2013 State of Leadership Survey Results - Lee Ellis

2013 State of Leadership Survey
Compiled by Lee Ellis and his consulting organization –

The purpose of this survey was to identify and compile consumer input and opinion on the general state
of leadership from their personal perspective. It contained nine objective questions about the state of
leadership in the following major industry sectors: Business/Corporate, Government/Politics, Military,
Healthcare, and Education.
While the actual societal reality may differ slightly from the results of this survey, it does confirm
consumer sentiment based on their exposure of leaders and leadership issues within their personal
reality.
The goal of Leadership Freedom® LLC is to use this data to project, plan, and influence positive
leadership growth and change in all sectors of society where the base elements of character, courage,
and competence are clearly understood and applied.
For questions or more information on this data, please contact us at Contact@LeadershipFreedom.com.

This survey was conducted as an informal poll via the Internet for 60 days. Results of this survey do not necessarily reflect the views and
opinions of Lee Ellis, Leadership Freedom LLC, or FreedomStar Media.

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Question 1 – In your opinion, what percentage of the entire U.S. population
could be qualified as a competent, honorable leader? Choose one.

(5% = 21.74%, 15% = 47.83%, 25% = 17.39%, 50% = 10.87%, 75% = 2.17%, 95% = 0%)

2

Question 2 – Based on your observations and experience, what industry seems
to have the most competent, honorable leaders? Choose one.

(Business/Corporate = 19.57%, Government/Politics = 0%, Military = 63.04%, Healthcare = 2.17%, Education = 15.22%)

3

Question 3 – What industry needs the most work in cultivating competent,
honorable leaders? Choose one.

(Business/Corporate = 6.52%, Government/Politics = 84.78%, Military = 2.17%, Healthcare = 0%, Education = 6.52%)

4

Question 4 – What industry has the best chance of influencing all other sectors
of society in developing competent, honorable leaders? Choose one.

(Business/Corporate = 34.78%, Government/Politics = 13.04%, Military = 23.91%, Healthcare = 2.17%, Education = 26.09%)

5

Question 5 – What attribute(s) qualify a leader as competent and honorable?
Choose your top 4 attributes.










Speaks well and is positive and charismatic = 19.57%
Has an attitude of transparency and humility, and owns their mistakes and shortcomings = 93.48%
Has a polished physical appearance and gives a great first impression = 0%
Has experience and skill in his/her profession = 47.83%
Has a “roll up the sleeves” approach to working with their team = 65.22%
Knows how to have fun = 4.35%
Has the ability to work well under pressure and delegate responsibilities = 78.26%
Has a genuine respect for those around him/her and recognizes the unique value and input of each team member = 93.48%

6

Question 6 – In this list, who do you believe is currently the best leader in their
profession? Choose one.







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Barack Obama = 0%
Billy Graham = 45.65%
Chuck Hagel = 2.17%
Donald Trump = 6.52%
Jeff Bezos = 8.70%
Oprah Winfrey = 4.35%
Other = 32.61%
o
Top Other Answers

Pope Francis

Warren Buffett

Roger Goodell

None of the above

Mark Richt

Chris Christie

Ben Carson MD

Rand Paul

Nick Saban

(Please Note: While some leaders above received few or no votes, we specifically asked participants to choose the best leader in their
respective profession. For example, the results suggest that Jeff Bezos is a better leader in his respective profession than Chuck Hagel is in his
respective profession. We also gave participants an opportunity to share their own top leaders.)

7

Question 7 – In the business and corporate sector, what is the leadership
attribute that needs the most improvement? Choose one.

(Character = 50%, Competence = 2.17%, Courage = 4.35%, Accountability = 13.04%, Clarity = 2.17%, Selflessness/Others-Focused = 28.26%)

8

Question 8 – In the government and political sector, what is the leadership
attribute that needs the most improvement? Choose one.

(Character = 41.30%, Competence = 15.22%, Courage = 4.35%, Accountability = 34.78%, Clarity = 0%, Selflessness/Others-Focused = 4.35%)

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Question 9 – We value any additional comments you may have. Please share
them in this section.
Here are some sample comments for this question/statement:


Tantamount to competency, skill, courage, et al, will always be the leaders character. No one
will follow a leader of dubious character up any hill that needs taking. Likewise, no one will want
to emulate that individual or stand side by side with that individual lest they be associated with
that person by others to their own detriment. Character is "insurplantable" as the #1trait of a
great leader. When you add passion to character you have got something really special.



I settled on "selflessness" for questions 8 & 9 after first selecting "character." Not that character
is any less important, but because I believe true character (integrity, honesty, transparency) will
drive a selfless, others-focused approach to all aspects of life, especially leadership.



My perspective is are there leaders I would follow? There are people in leadership positions but
would I follow them? Followership. Also Visionary, can they eloquently picture what they are
trying to achieve and communicate this. So that when decisions are made people know why.



I have faith that leaders will emerge and replace the corrupt bunch that are currently running
our government and our schools. An honest and impartial news media would be a great first
step.



A civilized society must know, have and maintain moral characteristics in order to survive and
prosper. Too many people under the age of 50-55 do not even know what moral character
means, much less how to live and personify the high standards of such. The younger population
has become terribly self centered and self righteous, and has lost all boundaries of respect for
themselves and those around them.

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About Leadership Freedom®
Leadership Freedom LLC is the consulting
and training organization. Its purpose is
freeing leaders to lead higher. We help
clients break away from old barriers, learn
new skills, and free people to work with
more passion, energy, and productivity.
Our proven leader process is based on a top-down strategy designed to lift an entire
organization to a new level of performance. The desired outcome is a culture of leaders
developing other leaders - a multiplying effect. Learn more at www.LeadershipFreedom.com.

About FreedomStar Media™
FreedomStar Media is the publishing organization. The mission of
FreedomStar Media is to create exceptional leadership development
resources to help individuals and teams grow as leaders with character and
courage.
Lee Ellis is FreedomStar Media’s strategic content developer and author. Our
latest product is entitled Leading with Honor™: Leadership Lessons from the
Hanoi Hilton. Learn more at www.FreedomStarMedia.com.

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Lee Ellis - Biographical Information
A more comprehensive biography is available here.
Lee Ellis is Founder and President of Leadership Freedom®
LLC and FreedomStar Media™. He is an author, leadership
consultant, and keynote speaker in the areas of leadership,
teambuilding, and human performance. His past clients
include Fortune 500 senior executives and C-Level leaders in
telecommunications, healthcare, military, and other business
sectors. His speaking and media appearances include
interviews on networks such as CNN, ABC World News, Fox
News Channel, plus hundreds of speaking engagements in
various industry sectors throughout the world.
Early in his career, Lee served as an Air Force fighter pilot
flying fifty-three combat missions over North Vietnam. In
1967, he was shot down and held as a POW for more than five
years in Hanoi and surrounding camps. For his wartime
service, he was awarded two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit,
the Bronze Star with Valor device, the Purple Heart, and POW Medal. Lee resumed his Air
Force career, serving in leadership roles of increasing responsibility including command of a
flying squadron and leadership development organizations before retiring as a colonel.
Lee has a BA in History and a MS in Counseling and Human Development. He is a graduate of
the Armed Forces Staff College and the Air War College. He has authored or co-authored four
books on leadership and career development. Lee’s latest, award-winning book entitled Leading
with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton. Lee and his wife Mary reside in the Atlanta
GA area and have four grown children and six grandchildren.

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2013 State of Leadership Survey Results - Lee Ellis

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