27. Top-Flight Keynote Inspiration - Lee Ellis

It began when he became a fighter pilot, and the Air Force continued to let him fly and to grow his talents in leadership development, which he was passionate about. He also pursued his interest in human behavior. The two went together, he says, “And that’s what I’m still doing.”

As a fighter pilot, he was shot down and held 5 ½ years as a P.O.W. in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He returned home more mature, diligent in performing the duties he didn’t like. Always good about work he liked to do, he’d never been as motivated to do those things he didn’t like to do.

To be successful you have to sacrifice and do some things you don’t like to do. If 60 or 70 percent of your work is in your “sweet spot,” then you’ll be fabulously successful. We all have things we feel are important but that aren’t our preferred things to do.

Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, by Lee Ellis

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are Lee’s favored social media.
His blogs postings are often picked up by national media. “I think blogs are important for sharing ideas that are important to me,” he says.