If You Want Your Students to Like You…
There is a subtle and sinister reality facing parents, coaches and educators today. Its source is invisible, but tangible. It can be spotted when we get caught up in the past, and begin to resent our present. Let me explain what I mean. I recently spoke to a group of university faculty who, during a Q and A session, groaned about
How to Increase Commitment in Students
Student engagement. It’s a topic every educator thinks about today. How do we get these kids with an eight-second attention span to stay committed to what they said they’d do? How do we get them to pay attention long enough to accomplish something significant? How do we get them to continue when they’re bored? Clayton was a good student, who performed
A Classroom Where Students Lead
I met Uduak Afangideh, PhD, at Faulkner University five years ago. We met again this past fall when I spoke on her campus and talked about what we were both learning about engaging college students today. Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Afangideh is the Science Department Chair and Professor of Biology on the campus. She is also a gracious, life-long learner
How to Equip Students to be Mentally Tough
You may not believe this, but one university just came up with some new rules—in order to make life easier for students. I think it’s a very bad idea. The journalism department at Leeds Trinity University in the U.K., has requested that lecturers avoid several “acts” that might frighten or intimidate students. This makes sense until you hear what those “acts”
My Favorite Books from 2018
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 I meet as I travel. Below are nine of the best books I read in
Three Ingredients to Help Students Navigate Choices
A growing number of schools and families today believe offering students choices can increase their sense of “ownership” in their learning. I am among them. I’ve seen students come alive when their teacher provides them options for their next project, paper, or capstone assignment. As choices increase, we believe student engagement will also deepen—and it does for the most part. The
How Great Leaders Create Engaged Cultures
After meeting with a national champion athletic coach, a president of a growing university and an amazing principal of a 3,600-student high school—I’ve drawn at least one conclusion about quality leadership: Great leaders create the campus culture. This means, when you arrive, you are the “Chief Culture Officer.” You improve the culture, through your own style and personality, and lift everyone to
What You Can Do to Enable Kids to Grow Up
After a lively debate with a student group about the essence of healthy leadership, one student approached me with an indifferent attitude toward preparing to be a leader. When the subject came up of how slowly kids are maturing today, this male student said to me: “What’s the big hurry? I’ll probably live until I’m a hundred. I’ve got plenty of time
My Favorite Leadership Quotes
Every year I post a list. It’s a list I think leaders like you will appreciate and benefit from. I’ve posted lists of my favorite leadership books, my favorite leadership movies and even my favorite leadership examples—and many of them are students! Today, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite leadership quotes. After serving with John C. Maxwell
When Positive Words Negatively Affect Students
I’ve watched the influence of the words of leaders, teachers and parents for years now. Far too often, when we speak we’re only thinking about how we feel at the moment or what we’re thinking in that moment—not how those words will affect our kids. It isn’t until later that we recognize what those words have done to the mindset
How to Manage Impulsive Reactions
When I asked student athletes recently what the number one change was that they’d like to make in their life—their response surprised me. Very insightfully, most of them agreed: “I need to be less impulsive in my decisions.” We live in a day where everything seems to be moving faster and faster. Additionally, we tend to be impulsive in our reactions, thanks
Building Resilient Students: How to Get Out of Your Own Way
Eight years ago, researchers began to discover that children today acquire more allergies than children in past generations. For instance, no one had any idea why “peanut allergies” are surging in our day and age, since so many parents and schools are protecting kids from such exposure to peanuts. While such allergies were low among kids until about the mid-1990s,
When Achievement Becomes an Unhealthy Pursuit
I’ve committed my life to building student leaders—young people who are almost always ambitious and high achieving. The last two generations have grown up as students who are predisposed to believe they can and will change the world. But I’ve seen some kids cross a line when it comes to achievement. I just spoke to a high school senior who told me:
How to Decrease Entitlement: Combine Rights and Responsibilities
About a month ago, we posted an article on this blog page about how empowered today’s students are—possessing the ability to post content without the need to go through any authorities; to learn information without the need of an accompanying teacher or parent. You get the idea. One insightful reply to the article came from Cheryl Buford. She wrote: I appreciate the
Design Thinking Could Be a Game Changer for Students
Once in a while, I hear something that stops me in my tracks. I recognize I’ve just heard a life-changing idea. One of them surfaced this year. During a recent Twitter chat I participated in, one of the educator participants asked a question: “Have you heard of design thinking?” The fact is, I had read about “design thinking” in a Stanford education
Five Ways to Manage Disrespect from Students Today
During the 2017-2018 school year, more educators asked me for ideas about managing disrespectful students than any year in my memory. One teacher told me a student in her class was slouching and drifting off to sleep. She walked over to him and requested he sit up straight and pay attention. This 17-year-old high schooler replied, “Make me.” (This sounds
A Letter to My Kids’ Teachers at Midterms
The fall semester is halfway done, and students are entering midterm exams. Ahhh—there’s nothing like the fall, with high pressure fronts coming in with colder weather, in addition to high pressure expectations among our students. I also believe this time of year is a perfect period to evaluate our leadership. Teachers and parents have experienced several weeks of this school year and
Let’s Make Common Sense Common Again
Sometimes, I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry when I read some news stories today. Our world is more educated, more sophisticated, more modernized and more industrialized than ever before—but in our race to make progress, we often leave one important quality behind: common sense. Webster defines common sense as: “the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way
The Nobility of Working with Students
I recently led a workshop for administrators at a university. Attendees were college deans, vice presidents, heads of schools and high school principals. When I placed them in small discussion groups and posed the question, “What changes do you plan to make this year?” I overheard one administrator say to his colleagues: “I’m just biding my time until I retire in
One Cause of Entitled and Fragile Adults
A news story broke recently that made its away across the country. At first glance, I couldn’t believe it. My guess is—many of you heard about it. A Florida teacher was fired for refusing to comply with the school’s “No Zero” policy. This means, the school administration has created a rule that even if a student fails to turn any assignment
Parents Say the Darndest Things to Educators
Most teachers would say they collaborate well with their student’s parents. Every year, however, teachers report some of the craziest requests parents make on behalf of their kid. Some of these true stories include the following: “I had a parent (and her son) who refused to sign my rules and expectations sheet at the beginning of the school year because one
The One Soft Skill That Can Make or Break a Person
A new survey was taken among both educators and parents—which revealed that each has different perspectives when it comes to our kids. We gain a fresh perspective when we see life from the classroom as well as the family room. Both teachers and parents, however, agree on one thing for sure: that schools should assess students on both “academic knowledge”
Four Discoveries Students Should Make in Health Class
Do you remember health class back in middle school and high school? I recall taking the class back in the 1970s—and it was a period different from all the others. Unlike my other classes such as Algebra, English, History or Social Studies, it was a 55-minute period that allowed most students to disengage. Why? Our football coach taught the class and we
Five Steps to Ensure a Positive Mood
The one thing I hated most about my leadership in my early career was the unpredictability of my moods. I don’t think I was unusually moody, but I was aware that my disposition—sometimes volatile—affected the team I led. No doubt, they often wondered: Is this a good day to approach him about a problem? Is he in a good mood
Why Discipline Is Better Than Punishment
Some time ago, I spoke at an educator event in Missouri. During the Q and A period, a gentleman raised his hand with a deep concern: “Today, it seems like we’re quick to penalize (even suspend) students for wrong behavior more quickly than when I was in high school. Do you see the same thing?” The fact is—I do see the same
How Generation Z Shops and What It Means for Us to Teach Them
If you are communicating with middle school, high school or college students, you already know they’ve grown up in the digital world. They are the Touchscreen Generation, also known as “screenagers.” It may surprise you to discover, then, that 98 percent of them still shop in brick and mortar stores—some or most of the time. Even though many shopping malls
What School Is All About
Growing Leaders recently hosted a RoundTable for Principals in Atlanta. It was a joy to hear from best-selling author Dan Pink, authors Will Parker and DeeAnn Turner and an educational panel made up of Julie Diaz, Gary Davison and Dorothy Jerrett. One of my favorite learning moments, however, occurred during a break. Renee Hood approached me to talk. Renee serves as high
Are We Really Wasting Time When We Play?
Last month, I enjoyed hearing best-selling author Daniel Pink at our RoundTable for Principals in Atlanta. Dan shared some highlights from his newest book, “When,” which is all about the science behind the best ways to leverage our time. Part of his session was about when we (and our kids) take time to play. Fred Rogers, from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, once said,
How to Launch “Design Thinking” in Your Classroom or Home
“The single best step I took to get students engaged in my classroom,” said one faculty member, “was to move from my typical lesson plan to using design thinking.” Have you tried “design thinking?” It’s a practice that’s gaining interest among educators, coaches and even parents across our nation. I have advocated for it for years now, believing it made the difference
How I Helped My Kids Decide What to Do After High School
I plan to get very personal today. I want to offer you a summary of what my wife and I did to prepare our kids for their post-secondary experience. Perhaps it will be an encouragement to you and spark ideas of your own. Both my son and daughter thought they wanted to go to college. But I knew enough from the
The Seven Top Skills Google Now Looks for in Graduates
This year, I actually heard a graduating senior say in a speech: “I would like to thank my arms for always being by my side; my legs for always supporting me and finally, my fingers because I could always count on them.” Even though his tongue was firmly planted in his cheek, and everyone laughed, I later reflected that his comments
The Slow Drift from Our School’s Original Purpose
I remember visiting the beach when I lived in San Diego. I was a teenager when I walked out of the water onto the shoreline, leaving my inflatable raft in the ocean. I didn’t fear losing it; I knew exactly where I left it. What I hadn’t counted on was the ocean’s tide that constantly moved the water. After just
The Role of Social Emotional Learning in Overcoming Anxiety
Some who read this post know my story. Both of my kids are now fully-functioning adults, but each has had their wrestling match with anxiety and depression while they were in school. It impacted our entire family. Bethany was a fun-loving teen whose favorite pastime was laughter and whose favorite word was “chill.” At 18, however, we saw her spiral into
When You’re Angry With Students: Six Steps to Take
Two years ago, I was asked to speak at a high school, and arrived a day early for some meetings in town. While my colleagues got some work done, I chose to take an hour to visit the school, incognito, and observe a typical day on campus. It was enlightening. Most of what I saw was predictable—students and teachers going through routines,
What Parents and Students Should Look for in Colleges and Majors
Most of the high school seniors that I talk to tell me they aren’t sure what they want to do when they graduate. Some will declare a major course of study for college but even they will concede, “I’ll have to see if it feels right once I start.” Others tell me they’re not sure any college offers what they’ll
The Best Way to Help Kids with Homework
Parenting experts all agree: your children will always need you while they live under your roof—but how they need you will change over time. One of our problems as parents is—we lock into one way of helping our kids; one leadership style that doesn’t change as they mature. This presents a problem. Take homework, for example. A recent article in Education Week reported the
Do Standardized Tests Really Predict Student Success?
The one conclusion I’ve drawn about standardized testing over the last several years is clear: no one really likes it. Students feel pressure to score well to get into the college they desire most; educators feel the pressure to ensure students do well, so they can get school funding; and parents feel the pressure because they believe high scores will
Are We Sending Students the Wrong Message?
Reports have surfaced recently that some universities are disbanding “outdoor clubs” that have been going on for nearly a century. Why? They are too unsafe. For a century, these student-led outdoor clubs have enabled college students to get outside for hiking, biking, fishing and climbing. Today, however, all of these activities just seem…well, too risky. University officials from one of the schools, Penn
How Adult Arguments Impact Kids and What to Do
I recently witnessed a high school freshman “act out” in a gymnasium after an assembly. It was both sad and embarrassing for him. Everyone was stunned during that awkward moment and the student left absolutely humiliated. Later that day, I got the serendipitous chance to interact with him. Perhaps because I was an outsider, he felt safe enough to open up
Why Empathy Is Not Wimpy
I recently spoke to an employer who hired several recent college graduates. After 90 days, he met with each of the new team members to assess how they were doing. In a meeting with a 23-year-old young man, the employer reviewed his positive qualities, then proceeded to challenge him to shoot for a higher level of excellence. The employee wasn’t
One Top Priority for Colleges to Retain Students
You don’t have to be a professor or a student affairs director to observe that the world of higher education is shifting. Like it or not, the data is in. I fact-checked a report recently and found eye-opening research to confirm what I’ve been saying for years now. Colleges and universities are separating into successes and failures in terms of enrollment,
What Does It Mean To Be a Life-Giving Leader?
I’m not sure if you’ve heard the rumblings, but people in almost every context are demanding a new kind of leader. I see it in our homes, in our schools, in government, in non-profit work and in the marketplace. In 2001, I began speaking on this “new kind of leader.” I saw it even then, as we marched into the 21st
The Unfortunate Result of Some Graduations
Well, ‘tis the season. Graduation is here for seniors at high schools and colleges. It’s that time when we celebrate the milestone of completing a phase of life requiring both performance and consistency—from faculty, staff and students. But what does our celebration reveal about us? We live in a day of “feast or famine.” Some of our parent population over-celebrate too many
How to Teach the Way Students Learn and Remember
Years ago, I began listening to my children. I mean—really listening. As they grew up, I began noticing the language they’d use and observing what it taught me about their learning preferences. As a teacher, I began applying this to the students in my classroom and saw the same positive results. Once I modified my teaching style to accommodate the
A Lesson on Engaging Students from Southwest Flight 1380
We all heard about the Southwest Airlines, Flight 1380—the flight that had an engine fail two weeks ago and was forced to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. One woman was killed as shrapnel flew through a window into the plane after the engine exploded. It had to be a terrifying experience for everyone onboard. Several others were injured before
My Favorite Book This Year
I know, I know. We are less than four months into 2018. But I have already enjoyed several books that have marked me. One of them—I’d like to talk about today. Daniel Pink just released his latest book called, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. I’ve enjoyed each of Dan Pink’s best-selling books, but this one hit me at the
One Secret to Bringing Out the Best in Students
I recently met with my friend, Zach Thomas, to talk about his story. Not long ago, he released a book called, Leader Farming. He compares good leaders to farmers who constantly cultivate the people under their care as potential leaders. He reminded me that much of what he does he learned at West Point. You see, Zach is a graduate of the
How to Teach Students Passion—Not Teach for the Test
Last month, I got to speak to the Cobb Education Consortium. It was filled with educators and administrators (from K-12 and higher education) who were chosen from Cobb County to be a part of a leader development process over a year’s time. That day, I met Monica Alicea, a leader with a PhD, who has chosen to remain in the classroom,
A Game Plan to Prepare Yourself and Your Child to Head Off to College
Over the next six months, some of your kids will be on a path from childhood to adulthood. They’ll be graduating from high school and entering either college or a career. It is often difficult for both the student and the parent. Here are some “travel metaphors” to guide your conversations and some new helpful habits, in preparation for this
Yale’s Most Popular Class Ever and What We Can Learn from It
A few years ago, psychology professor, Laurie Santos, proposed a new elective class at Yale University. She believed it would be a helpful and relevant course for students. No one had any idea how popular it would become. Are you ready to hear the subject? It’s a class on happiness. She tries to teach students how to lead a happier, more satisfying