Episode 43

full
Published on:

29th Apr 2021

Leaders are Learners

Leaders are learners

There is more than meets the eye when seeking to add value to others

In every profession, our values impact our decision making as leaders.

The values you and I as leaders embrace create structure and meaning in our work.

Putting your values first impacts your decision making in a way that enables you to gain a consistency in your leadership no matter the circumstance.

How willing we are to understand others and what they value…. what matters to them. 

Being a leader is not as much about me as it is understanding and empowering those I lead.

Going deeper leaders learn that adding value is even more than strategy or process. It is certainly more than the idea of clicking on a radio button in your mind that you are adding value. 

One of the challenges for you and for me as we seek growth as leaders who add value to others is the continual pursuit of the awareness of our assumptions.

At times this kind of critical thinking can be a solo activity, but I believe it must be balanced with experiences such as Round Tables where new ideas, new concepts, a heightened awareness of what we value becomes evident and lends authority to our decision making as leaders.  

As always, you can reach me at www.healthyleadership.online

Resources:

Maxwell, J & Hoskins, R. (2021) Change Your World. Harper Collins: USA. p.107-129.

https://www.changeyourworld.com/en/landing

The RED model of critical thinking 

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About the Podcast

The Art of Leadership
The Art of Leadership focuses on soft skills... some of the hardest skills a leader will ever learn.
The Art of Leadership with Dr. Niña Ellison focuses on the soft skills of leadership, their value and the power of their influence. As a leader, if you are interested in moving from success to significance then balancing both hard and soft skills is essential!

Hard skills are demonstrated through technical expertise that results in clearly measured goals being reached. They are vital to the success of any initiative or program. On the other hand, soft skills emphasize the transformation of people. They highlight behavioral changes and making a difference in people’s lives.

This podcast is for leaders who are seeking a fresh perspective into some of the hardest soft skills a leader will ever learn. You can connect with Niña at https://www.ninaellison.com

About your host

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Niña Ellison

In 2019, after years of leading teams varying from international disaster relief and healthcare to the US Corporate world, Niña founded Healthy Leadership to focus on her passion for partnering with leaders in their growth and sustainability. Her own journey into soft skill development has convinced her that while her technical skills helped her get her foot in the door, her soft skills moved the influence of her leadership from success to significance.

As a soft skill specialist Niña takes monthly deep dives in her podcast series, The Art of Leadership, to explore the underlying dimensions of soft skills. She knows that soft skill development is not so much about WHAT but HOW a leader leads.
• From a 10,000 foot view a leader pursuing soft skills asks, “How do I problem solve; How do I manage time and energy?”
• From a 1,000-foot view that same leader, as they dig deeper into soft skills, begins asking questions like, “How do I listen; or How do gain self-control?”
• From Ground Zero the leader recognizes that there are underlying dimensions of soft skills as they ask, “How do I model respect for all; How do I sustain hope; How do I demonstrate appropriate love in the workplace; How do I maintain the right attitude?” How do I lead by serving?

Nina believes that behind every wildly effective and sustainable system and process are leaders and teams who have interwoven soft skills into every phase of their work.