The Art of Leadership

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:

1. Value yourself and others.
2. Proceed with intentionality.
3. Embrace a purpose-driven mentality.
4. Strive for equity with no perspective unnoticed.
5. Stand ready for debate.
6. 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

Reimagining Work-Life Balance

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

Two questions you may want to consider:

1. What perspective do I have about work-life balance that needs to shift?
2. 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:

1. Think Critically.
2. Acknowledge diverse viewpoints.
3. Bring Emotional Strength.
4. Adapt based on evolving circumstances.
5. Pursue courage.
6. 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:

1. Accept that you have entered a liminal space. Recognize it and don't resist it.
2. Confirm as quickly as possible what you can control in this liminal space. Identify areas where you have the agency to reduce anxiety.
3. Reflect on past liminal spaces you've experienced and what strategies worked. Learn from your own history.
4. Pay attention to your communication.
5. Identify the role you are choosing to play: Villan, victim, hero and/or guide.
6. 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:

1. Optimize time
2. Optimize resources
3. Optimize 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