Leaders in Place - Michael Ellner

I have 2-3 writing assignments each week in my graduate training and performance improvement coursework. One of this weeks writing assignments we discussed the idea of "leaders in place." We had to make it relevant to our specialization and interests and provide an example of a leader in place. I chose Michael Ellner as my leader in place example and I will post and share my discussion.There are many others I could have chosen, but Micheal's work has influenced me most directly.

A Leader In Place

A leader in place leads organizations and institutions by example, and is thus a good citizen. (Wergin, 2007, p. 1) Dr. Paul Hardt, (Core Faculty T&PI) in his video presentation of Leadership in T&PI states that leaders, take risks and are out-front; are great at communicating their ideas to others; and possess the best qualities we like to see in leaders, meaning they take an ethical approach to problems, have consideration for others, have a sense of direction, and a sense of purpose and mission. Anyone can be a leader, and these are T&PI’s hallmarks of a good leader in place.

Traditionally, leadership was seen as being an official position, and hierarchical. The current notion of leaders and leadership is a shift in attitude towards a postheirarchical style of leadership. The “shift in attitude about leaders to leadership—from a hierarchical view that…leadership flows from a leadership position, to a much more lateral view that leadership roles are available to everyone.” (Wergin, 2007, p.12)

Training and performance improvement practitioners are consultants, as well as trainers. We are agents of change (Wergin, 2007, p.23). Our clients’ problems are not our problems and we can and should shift and share the work with the client. “Anyone can lead…[and leadership is an] opportunity that should be available to all.” (Wergin, 2007, p.14)

"Just look at us. Everything is backwards. Everything is upside down. Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information, and religion destroys spirituality." - Michael Ellner

This quote by Michael Ellner is passed all over the web. The quote is from an interview Michael gave about the mass-hypnosis of fraudulent information concerning AIDS. He is a leader in the field of medical hypnosis, and a personal friend.

Michael is also instrumental in opening doors for board certified clinical hypnotists to work with medical healthcare professionals. Medical hypnotists often can serve as adjunct to the medical community when conventional approaches are exhausted. Michael has written columns for and is quoted in medical and hospital trade publications, appeared on national television news shows, and is now a conference lecturer in a major medical conference PainWeek, for frontline doctors and therapists addressing pain conditions by supplementing medical care with hypnosis for pain control. I could go on about Michael’s honors and achievements.

Michael approaches leadership and transformative change with the same core values of any good leader. In his courses he repeatedly states that as clinical hypnotists we must operate as human beings and find creative and effective ways to reach the hearts and minds of our clients; we are co-pilots or guides and the power is within the client to heal. In addition to educating board certified hypnotists in more than 7(?) countries Michael is a major force in educating health care professional about the healing powers of hypnosis; the power of suggestion.

Many of the early medical hypnotists were afraid of the hierarchical powers within the healthcare industry and Michael is a key facilitator towards transformative change in our industry. He works directly with doctors and challenges their power structures. He has even written a guidebook for effective communication for healthcare professionals demonstrating the power of suggestion; changing the power structures from within.

Michael Ellner leads by example and embodies all the qualities of a leader in place. His attitude and approach is towards transformative change, and his work ethic is one to model.

References

Wergin, J. F.(Ed). (2007). Leadership in place: How academic professionals can find their leadership voice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Graham Old on February 11, 2012 at 2:38am

Good choice, Lorrie.

I consider Michael a mentor and one of the greatest advocates we have.

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on February 11, 2012 at 6:38am

I agree Lorrie. I bump heads with Michael on a semi regular basis but that does not take away from the respect I have for him.

John

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Permalink Reply by Donna Carter on February 11, 2012 at 9:46am

"clapping".

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Permalink Reply by Barry Neale on February 11, 2012 at 12:04pm

Couldn't agree more!

barry

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on February 11, 2012 at 12:10pm

Hurrah! Anyone who has the pleasure of learning from Michael and, even better, calling him a friend, is blessed.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on February 11, 2012 at 1:12pm

I am soooooo ENJOYING this discussion- THANK YOU Lorrie! and Thank you Kelley, Barry, DonaC, John and Graham!

@ Lorrie --

I have taught in 7 countries and counting -

Please make a few small but appreciated changes:

Now reads:

Michael is also instrumental in opening doors for ~~board certified clinical~~ hypnotists to work with medical healthcare professionals. Medical hypnotists often can serve as ~~adjunct~~ to the medical community when conventional approaches are exhausted. Michael has written columns for and is quoted in medical and hospital trade publications, appeared on national television news shows, and is now a conference lecturer in a major medical conference PainWeek, for frontline doctors and therapists addressing pain conditions by supplementing medical care with hypnosis for pain control. I could go on about Michael’s honors and achievements.

Michael approaches leadership and transformative change with the same core values of any good leader. In his courses he repeatedly states that as ~~clinical~~ hypnotists we must operate as human beings and find creative and effective ways to reach the hearts and minds of our clients; we are co-pilots or guides and the power is within the client to heal. In addition to educating board certified hypnotists in more than 7(?) countries Michael is a major force in educating health care professional about the healing powers of hypnosis; the power of suggestion.

Please change to:

Michael is also instrumental in opening doors for certified medical hypnotists to work with medical healthcare professionals. Medical hypnotists often can serve as supplement to the medical community both as adjunct and as an alternative when conventional approaches are exhausted. Michael has written a peer reviewed paper and columns for and is quoted in medical and hospital trade publications, appeared on national television news shows, and is now a conference lecturer in a major medical conference PainWeek, for frontline doctors and therapists addressing pain conditions by supplementing medical care with hypnosis for pain control. I could go on about Michael’s honors and achievements.

Michael approaches leadership and transformative change with the same core values of any good leader. In his courses he repeatedly states that as hypnosis practitioners we must operate as human beings and find creative and effective ways to reach the hearts and minds of our clients; we are co-pilots or guides and the power is within the client to heal. In addition to educating certified hypnotists in more than 7 countries and counting Michael is a major force in educating health care professional about the healing powers of hypnosis; the power of suggestion.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Michael E.

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Permalink Reply by Lorrie Hale-Ozbey on February 11, 2012 at 4:49pm

Duly noted, and thank you Michael. Much appreciation for you...

Michael Ellner said:

I am soooooo ENJOYING this discussion- THANK YOU Lorrie! and Thank you Kelley, Barry, DonaC, John and Graham!

@ Lorrie --

I have taught in 7 countries and counting -

Please make a few small but appreciated changes:

Now reads:

Michael is also instrumental in opening doors for ~~board certified clinical~~ hypnotists to work with medical healthcare professionals. Medical hypnotists often can serve as ~~adjunct~~ to the medical community when conventional approaches are exhausted. Michael has written columns for and is quoted in medical and hospital trade publications, appeared on national television news shows, and is now a conference lecturer in a major medical conference PainWeek, for frontline doctors and therapists addressing pain conditions by supplementing medical care with hypnosis for pain control. I could go on about Michael’s honors and achievements.

Michael approaches leadership and transformative change with the same core values of any good leader. In his courses he repeatedly states that as ~~clinical~~ hypnotists we must operate as human beings and find creative and effective ways to reach the hearts and minds of our clients; we are co-pilots or guides and the power is within the client to heal. In addition to educating board certified hypnotists in more than 7(?) countries Michael is a major force in educating health care professional about the healing powers of hypnosis; the power of suggestion.

Please change to:

Michael is also instrumental in opening doors for certified medical hypnotists to work with medical healthcare professionals. Medical hypnotists often can serve as supplement to the medical community both as adjunct and as an alternative when conventional approaches are exhausted. Michael has written a peer reviewed paper and columns for and is quoted in medical and hospital trade publications, appeared on national television news shows, and is now a conference lecturer in a major medical conference PainWeek, for frontline doctors and therapists addressing pain conditions by supplementing medical care with hypnosis for pain control. I could go on about Michael’s honors and achievements.

Michael approaches leadership and transformative change with the same core values of any good leader. In his courses he repeatedly states that as hypnosis practitioners we must operate as human beings and find creative and effective ways to reach the hearts and minds of our clients; we are co-pilots or guides and the power is within the client to heal. In addition to educating certified hypnotists in more than 7 countries and counting Michael is a major force in educating health care professional about the healing powers of hypnosis; the power of suggestion.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Michael E.