Episodi

  • Join the journey of becoming a more focused thinker.

    90% of the distractions that keep you from being a focused thinker come from within.

    Nir Eyal

    Two open-ended questions to ask yourself after a significant experience:

    #1: What do I think about myself and my leadership?

    #2: What value did I add?

    What did I add that was useful? What did I add that was meaningful? What did I add that was unique and had enduring potential?

    The bottom line:

    Start from within if you want to be a more focused thinker. 

  • Collaborative Thinking Elevates Cerebral Leadership!

    Leadership is not a race to the finish but a dive to the deep!

    Six Essential Principles in a Successful Collaborative Thinking Group:

    Value yourself and others.Proceed with intentionality.Embrace a purpose-driven mentality.Strive for equity with no perspective unnoticed.Stand ready for debate.Never neglect activation!

    As a Cerebral leader, ask yourself: Are our current metrics driving us toward a success that is enduring, transformative, and significant?

    Fact check, 4/23/24: Today, I had the opportunity to join the virtual launch of High Road Leadership, John Maxwell’s newest book.  During the opening, I learned that John has written 90 books and sold 30 million!

    #CerebralLeadership #CollaborativeThinking #TransformationalLeadership #HealthyLeadership #MeasureTheMoments #MaxwellLeadership

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  • Reimagining Work-Life Balance

    Discovering work-life balance isn't found outside of us but within us!

    Two questions you may want to consider:

    What perspective do I have about work-life balance that needs to shift? Which system in my life highly influences me and needs reexamination?

    In The Song of Significance, Seth Godin writes, "We need to make a living, but how do we make a life?"

    You can connect with me at [email protected]


  • Up-and-Coming Leaders: The Shaping of our Future

    Three opportunities for leaders to support those who are up-and-coming!

    Opportunity #1: Provide the space for emerging leaders to become a larger version of themselves.

    Opportunity #2: Model the value of connecting with those who can contribute to their growth (after learning to grow from within).

    Opportunity #3: Support gaining a depth of expertise before branching out to lead others.

    You are invited to listen to The Practice of Intentionality

    Dr. Nina Ellison - YouTube

    Connect with me at [email protected]


    #emergingleaders #healthyleadership #CityYearColumbia #intentionality


  • Making Choices That Matter Most

    Join me in considering the leadership skill needed for identifying choices that carry the most significant weight. This is not just about making good choices; this is about gaining the skill to ensure you are focused on the highest priority choices that drive success and make a lasting impact.

    To gain this skill, I believe you will need to lean into the following six qualities:

    Think Critically.Acknowledge diverse viewpoints.Bring Emotional Strength.Adapt based on evolving circumstances.Pursue courage.Align priorities.

    You can connect with me at [email protected]

  • Lighting up Liminal Spaces

    Liminal spaces are that space between past and present. Liminality is the "in between", a transition from where you have been to where you are going. Liminal space is like standing on the edge of a precipice of something new but not quite being there yet.

    Here are 6 recommendations that will help a leader prepare for the liminal spaces in their lives:

    Accept that you have entered a liminal space. Recognize it and don't resist it. Confirm as quickly as possible what you can control in this liminal space. Identify areas where you have the agency to reduce anxiety.Reflect on past liminal spaces you've experienced and what strategies worked. Learn from your own history. Pay attention to your communication. Identify the role you are choosing to play: Villan, victim, hero and/or guide. Seek guidance and support from the right people.

    Today you are invited to join a FREE 3 day challenge called New Angle Exploration. This challenge comes from the Healthy Leadership Academy. Uncover your leadership potential with Dr. Nina Ellison | Healthy Leadership Academy (look for Stride 2. A Fresh Perspective, New Angle Exploration).

    Here's a peek at the introduction to New Angle Exploration on my YouTube Channel Introduction to 3 day challenge New Angle Exploration - YouTube

    Ways to connect with me: https://ninaellison.com/link-tree

  • Launchpad Leadership:

    Some advantages of being a launchpad leader:

    1.            Sets a standard for growth and being growth minded

    2.            Helps guide the hiring process.

    3.            Helps leaders to get to know others in the early days of their employment.

    Some challenges in committing to be a launchpad leader:

    1.            People are going to leave

    2.            Accepting that investing in people is worth the emotional and operational toll

    3.            Having those on the launch pad stay long enough for character and leadership

    growth while also bringing value to the business.

    4.            The launch pad leader must avoid carrying the weight of others development. Young leaders need to be hungry to launch but humble to learn

    Bottom line:

    1.            Bet on leaders and bet on hope

    2.            Being a part of the bigger picture is worth the risk.

    Let me help you Unleash Your Potential at Healthy Leadership with Dr. Nina Ellison | Home

  • When I see a leader who is thriving, I notice someone who has a consistent thread in their life of energy and enthusiasm. They are willing to explore with courage.

    Thriving in leadership is about the choices we make, not the situation we live in.

    We choose to make choices that enable us to thrive.:

    8 questions derived initially from Dr Laurie Schreiner's content (Thriving Quotient) that will open your mind to see your willingness to pursue thriving:

    1.      Can I identify that I am actively engaged in a learning process?

    2.     Am I putting in the necessary effort to reach my important goals?

    3.    Am I effectively managing my time and commitments?

    4.    Am I connecting with others in healthy and positive ways?

    5.     Am I optimistic about the future?

    6.    Am I positive about the choices I am presently making?

    7.  How can I tell that I appreciate differences in others?

    8.   Am I committed to enriching my community?

    You can find me at Unleash Your Potential at Healthy Leadership with Dr. Nina Ellison | Home

  • LEADING WITH DISCERNMENT

    Discernment is an essential leadership skill resulting in powerful outcomes.

    Discernment brings clarity and wisdom to the table.

    3 ways to add discernment to your daily life:

    Optimize timeOptimize resourcesOptimize your own instincts

    Are there benefits to becoming a discerning leader?

    First Possible Benefit: the power of discovery

    Second Possible Benefit: patience

    Third Possible Benefit: depth in leadership

    Resources:

    Unlock your voice, your place and your path.  Accept your invitation to a FREE 3 day challenge called From Doubt To Confidence: https://learn.ninaellison.com/from-doubt-to-confidence

    Find me:

    FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyLeadershipwithNinaEllison

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/drninaellison/

     Personal Web: www.ninaellison.com

    Join the 12 stride journey for emerging leaders at my  Healthy Leadership Academy https://learn.ninaellison.com/academy

    Email me at [email protected]

  • Insights into Positive Compromise

    Some of the most sought-after soft skills are problem solving, collaboration, and negotiation. All of these include the skills needed for positive compromise.

    Three primary approaches with leaders around this idea of positive or negative compromise:

    #1. The first group acknowledges the possibilities in positive compromise serving as a necessary tool for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation and collaboration.

    #2. The second group of leaders talk about the act of compromise as a negative, undesired strategy that undermines a leader’s authority and influence.

    #3. The third group of leaders seek to find compromise that is both positive and negative. These leaders seek to find a middle ground where all involved find at least some of their needs being met.  A concern with the balance act of this third group is that, over time, changes subtly move the group away from the initially accepted “middle ground” and movement shifts towards either end of compromise.

    THE BIG MISCONCEPTION IN COMPROMISE: In any compromise there is always and only a right and a wrong.

    The priorities of positive compromise remain the same:

    each person’s fundamental beliefs and value are non-negotiable.   each person’s identity is not being challenged. each person is respected in their desire for autonomy and freedom.

    Here are 5 steps you can follow with positive compromise:

    1. DEFINE THE SITUATION

    2. COMMUNITY MATTERS

    3. GENERATE OPTIONS

    4. DISCOVER ALTERNATIVES

    5. AGREE ON NEXT STEPS 

    Call me: Healthy Leadership Contact

     

  • Economic opportunities with soft skills

    As a leadership strategist, I help leaders grow through the development of the

    soft skills that are in demand in our job market today.

    One way you, as a leader, moves from success to significance is that you become adept in

    leveraging the balance between hard and soft skills every day.

    Hard skills are demonstrated through technical expertise with clearly measured goals and action plans. Hard skill development often focuses on the WHATHard skills are vital to the success of a leader’s career. Hard skills are what I call the “knowing”

    Soft skills emphasize the transformation of people with changes that make a difference in people’s lives.Soft skill development is more about the HOWSoft skills are vital for the significance of a leader’s journey! Soft skills are what I call “the living”

     Discerning the dynamic balance of these two skill sets provides the right questions for you as you pursue your desired goals AND empower changes in people’s lives!  I call this dynamic balance the significance framework:

    Hard skills + Soft skills = Significant Leadership 

    Research of David Deming, Harvard professor, economist and premier analyst in skill development reveals that there is a decline of cognitive skills in predicting labor-market wage success while the economic importance of noncognitive skills has increased. Another way of saying this is that the job market, the supply and demand of labor, has demonstrated that soft skills are now predicting wage success over hard skills.  Deming goes on to say that the share of US employment has grown at a faster rate for those professional jobs that rely on analytical and interpersonal interaction.

    Here are some questions for self-reflection and discussion:

    When was the first time you realized how important soft skills were to your leadership development?Are you ready to clearly articulate the economic difference seen with soft skills in your work?Should there be even more intentional soft skill development in your workplace? Where do you see that soft skills are making a difference in the net margin? How have you seen soft skills impact the profitability of your company?

    Thank you for joining me on the Art of Leadership.  I help leaders who are seeking a fresh perspective to growth and development!


    Call me: https://www.healthyleadership.online/contact


  • Self-awareness in all seasons

    "I must know who I am before I can go telling.

    How can I share myself, if I don’t know who I’m sharing"

    Dr Nina Ellison at age 13

    Uncovering who you are, what you are, how you are and why you are! This is self-awareness! Being aware of the who, what, how and why of YOU plays a key role in how you approach new seasons.

    “A workplace that encourages self-awareness is an environment where the most productive, curious, and innovative people thrive.” – Neil Blumenthal

    Our lived experience demonstrates that self-centeredness blocks the promotion of self-awareness.

    There is a tendency towards self-centeredness when:

    1.            I have little curiosity about others’ perspectives. Often the conversation I have with others focuses on my own story and leaves little to no room for others to enter in with their experiences and story.

    2.            I find I have no desire to receive feedback about being self-centered.  In the past others have indicated that there is opportunity for me to change but I don’t see that there is any need for change. Another way of saying this is that I frequently hold on to my way being the right way.  

    3.            I see within myself a heightened experience of frustration when events do not go as I expected.

    4.            I often disregard rules and guidelines, believing they don’t apply to me. 

    The greatest challenge you will face will be increasing your self-awareness is how you want to lead yourself and then how you choose to lead and learn from others.

    “You can't get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.” – Ernest Hemingway

    Four questions that will add value to your growth as a self-aware leader.

    1.            In this new season who, what, how and why will I lead myself?

    2.            What is my sweet spot where I am at my very best? My strengths?  My talents?

    3.            What is one way I will increase my self-discipline to advance the things I do well?

    4.            What is my personal purpose?

    To be successful as a self-aware leader in your next new season of life, take the purpose you have identified within YOU and model it while helping those your influence to solidify their purpose, define their strengths and move forward with a new level of self-awareness. 

    As a soft skill expert, I discuss the skills that can be intentionally pursued to make a difference in your leadership.  In today’s job market, it is well known that employees who demonstrate a balanced combination of hard and soft skills are in greater demand. 

    Leaders who are self-aware:

    1.            Are more effective in the workplace

    2.            Have better relationships with those they work with

    3.            Recognize the significance of purpose and passion in their everyday life.

    4.            Continue in the development of emotional stability

    The concepts of character and core values are gaining momentum. Soft skill matter!

    Are you ready...

  • Gratitude is a load-bearing word

    If gratitude is an active choice and not a passive emotion, then learning how to develop gratitude is a skill that can be acquired – a soft skill. 

    Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Anonymous

    Lilly’s Lessons in Gratitude:

    Gratitude, found in hard times, shapes character  Gratitude, like a new prescription of eyeglasses, reframes thought and behaviorGratitude, serves as an antidote, counteracting the poison of bitterness in times of chaos and difficulty

    “I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.” Gahndi

    Three steps that build and solidify a baseline of gratitude:

    The first step: Articulate what you are grateful for.

    The second step: Develop an expectation

    The third step: Choose ways to authentically use the word gratitude in your everyday language

  • Back to exploring the soft skill of being teachable…. 

    Learning, Unlearning, Relearning: Part 2

    “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. “Alvin Toffler

    Why is unlearning is more difficult than learning?

    First, learning is not implemented through a google search or a new app.  Unlearning comes through self-awareness and networking with others to gain new insights and knowledge. Unlearning includes the “people factor”

    The second reason unlearning is so difficult is that fear rises within when faced with the unknown. When you engage in unlearning you move outside of your comfort zone. 

    “If we are growing, we will always be out of our comfort zone” John Maxwell

    Third, with unlearning. you are moving away from the security of knowledge that has been helpful to you in the past. 

    Fourth, there may be a reluctance to say goodbye to short cuts that have been helpful in the past.

    Finally, it may be difficult to even want to unlearn, when you think you are functioning adequately on a daily basis and are getting by. 

    Researcher, Dr Chris Robitscheck, has demonstrated that one of the key elements of personal growth is being ready to change. This cycle of learning, unlearning and relearning moves you into a ready stance for change!

    THE LEARNING PROCESS REQUIRES SELF AWARENESS:

    THE UNLEARNING PROCESS REQUIRES A PASSION FOR SIMPLICITY: Keep it simple: 

    1. Pick one thing.

    2. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to let it go of this thing?” 

    3. Ask yourself (and others) “What is the opposite of the one thing I’ve picked?”.

    Confirming the opposite of the thing moves you towards your readiness to relearn.

    THE RELEARNING PROCESS REQUIRES FOCUSED EXPLORATION:  Focus on asking 2 key questions:

    1. What do I want to change?

    2. What do I value that will sustain the change.

    We do need to know ourselves but even the most self-aware leader knows that we need others as well.

    Collaboration is where the future always is.  Carlos Dominguez.

    Resources:

    Reach out to me @ https://www.healthyleadership.online/contact  I can help you in your own growth as a leader.

    Robitschek C, Ashton MW, Spering CC, Geiger N, Byers D, Schotts GC, Thoen MA. Development and psychometric evaluation of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II. J Couns Psychol. 2012 Apr;59(2):274-87. doi:10.1037/a0027310. Epub 2012 Feb 20. PMID: 22352950.

    Seth's Blog: The Speed Of Change 9.2022 @ https://seths.blog/2022/09/the-speed-of-change/

    Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association @ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116346/

  • Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: Part I

    Three Steps to Unlearning

    Unlearning looks to a future where the things of the past that that are no longer relevant, accurate, or true are intentionally left behind.  

    Care must be taken in unlearning so that the elements of value are not lost.

    Three bite-size chunks for the process of unlearning:

    Bite size chuck #1: Pick one thing

    Bite size chunk #2: Get to the place where you can say with confidence, "Yes, I am willing to let go of this one thing."

    Bite size chunk #3: Identify the opposite of the one thing. (be careful, this can be tricky)

    I can help you as you tackle unlearning. Let’s talk.   if you want a certified coach to partner with you in your unlearning experience. 

    The link to connect with me is https://www.healthyleadership.online/contact

  • The Secret Sauce for Interprofessional Collaboration

    4 reasons that IPC is a soft skill worthy of developing:

    #1. IPC creates common good

    #2. IPC amplifies curiosity and gives it space to stand

    " Curiosity has its own reasons for existence." Albert Einstein

    #3. IPC yields opportunities for a change in perspective

    "When we are in bubbles of sameness, we are trapped in rooms of ignorance." Derwin Grey

    #4. IPC increases critical thinking and problem solving

    Steps to consider when adding IPC to your leadership strategy:

    Step One: Determine your shared values

    Step Two: Be intentional in honoring each other

    Step Three: Make the experience enjoyable

    Step Four: Prepare the discussion to naturally include words that indicate teamwork and collaboration are of primary importance.

    Let's talk!

    Resources:

    The RED model. A model for critical thinking and problem solving

    Relational Coordination.  Dr Jodi Gittell

    Grey, D. (2020). How to Heal Our Racial Divide. Tyndale: Illinois

    #motivationaleducator   #collaboration   #healthyleadership #IPC

  • Today we are going to explore the soft skill of indirect communication.  Learning the skill of

    indirect communication fosters positive working relationships that impact the morale

    and efficiency of those you influence.  Sharing hope is a form of indirect communication.

     

    Let’s acknowledge out loud that life is difficult, painful, unfair, and unpredictable. When we are in the midst of difficulties that are beyond our control and, sometimes, beyond our comprehension, there is an increased need for leaders to use their unique gifts and talents to pursue hope.  Hope doesn’t arrive uninvited but awaits a leader who pursues with confident expectation that hope is real. 

    Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. Martin Luther

    Underlying this message today is a celebration of you, the leader, who pursues hope.  I am going to be talking about you! This is one small way I can give appreciation to the leaders I see around the world who chose to put time and energy into growing as hope-filled leaders.   Why is this such an important topic for leaders?  To put it simply, one of the top needs of those who follow you is hope. 

     Three decisions of hope-filled leaders

    #1. Hope-filled leaders choose their perspective on hope.

    #2.  Hope filled leaders choose persistence.

    #3.  Hope-filled leaders understand that the gift of hope continues long after they are gone.

     Call me! We can connect through www.healthyleadership.online

    #hopefilledleadership #healthyleadership  #personalgrowth  #bodymindand soul

  • Leader with a decided heart

     In this discussion today I have purposely linked 4 pairs of words. The first 4 words describe

    those with a decided heart: consistent, articulate, passionate and hopeful. The

    second set of words come from research that defines the 4 basic needs of all

    who follow leaders: Stability, trust, compassion and hope.  

     

    You may have already noticed how I paired them:

    A decided heart leader is consistent. Those who follow them feel stable.

    A decide heart leader is articulate.  Those who follow them trust them.

    A decided heart leader is passionate. Those who follow feel compassion.

    A decided heart leader is hopeful.  Those who follow them find hope in the future.

    A leader with a decided heart meets the most basic needs of those who follow them!

    I am Niña Ellison.  Thanks for joining me today You can reach me at http://www.healthyleadership.online

     Call me.  We can discuss how I can partner with you in your growth journey.  Resources:

    Endurance, Lost Ship found after 107 years

    The Traveler's Gift. Andy Andrews

    4 Things Followers Need. Strengths Based

    Leadership.

    Margot, M., & Capparell, S. (2001). Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer. London: Penguin books.

     #HealthyLeadership #AndyAndrews #DecidedHeart #SirErnestShakleton #MLKhope

  • From Frustration to Forward Thinking: one leader’s journey

    Learn from an experienced architect and leader, Aju Johnson,

    Ten lessons learned in moving from frustration to forward thinking:

    1.  Be real about your emotions.  Call them out!

    2.  Understand that it may take time to heal.

    3.  Identify what you are responsible for.

    4.  Connect with a mentor who believes in you.

    5.  Recognize that the sacrificial cost of growth does not end when difficulties arise.

    6.  Borrow the belief others have in you until you can believe in yourself again.

    7.   Recognize that moving forward is REALLY HARD work.

    8.   Pursue personal growth daily.

    9.   As a leader, build a culture of personal growth and development with your new team.

    10.  Move into your new space with creativity and flexibility.

    Connections:

    You can reach out to:

    Aju Johnson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajujohnson/

    Nina Ellison for Speaking engagements,


    Resources:

    Love + Work Marcus Buckingham

    RetentionReport 2021

    Leadership Development & Career Development | Maxwell Leadership


  • Making Space for Generative Dialogue

    Generative dialogue is the ability to produce new value and meaning through words.

    Can a leader truly create the space for generative dialogue to happen? Absolutely. 

    Five characteristics of leaders who create spaces for the possibilities with generative dialogue:

    Readiness to honor othersWillingness to forgo sharing their own storyDesire to connect before gathering informationUnderstanding of the role of facilitatorPursuit of uncovering the unexpected

    Healthyleadership.online complementary call .

    

    Resources:

    Kahane, A. (2004). Solving Tough Problems. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.: San Francisco.

    An Introduction to Facilitating Breakthrough with Adam Kahane - YouTube

    Welcome to Maxwell Leadership

    #generativedialogue #spacemakers #healthyleadership #maxwellleadership