Lee Ellis on Taking Lessons Learned as a Vietnam POW to Shape a Lifetime of Leadership
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Historian and Author Martin Gutmann Discusses Optimism, History, and His Appreciation for “Unseen Leaders”
Blue Sky
Martin Gutmann is an expert on the history of business and has written extensively about styles of past leaders. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on everything from today’s political climate, to whether he thinks Ernest Shackleton is overrated (spoiler alert – he does), to the underrated excellence of less well-known figures in history. Chapters: 02:27 Meet Martin Gutmann Bill welcomes Martin Gutmann to the podcast, exploring his diverse background and extensive experience in various countries. Martin shares how his journey has shaped his...
info_outline
Blayne Smith and Brandon Young Explain Why Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance
Blue Sky
Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their own company. They’ve now published a new book, co-authors of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together., in which they describe invaluable le
info_outline
Cheryl Dorsey Describes the Remarkable Work of Echoing Green
Blue Sky
This episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and ideas. An accomplished leader and executive herself, Cheryl Dorsey explains how she first came to the organization and the great work they continue to do under her leadership.
Chapters:
02:22 Meet Cheryl Dorsey
Cheryl
A True Confession Episode – Falling Off the Optimism Wagon
Blue Sky
In this very special edition of “the mini podcast with major optimism,” host Bill Burke confesses to falling off the optimism bandwagon. Yes, this can even happen to the founder of The Optimism Institute! He describes a doom-scrolling session that left him feeling lousy and explains how – with advice we can all use – he pulled himself up and out of his predicament.
info_outline
David McCullough III Shares the Story of The American Exchange Project and His Optimistic Vision for Its Future
Blue Sky
David McCullough got the idea for The American Exchange Project (AEP) after a cross-country trip showed him how diverse and accepting were the people he met. Today, AEP creates opportunities for recent high school graduates to experience life in a different part of the US, building bridges of understanding and creating lifelong friendships. It’s McCullough’s hope that these trips will someday be a
info_outline
Erica Halverson Describes Her Optimistic Belief That Arts Educators Can Save the World
Blue Sky
While studying acting in college, Erica Halverson decided that while she loved the theater, being on stage would not be for her. Instead, she moved into different areas and now is teaching arts education at the University of Wisconsin. She also hosts a terrific podcast, "Arts Educators Save the World,” on which artists are joined by teachers and mentors to reflect on the transformative impact that thes
info_outline
Earl B. Hunter, Jr. Discusses His Optimistic Approach to Helping Grow the Outdoor Industry Through His Work at Black Folks Camp Too
Blue Sky
When Earl B. Hunter’s son was seven years old, he took him on three-month, multi-state camping. It was a positive, life-changing experience for them both. But Earl was struck by the fact that over the entire trip, they saw just one other black family. As someone who was working in sales in the outdoor industry, Earl saw an opportunity and went on to found the for-profit company, Black Folks Camp Too. <
info_outline
Celebrating Optimism Month and Blue Sky’s 2nd Anniversary
Blue Sky
On this month’s installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” and in honor of National Optimism Month, host Bill Burke reflects on lessons learned from two years of hosting the Blue Sky podcast.
info_outline
Khan Academy’s Sal Khan Describes Why He’s So Optimistic About the Future of AI and Education
Blue Sky
Sal Khan is one of the great innovators in education and in this Blue Sky episode, he discusses his book, Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing). He and his colleagues at Khan Academy are well on their way to creating powerful AI teaching assistant called
info_outline
Leslie and Richard Strauss Describe How Their In-School Program, Spirit Series, Builds a Better Future with Wisdom from the Past
Blue Sky
Leslie and Richard Strauss are a husband-and-wife team who oversee Spirit Series, an innovative educational program in which young students perform plays about timeless stories. Through Spirit Series’ immersive and rigorous process, participants gain confidence in themselves and improve their teamwork, higher order thinking and focus in the classroom. The program has served more than 60,000 students and research shows that it has improved their cognitive and social/emotional skills and even lowered
info_outlineToday, Lee Ellis is an acclaimed and accomplished author and leadership coach. But in 1967, while flying a combat mission over North Vietnam, he was shot down, captured, and held as a prisoner of war for five-and-a-half years at the “Hanoi Hilton,” where his group of fellow prisoners included the late Senator John McCain. and on this Blue Sky episode, Colonel Lee Ellis shares his incredible story and the valuable leadership and life lessons he learned under these trying circumstances, as well as the optimistic and hopeful mindset he’s used to get him through his toughest challenges.
Chapters:
02:11 Meet Lee Ellis
Lee Ellis shares his gratitude for being on the podcast and reflects on his long-standing connection with Bill Burke. They delve into Lee’s early life in Georgia and the pivotal moment that sparked his passion for flying.
05:03 The Vietnam Experience Begins
He vividly describes the moment he was shot down during his 53rd mission over North Vietnam and the immediate aftermath of his capture.
07:13 Life as a POW
Lee paints a picture of his harrowing life as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He shares the challenges of living in cramped quarters with fellow POWs and the psychological toll of constant interrogation.
11:13 Finding Hope in Darkness
In this chapter, Lee discusses the importance of hope and optimism during his captivity.
15:03 The Power of Leadership
Lee reflects on the remarkable leadership displayed by senior officers in the POW camp. He emphasizes the significance of following a strong command structure and the impact it had on their morale and resilience.
21:10 Resilience and Adaptability
Lee shares stories of resilience and adaptability among the POWs, including their innovative methods of communication.
25:35 Viktor Frankl’s Influence
Lee discusses how he came to read Viktor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ while imprisoned. He recounts a touching encounter with Frankl shortly after his release, reflecting on the profound impact of the book on his perspective.
27:51 The Power of Brotherhood
Lee shares how the bond between fellow POWs fostered a sense of community and optimism during their harrowing experience.
29:23 A Career Beyond the POW Experience
After returning home, Lee discusses his extensive career in the Air Force, highlighting his rise through the ranks and his passion for leadership training.
31:39 The Essence of Leadership
Lee delves into the significance of leadership, explaining his motivation to help others become better leaders. He introduces his model of confidence and humility, illustrating how these traits can inspire teams and foster a positive work environment.
35:00 Listening: The Key to Great Leadership
In this chapter, Lee emphasizes the importance of listening as a fundamental quality of effective leadership. He shares insights from his research, revealing that the ability to listen ranks highest among the traits people seek in their leaders.
38:23 Gratitude Through Adversity
Lee reflects on how his POW experience shaped his perspective on life and gratitude. He discusses the psychological resilience developed through hardship and how it influences his outlook on modern challenges.
43:39 Optimism and the Future
As Lee addresses the current state of the country, he expresses concerns about polarization and the impact of technology on personal connections. He shares his hope for a future where leaders prioritize respect and understanding across differences.
50:01 Lessons from Lee Ellis
In the closing segment, Lee summarizes key lessons from his life experiences, emphasizing belief in oneself, the importance of relationships, and faith in a higher power. His insights serve as a powerful reminder of the values that can guide us through adversity.