Shawn Ellis

Radical Adaptability: The Defining Leadership Skill for 2025 (and Beyond)

5 C's of Radical Adaptability infographic by Shawn Ellis

In 2025, adaptability isn’t optional—it’s the defining leadership skill. But not just adaptability. Leaders today need Radical Adaptability: the ability to choose change before change chooses them. Why does this matter so much right now? Because skills are the currency of the future. They open doors, fuel growth, and carry us through uncertain times. And […]

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Rethink Your Identity: Time to Drop the Heavy Bag That’s Holding You Back?

View of an airplane wing flying over a cityscape through a cloudy sky, offering a travel perspective.

Over the past several weeks, Southwest Airlines shocked the travel world. It wasn’t just about price changes.It wasn’t just about policy changes. The shock came as they ended two of the most iconic parts of their identity: ➡ Two free checked bags➡ Open seating For decades, those weren’t just features—they were who Southwest was.“Bags fly

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Quit or Come Back? Why Both Are Brave Choices in Leadership

Mastering the Moments with Shawn Ellis

This post originally appeared in my Mastering the Moments newsletter. Want reflections like this delivered to your inbox every week? [Join here.] Two weeks ago today, I stood in front of more than 800 managers and asked them to make one Brave Choice: “What’s one thing you need to end?” Not in a metaphorical way.

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The Case for Radical Adaptability: Why the Future Belongs to Those Who Choose Their Endings

Resilience keynote speaker Shawn Ellis

This article was written for forward-thinking leaders navigating change fatigue, post-pandemic transformation, and leadership challenges in 2025. I hope it speaks to what you’re facing today. Prefer to read this on Medium? Check it out here. Leaders everywhere are saying the same thing: We’ve been through the wringer, but we’re ready to thrive again. Yet,

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Managing Chaos vs. Managing Change: How to Stay Grounded in Uncertain Times

Finding calm in chaos

Everywhere you look, it feels like chaos. From political turmoil to financial instability, change isn’t just happening—it’s happening fast. And let’s be honest: This doesn’t feel like change. It feels like chaos. We all know change is inevitable. We hear it all the time—“You have to adapt.” But what happens when change turns into unpredictability,

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