Lee Ellis
Everywhere I turn I hear people talking about the need to increase performance via new processes and/or raising employee engagement. Great ideas, but change and growth must start with leaders first, and that’s a nasty proposition for many leaders who have done the same thing for most of their careers. For the last four decades, […]
Have you ever noticed that things are not as they seem? The deeper context of some recent volatile situations brings to mind the powerful image in the age-old statement about the wolf in sheep’s clothing. It came to me again this morning as I was doing a weekly reading in Essays on Ethics by Rabbi […]
The expression “Hindsight is 2020” now seems to be a two-edged sword that will cut into history for generations and perhaps centuries to come. We are all part of this watershed year that will determine the course of our culture and country. The Year of Change First it was the COVID-19 Coronavirus that caused us […]
In the childhood fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, the story ends with “slow and steady wins the race.” Does it really? As leaders, we’ve been bombarded the last few months with fast changes that require the ability to adapt quickly. It’s in seasons like this one that steady and consistent are our foes. And […]
What’s the one thing that leaders and teams want right now more than anything else? It was confirmed to me again recently during a distance learning webinar that we presented for over 100 participants. I asked the following question, “From a professional perspective when reflecting on the last few weeks, what has been your biggest […]
It is ironic that the “Corona Virus” brings to mind the wisdom of an old expression about a phrase related to a crown, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” But it’s never been truer than now because leaders must lead. Consistently leading with honor is a challenge in good times but requires much […]
By Lee Ellis You’re a very talented person. I hope you know that. But you’re not alone. Everyone has talents. The specific challenge is to discover them and then pursue and develop the ones that you’re passionate about using. In professional sports, teams spend a lot of time and money assessing the talents of candidates […]
By Lee Ellis Communicating and working with an opposite personality can be a daunting task, and it takes a mature level of interpersonal skill to do it effectively. But there’s a foundational rule that can help. In our training workshops, we talk about managing differences by analyzing the strengths and struggles of two people with […]
Sharing time with like-minded people just feels good, doesn’t it? Connecting with cohorts with the same outlook, interests, skills and perspective is easy. Then, here comes someone that’s exactly your opposite. Ugh, now what? For honorable and mature leaders and team members, now the challenge is on to step up and make these opposing relationships […]
Leadership and Teamwork success are highly correlated to good relationships. Have you logically considered what that really means? If so, you realize that science will not be enough to succeed. Whenever you introduce relationships into the arena you have to deal with the many variables of human nature, many of which do not seem logical […]
Who doesn’t love a confident, engaging, thoughtful leader? We all need to believe in ourselves, but the reality is that we’re most healthy and self-aware when we accept our imperfections and struggles. Not convinced? Here’s my persuasive argument based on years of experience. Watch this month’s Leading with Honor Coaching, and then continue with the […]
“Think or Die.” In our day-to-day work, most of us would consider this statement to be pretty dramatic. But for F-16 pilots, their slogan is defined as a keen level of “SA” or “Situational Awareness” because it’s a matter of life and death in their work. 700 Feet per Second Awareness F-16 pilots mainly serve […]
Have you ever had to fight for clarity in a meeting or conversation? Early on in my military training at Air University, our professors who taught speaking and writing courses told us repeatedly to “fight for clarity.” When lives are at stake while flying multi-million dollar pieces of equipment, clarity was crucial for us. Clarity […]
The longer I live, the more convinced I am of the power of connection—and especially connections of the heart. Unlike computers, rocks and steel, we humans have emotions and spirits that can be lifted, energized and ignited by a relational connection. We know that but grossly underestimate the power of those connections. Our Strongest Connections […]
<<<Also, watch this month’s Special Interview with Consultant and CEO, Cindi Filer – Watch Now>>> Freedom isn’t free, is it? Whether it’s enjoying our national freedom and independence or the freedom to discover your true self, it takes work and sacrifice. This month, we celebrate the privilege of being citizens of this country. Of course, […]
<<<Watch the interactive coaching video on the topic of exceeding expectations.>>> Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by someone who exceeded your expectations? Someone who put careful thought into their interaction with you and simply made you feel special? Wonderful feeling, wasn’t it? My wife Mary and I had that experience recently, and it reminded […]
<<<New this Month! Interact with other viewers in a new social collaboration environment when you watch this month’s coaching video. Click to sign up and get instant free access.>>> If you’ve ever ridden a seesaw, you know what happens when the weights on each side are very different—it’s not as fun and it takes more […]
“The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to help people to think more highly of themselves.” – J. Carla Nortcutt Most great stories have a struggling protagonist and a mentor—someone who speaks into their life to help them find […]
Good news—bad news. You and the leaders, teammates, peers, and family, friends, and neighbors in your life are amazing human creations with unique talents, skills, and perspectives. But as amazing and valuable as these people are, we also must consistently respect, communicate, and manage the challenges that come with this uniqueness. It is the duty […]
In this article, let’s focus on the core of our identity, which is more than your vocation or hobbies represented in the outer circles below—it’s the inner self that truly defines who you are: Outward Confidence is Not Inner Confidence As a 24-year old kid, I thought my identity was very clear. In the outer […]