were Smitty and Louise Harris on the left and Gene and Lynn Smith on the right.�� We boys were long-term cellmates in the Hanoi Hilton, and then have been close friends ever since. Smitty was the one who brought in the tap code early in 1965. (Read about it in his book Tap Code). He was a POW for more than eight years. Louise raised their three children all alone and did a fantastic job. You can read the romance and love story of both these two couples in our new book that will be out next year, Captured by Love: inspiring true romance stories from Vietnam POWs.�� www.powromance.com

 

 

In the next photo are two more old buddies who were cellmates for a long time, too. Ron Mastin on the left and Jay Jayroe on the right.�� Their wives were not able to attend. But our table had five of us who had been together for a long time.

 

 

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Leadership History Lesson for June 5th

On this day in leadership history in 1917, American men began registering for the World War I draft. Over 4.7 million men and women served in the regular U.S. forces, national guard units, and draft units with about 2.8 million serving overseas.

What���s the leadership lesson? Without knowing the future, honorable leaders find a way to face it with as much courage and wisdom as possible.

World Way I – Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, June 3, 2022

“Decide that good character and values must rule your daily decisions.” ��� Lee Ellis

 

 

 

 

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Coaching Clip – Career Strategy Soft Skills that Make a Big Impact

In this segment of leadership coaching, Lee Ellis shares his personal and professional experience in career strategy that works in all phases of career development. Whether you���re just beginning your career or are a seasoned veteran in the workforce, understanding these four areas can put you ahead of the rest by leading with honor. Please watch this brief 5-minute clip –

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Also, read the companion coaching article on this topic – “Leading my Younger Self: What I���d Tell You Now”

The Best Graduation Gift – SAVE 30%

Purchase the foundational books from Lee Ellis and FreedomStar Media in one package.

Leading with Honor��is the original, award-winning book outlining the 14 leadership lessons learned in the POW camps of Vietnam. Engage with honor is the followup book that applies many of the original leadership lessons into a practical Courageous Accountability Model.

Purchase the Honor Two-Book Combo Package

 

 

 

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Coaching Blog – Leading my Younger Self: What I���d Tell You Now

Had I known then what I know now. How many seasoned, experienced leaders have said these words? Could you have avoided any mistakes? Could you be further along in your career, influence, and accomplishments?

Most of us would likely conclude that the mistakes and missed opportunities have made us who we are today, but the proposition of going back in time to advise your younger self is tempting!

My Personal Career Journey

Anyone in my shoes may say that my career trajectory was ���interrupted��� by a five-and-a-half-year incarceration in the Vietnam POW prison camps, but in retrospect it was a time of tremendous learning and growth. I was a young 24-year-old lieutenant fighter pilot who was simply loving the work that I felt called to do���fly airplanes. During those years in the camps, I had no lofty aspirations for becoming an influential leader or career military officer for that matter���no plan other than becoming free of the shackles of that period in my life.

However, I did have senior leaders in the POW camps who were pivotal role models credited with our tightly woven unity and survival. Did they have any intentional aspirations at a young age to navigate and lead through this season in their lives? Likely not, but they changed my life forever in many ways. What I learned during this experience has served every period in my life.

Advice to my Younger Self

In this season of graduations and transitions from high school to college to adult life, I���ve reflected on what I���d tell my younger self. Thankfully, I had great parents and mentors, so some of these points of advice were learned early on.

Here’s my 5-minute coaching clip on this topic. Watch it here, and then continue reading the blog below:

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Knowing now the challenges, disappointments, opportunities, and successes that I���ve experienced in my adult life, it would still be satisfying to stare myself in the eyes and make sure that I fully understood these five important points ���

 

Know yourself. Identify your natural behavioral talents and strengths for work and nurture them. Also, understand your struggles and learn how to manage them so that they don���t control you.

Take a good personality assessment that scientifically pinpoints your strengths, your best talents, as well as those struggles that aren���t your best (areas where you will need to adapt and struggle a bit just to be average).

Ask people around you what your natural talents are. Pay attention to areas that naturally interest and attract you and/or things that people come to you about asking for your help.

 

Be excellent in your work. Shine where you are no matter what you���re doing. Take ownership and be responsible and diligent even when others around you aren���t. When you apply your best talents at every opportunity, you will become highly reliable.

“Decide that good character and values must rule your daily decisions.” [Tweet This]

This will allow you to position yourself in the best possible way for the next door to open and when it comes.

 

Be a team player. Work hard to make your boss and team successful. Your natural strengths and struggles become even more important on this point.

Offer help in your areas of strength and manage your struggles as best you can, and then work with the strengths and struggles of others with patience and grace.

 

Develop relationships. Build your network and find mentors. If you���re an extrovert, try to go deeper in your relationships so that they stand the test of time. If you���re an introvert, stretch yourself to connect with others and be generous with your talents and skills.

 

Be intentional. Create a life and career plan with some specific goals, and then regularly coach yourself to follow through. Be aware that a job that���s not a perfect fit is a time for learning and honing your skills for the next step that will bring you closer to your final near-perfect fit.

 

What Would You Share?

Perhaps you have some leadership tips that you���d share with your younger self, or perhaps you are an emerging leader that has just graduated into the next stage of life. If you���re a young leader, allow me the privilege of sharing these points to make your life and career either a little easier or more fulfilling and purposeful.

“Choose the life of an honorable leader, and you will be rewarded with a future knowing that you���ve done the right thing and set yourself up for success at every turn.” [Tweet This]

LE [Tweet This Article]

The Best Graduation Gift – SAVE 30%

Purchase the foundational books from Lee Ellis and FreedomStar Media in one package.

Leading with Honor��is the original, award-winning book outlining the 14 leadership lessons learned in the POW camps of Vietnam. Engage with honor is the followup book that applies many of the original leadership lessons into a practical Courageous Accountability Model.

Purchase the Honor Two-Book Combo Package

 

 

 

The post Coaching Blog – Leading my Younger Self: What I���d Tell You Now appeared first on Leading With Honor��.

NAVAIR Keynote Address

Lee had a great day speaking at NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command). What a great group of leaders who are seeking to lead with honor. Thanks to Caitlin and CDR Charlie Steele for making it happen.

 

 

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Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day from Lee Ellis and the Leading with Honor Team

 

 

 

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Leadership History Lesson for May 29th

On this day in leadership history in 1912, fifteen women who worked at the Curtis Publishing Company in Philadelphia were seen dancing the ���Turkey Trot��� on their lunch break. The Turkey Trot was a fast-paced ragtime dance that originated in African American communities. Alas, Edward Bok, editor of the ���Ladies Home Journal,��� witnessed the dancing while at the Curtis offices and insisted the women be fired.

What���s the leadership lesson? Honorable leaders know not to make snap judgments. They gather the facts, and then deal with the issue.

The Turkey Trot Dance – Wikipedia

 

 

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Leading with Honor Wisdom for Today, May 27, 2022

���The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.��� ��� Winston Churchill

 

 

 

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The Latest Recommendation from Lee’s Bookshelf ��� ���Changing Altitude”

The Latest Recommendation from My Bookshelf ��� ���Changing Altitude: How to Soar in Your New Leadership Role���

You���ll want to check out this great resource from my friend and colleague, Greg Hiebert, and his co-author, Dennis O���Neill. In it, they provide you with a comprehensive framework for optimizing your impact and maximizing personal and professional growth.

When it comes to leadership, character counts. No matter your industry, experience, or responsibilities, this book is your official guide for becoming a more impactful leader.

Click to learn more and read reviews on the GoodReads website. If you���ve already read this book, please post your review and comments below ���

 

 

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