All Posts

At Ellis Adams Group, our mission is simple: to create unparalleled experiences. From hotel openings to leadership coaching, every decision runs through this filter. Internally, it inspires purposeful teamwork. Externally, it ensures clients and guests encounter excellence, luxury, and true connection. We don’t just meet expectations—we redefine them.

In the 1830s, William Procter and James Gamble chose collaboration over rivalry, creating Procter & Gamble. Their story shows how cooperation sparks growth and transforms competition into shared progress. Leaders today can learn the same lesson: turf wars stall innovation, but engineered collaboration builds stronger teams, better ideas, and extraordinary results. True progress comes when people work together, not against each other.

Louis Braille transformed rejection into resilience. At fifteen, he perfected a system of raised dots—turning a wartime code into a worldwide gift of literacy. His story teaches leaders to commit fully, expect doubt, and rise above labels. Leadership lessons from Louis Braille remind us: vision demands passion, persistence, and humility.

Jim Henson and the Muppets endured long hours, physical pain, and endless reshoots to bring magic to life. Their secret? Passion strong enough to love uphill. Great leaders must embrace sacrifice and persistence, pushing through discomfort to achieve excellence. Success isn’t easy—but when you learn to love uphill, the results can be unforgettable.

Great brands are built by fanatical leaders. From Steve Jobs to Herb Kelleher, the best leaders embody their mission with passion that inspires teams and creates loyal customers. This article shows why authentic enthusiasm is contagious and how fanatical leadership drives brand loyalty, transforms companies, and turns customers into lifelong fans.

John Howland’s fall from the Mayflower is more than history—it’s a timeless leadership lesson. Storms are inevitable, but survival comes from fighting for the future and holding on to hope. Like Howland, leaders must persist through uncertainty, believing their efforts today shape unseen futures tomorrow.

Great leaders wear two hats: visionary and manager. One casts the dream, the other ensures it’s achieved. Lean too far either way, and you risk crushing morale or leaving goals unfulfilled. Balance vision with execution to inspire your team and deliver results.

Silence from leaders speaks louder than words. When leaders delay or fail to respond, team members feel ignored and undervalued. Timely responses communicate respect, care, and acknowledgment—reminding people they matter. Leadership is about showing up, engaging, and ensuring your team feels seen. Responsiveness is one of the greatest gifts a leader can offer.

Leadership isn’t about one “most important thing.” Service, product, process—all matter when it comes to building excellence. What’s most important shifts depending on what fails: a bad coffee, a missed paycheck, or a dirty room. True leadership creates systems where every detail works together, ensuring both team and customer experience thrive.

Steve Jobs didn’t outrun cancer, but he made one final leadership decision—naming Tim Cook as Apple’s next CEO. True leadership isn’t about holding power; it’s about preparing others to carry the vision forward. Leaders must mentor, train, and hand over with purpose, because “now” never lasts.

Leaders shouldn’t think for their teams. If you’re constantly stepping in, doing the work, or explaining each step, it’s either a clarity issue or a capability gap. Great leaders act like coaches—setting clear expectations, equipping their teams, and then stepping back. True leadership is about developing others, not doing their jobs for them.

After an earthquake forced Theo Lakkas’ family to live in a tent, he learned that gratitude and perspective can turn hardship into fuel for growth. Today, as EAG EMEA’s Director of Food and Beverage, Theo sees those struggles as the foundation for his passion and success. His story reminds us that true leadership begins with gratitude and the perspective to keep moving forward.

When George H. W. Bush announced Dan Quayle as his running mate in New Orleans, the VP candidate was nowhere to be found—stuck in the crowd with his family. The moment exposed a critical planning gap, but it didn’t stop the campaign from winning. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about recovering, adapting, and moving forward when things go wrong.

Leadership can feel isolating. President Truman once wrote to his wife, “This is a lonesome place,” capturing the burden leaders carry. From Truman to Shackleton, history shows that leadership demands tough, lonely choices. But the loneliness doesn’t have to last—you can find connection through loved ones, mentors, and communities. This post offers practical ways to ease the isolation while staying true to the impact you’re building.

Napoleon delayed opening his mail for three weeks, realizing most problems resolved themselves. This leadership lesson reminds us to resist the pull of urgency and focus on what truly matters. Leaders don’t need to solve every issue—they need to build teams that can. By shifting crises into coaching moments, leaders create decision-makers, strengthen resilience, and keep the mission front and center.

Michael Jordan’s reflections in The Last Dance reveal timeless leadership lessons: challenge others, raise standards, and never ask more than you give. True winners lead by example, endure the cost of greatness, and pull others forward—even when it’s unpopular. Leadership isn’t about being liked; it’s about elevating your team. If you want to win, you must lead with fire, resilience, and unwavering commitment.

George Washington never smiled—ashamed of his painful, disfiguring dentures. Yet, despite his flaws and insecurities, he led with conviction and courage. His story reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection but about showing up authentically, even when it hurts. True leaders move forward in spite of their weaknesses, proving that strength lies not in flawlessness but in resilience and boldness.

P.T. Barnum’s infamous Fiji Mermaid hoax reveals a timeless truth: leadership demands authenticity. Teams can spot fake passion a mile away, and no illusion can inspire lasting performance. This article challenges leaders to reject shortcuts, embrace genuine passion, and lead from the heart—because only authentic leadership fuels true commitment.

Mountain climbing teaches powerful lessons about leadership and teamwork. From trust and resilience to surrounding yourself with the right people, climbing parallels building better teams in business. This article unpacks how to lead with grit, support others when they stumble, and learn to “love uphill” as you build stronger, more resilient teams.

McDonald’s milkshake sales soared 30% when they stopped assuming and started asking why. Harvard’s Clayton Christensen showed that true insight comes from observing customer behavior and asking direct questions. Leaders in any industry can learn the same lesson: understand what people really need, and build stronger connections by serving that need authentically.