Leadership
How Generation X, Y, and Z Across the World See Leadership Differently
Today, there are more generations working together than at any point in modern history, primarily because people are living and working longer than in the past. Recently, “Universum” surveyed three generations of current and future employees to study their needs, views, and competencies relating to workplace leadership. They analyzed responses by generation, gender and nation.…
Continue ReadingThe One Thing That’s More Important Than Your Reputation
For years, educators, employers and parents have told our young adults to build their personal brand. Now that folks can do this on-line, it’s become the pursuit of millions of 20-something Millennials and teens from Generation Z. Every young person wants people to recognize and follow their “brand.” However, because our personal brand can be…
Continue ReadingRecruiting for Leadership
I recently met with several NCAA Division One coaches to talk about building leadership in their student athletes. Almost everyone agreed that while today’s young athletes may be as gifted as ever, they usually come to college unable to lead their teammates. Or, perhaps a better term is—unwilling. Why? Few want to do the tough…
Continue ReadingIt’s Finally Here: Are You Ready to March Off the Map?
For months, I’ve been talking about the data and predictions in my newest book, Marching Off the Map—Inspire Students to Navigate a Brand New World. It was written for anyone who cares about the emerging generation, regardless of whether you’re a parent, educator, coach, employer, aunt, uncle or youth worker. It’s a research-based book filled with…
Continue ReadingWhat to Do When Two Adults Disagree on Leading a Child
I recently heard from a mother, who shared an all-too familiar scenario: “My son is 7 and I have been separated from his father since he was 3. Both of us have new partners who get along with quite well with each other. Recently our son behaved defiantly and I shouted at him to correct…
Continue ReadingFour Ways to Refuel This Summer
So many leaders today seek a life of balance. For years, we’ve discussed the elusive work/life balance—and I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who perfectly achieved it. Balance as we understood it doesn’t exist. No one perfectly divides his or her life into equal slices. Instead, life ebbs and flows. From times of extreme…
Continue ReadingHighlights and Insights From Our National Leadership Forum
Growing Leaders just hosted Atlanta Habitudes® Intensive (a two-day train-the-trainer event) for those planning to use Habitudes in their school or organization, and then we hosted a sell-out audience at our 2017 National Leadership Forum. Both were hosted at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. The ballroom was full of educators, administrators, coaches, executive youth…
Continue ReadingHow to Say “No” Without Damaging Morale
Let me ask you a question. How do you suppose you’d feel if you offered several suggestions to your supervisor, only to have every one of them rejected? It’s a rhetorical question. We all know it doesn’t feel good. So—how do we lead our teams, and even more so, our students, to remain motivated even…
Continue ReadingThe Part of Leadership Students Usually Don’t Embrace
Leadership is a buzzword on campuses today. When I began formally studying the topic among high school and college students, only 70 universities across America had programs for leadership development. Today, more than 1,000 colleges have formal programs and courses and even majors or minors in leadership. Leadership is now a category in the minds…
Continue ReadingThree Steps to Develop Grit
I just finished watching Ron Howard’s latest film on The Beatles. Those four pioneers of rock and roll (who America got to meet in February 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show), have a mystical aura to their story. Lots of legends surround their emergence as a musical force fifty years ago. Today—I’d like to clear…
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