Lee Ellis
Have you ever had that sinking feeling in your stomach about going to meetings? There are many reasons we may dread meetings—they can be boring, ineffective, unfocused, not related to my responsibilities, poorly managed, a waste of time, and the list goes on and on. But in this blog we want to deal with […]
The art and discipline of listening—what an extraordinary skill for leaders! Honing this skill can strongly contribute to catapulting you to success, because everyone likes to talk and be heard. Listening well is another aspect of human nature that continues what I’ve been writing* about the last two months. It seems obvious, but things that […]
Do you celebrate great memories at certain times of the year? We all tend to hang on to those special times in our lives. March is one of those special times for me, because it was March 14th, 1973, when my group was released from the POW camps. As they called our names, we stepped […]
A big event this month is Valentine’s Day. It’s a special time related to romance and love, so this is a reminder to all. Don’t forget—plan and be ready to recognize your loved ones. Now, you may be wondering why Lee is bringing up this point in his leadership blog. Great question, glad you asked. […]
Think how it feels when you make a great decision—that warm and fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that everything worked out perfectly. I wish I could hit a homerun on every decision I make, don’t you? Making good decisions is crucial to having a good life and a successful career. Bad leadership choices can bring disappointment, […]
In last month’s blog we talked about the importance of believing in yourself and how that played out right before our eyes in the recent World Series. Believing in yourself is anchored in your identity. The more clarity you have about who you are, the more you can believe in yourself and manage yourself in […]
Have you ever had to coach yourself through a stressful moment and conquer the doubts and fears attacking your mind? Believing in yourself is always important, so let’s pause, reflect, and do some self-coaching on this point. 2021 World Series Revisited The recent Baseball World Series gave us a couple of good examples of how […]
Have you ever witnessed a leader keep a positive, caring influence intact amidst the harshest conditions? I often write and speak about the great leaders that we had in the Vietnam POW camps and how their positive, caring influence helped us to endure years of hardship and isolation and return with honor. Great leaders build […]
By Lee Ellis When you feel helpless to create change around you, it’s time to re-think and be aware of the areas that you do have influence. Recently, I’ve mentioned my concern about our national culture and the growing fractures and splits we are seeing. This month, it’s time to take culture down to the […]
Recently in preparation for a speaking event with a group of Air Force senior leaders, I reviewed two key documents issued in 2020 by the incoming Chief of Staff USAF General C. Q. Brown. I also listened to a podcast interview with him about his approach to leadership, and then I met him at the […]
Are boundaries a good thing, or are they restrictive? And what should be our courageous stance as leaders on this topic? Before we answer, let’s look back in time. July is the special month when we celebrate our nation’s independence, because it recognizes the monumental event when our Continental Congress declared independence from England. Most […]
As I look back on my life’s journey, one of the things that stands out most is that our happiness and success depend on our choices. Choose the wrong path and you’re virtually guaranteed to arrive at a destination that is less than your potential and may, in fact, bring discouragement and heartache. My focus […]
By Lee Ellis Have you ever thought why did it take so long to put wheels on luggage? (Perhaps if you are under 30 you assumed luggage had always had wheels.) In my and Hugh Massie’s recent book, Leadership behavior DNA: Discovering Natural Talents and Managing Differences, the Preface describes how there are often more […]
By Lee Ellis I just want to yell out, “Okay, I got it! Enough is enough.” Most of us are worn out from hearing how quarantine from the COVID crisis has thrown a monkey-wrench in our lives—both at home and at work. But the Gallup report that I received this week was so surprising it […]
The Golden Rule appears in seven major religions in the world as well as most societal cultures. Most of us know it from our religious training, but it’s also quite intuitive if you care at all about other people. It seems like an obvious and simple rule to guard our character, but it’s also quite […]
The frequent torture and abuse were indescribable, but they consistently met the challenge and bounced back. To this day, their example inspires me. I’m referring to our senior leaders in the crucible of the Vietnam POW camps. When the going got tough, their character and behaviors set the example that inspired and influenced the rest […]
As much as we endured in the year 2020 with a pandemic, lockdowns, a strife-filled presidential election, and economic upheaval, we know that 2021 will bring its own set of challenges. So, let’s get ready by making sure we are well grounded. Getting “grounded” as a pilot usually meant you were not allowed to fly—usually […]
I had already broken three promises, and the day wasn’t over yet! I was participating in an event specifically on the topic of self-governance and reliable follow-through, and in the heat of the moment I made some commitments that I couldn’t keep. While they were small things that others may not have remembered, they still […]
How many times have you heard from others in 2020, “You need to adapt”? If there ever was a time during which we’ve had to adapt, it’s been this year! Let’s continue talking about it but from a different angle that I think you’ll appreciate. The “loose-tight” leadership principle isn’t necessarily a new concept, as […]
Having a competitive spirit is usually a positive attribute in our culture. Whether in work, life, or play, we’re hard-wired to face competition with strength, tenacity, and the goal of winning. It’s the American way, but unfortunately, for many, winning has become the supreme, all-important goal! As we approach this very important 2020 election, […]