Dave Hart on the Best Culture for Today’s Athletic Departments: Podcast #55
Today I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Dave Hart. He served as an administrator in collegiate athletics for over 35 years at several schools, including East Carolina University, Florida State University and the University of Alabama. Most recently, he was the Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee from 2011-2016. Here are some highlights from our conversation. Tim
Four Balancing Acts to Perform on a New Generation of Kids
I took my family to see the movie, “The Greatest Showman” the day before Christmas. They loved it. It’s the story of the entrepreneur P. T. Barnum, who launched what became Barnum and Bailey’s Traveling Circus. The film showed the development of the different acts, which eventually included not only animals, but trapeze artists, jugglers and tightrope walkers. (I read up
Where Real Leadership Begins
I just met Abbey, a 21-year-old university student, who is so bright and so gifted, I told her with a smile that I’d likely be working for her one day. She blushed. I mention Abbey because she’s like so many students I meet these days. She serves “behind the scenes” in two clubs, is attentive in class and is keenly interested in
Five Qualities That Give Students POISE in Tough Times
As I interfaced with Division 1 coaches this year, one word came up in conversation more than any other. It was a surprising word, since I usually don’t associate it with athletics. It was the word: poise. Many of the coaches I met with said they just don’t see much “poise” in their athletes during the tough moments of the game.
The Surprising Results of Dropping the Rules
I recently overheard a conversation between two moms in a grocery store. One told her fellow mother that her son had fallen off his bike in a public park and hurt his left leg badly; they think he fractured a bone. The woman then proceeded to say she and her husband decided to take their son’s advice in response—and sue
How to Build Snowmen from a Snowflake Generation
For years, we’ve heard journalists, educators and employers tell us that our youngest generation in America could be called a “snowflake generation.” Why? Because so many of these kids have been raised in a delicate, soft environment, protected from life’s harsh realities and responsibilities. Some even wrote that we’ve coddled them, protecting them with “bubble wrap.” Wikipedia reminds us, “The term
The Future of Universities in America
I’d like to host a conversation with you, and others who read this article. I want to talk about the future of higher education—post secondary schooling that prepares students for not only their careers but for adult life. Is it currently changing? Yes. Is it changing quickly enough? Many would say, no. “Not enough people are innovating enough in higher education,” complains Larry Summers,
Five Resilience Stories that Could Keep Your Students from Giving Up
Today, we hear from Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a next gen researcher, speaker, and author for Growing Leaders. I have the honor of spending time with some of the premier athletes around our country in Division 1 athletic programs. It’s amazing to me how hard they work for success in their sport. Sadly, as I read about our country, these student athletes are the
One Simple Way to Help Teens Mature in the 21st Century
I marvel when I watch a college freshman quarterback play well under the pressure of TV cameras and 90,000 fans watching in person. My goodness, the poor guy is still a teenager. We’ve all seen the opposite, however, where a young athlete crumbles under the pressure of a close game in the fourth quarter. While this might be disappointing, it
What Happens When Students Lead a School
Weeks ago, Robert C. McNair (founder and owner of the Houston Texans), got in trouble when he spoke his mind about the NFL players who protested during the national anthem. He said, “We can’t let the inmates run the prison.” Oops. Poor choice of words. His statement didn’t go over well with most of those who heard it, and his
The Vital Role Mentors Play in a Student’s Growth
Over the holidays I watched my daughter, Bethany, interact with Jesse, one of her mentors. Jesse is a licensed therapist, and Bethany has become a counselor herself. Jesse began to ask her questions about who played a role in molding her worldview and values as a young professional; who was it that molded her into the woman she was today?
Parents: Your Sons Need Your Help Getting Ready for Fraternity Life
Today, we hear from Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a next gen researcher, speaker, and author for Growing Leaders. In 2011 George Desdunes, a 19-year-old sophomore student at Cornell University was awakened in the middle of the night—gagged, bound, and taken. As a pledging member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, he probably expected something like this to happen, but no one expected what happened next. Late
What If Our “New Normal” Isn’t Good?
I’ll never forget September of 2001. President George W. Bush attempted to help Americans deal with the horrific terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. In his remarks, he said we must prepare ourselves for a “new normal.” By this term, he meant that what is common and routine; what’s becoming normal for our daily lives will be different. And
My Favorite Books from 2017
Over the years, I will often launch the new year by posting some of my favorite books I read from the past year. These aren’t the only ones I digested this year, but these are ones I’ve recommended to leaders, educators, parents, coaches and employers—people I’ve met as I travel. Below are some of the best books I read in