4 Sure-Fire Ways Students Transform Into Leaders
During the 2012-2013 school year, we assessed 8,500 students who attend 29 public high schools. We discovered several realities, including their low view of morality, their assumptions about leadership, and how much their aspirations and goals played a role in graduation rate and their life after high school. One discovery I made after a year of examining the results of our
Leading Students From Difficult Homes
I asked Josh Isenhardt, one of our Growing Leaders speakers, to blog on what it means to influence students who may come from difficult homes. Josh has worked with students for over a decade and has some simple but profound insight on the issue. Below are his wise and helpful words on this topic. I hope you enjoy them: As someone
What to Do About Declining Summer Employment for Teens
May is almost over, and kids are out of school for the summer. Most of them will stay busy with sports, vacations, video games or some other technology as they attempt to fend off boredom. Unfortunately, far too few will choose to work. Yep, just as the weather is warming this year, the sun is setting on summer jobs. According to
Four Tips to Help Graduates Handle the Job Hunt
Have you seen the numbers? For high school and college grads, the job market has both good news and bad. The report on jobs in April revealed 288,000 new job openings — the most in two years. Overall unemployment dropped from 6.7% to 6.3%, which is the lowest its been since 2008. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, market experts tell us
From GPS Learners to Compass-Guided Leaders
Dr. Kerry Priest is a faculty member at Kansas State University. She’s also one of our speakers at Growing Leaders. She teaches in the school of leadership studies. I asked her to blog about what she and her department are doing in Manhattan. Enjoy… Recently I asked a small group of first-year college students in my introductory leadership class, "What did
A Student Who Broke the Mold
You may have read the story several days ago. Another tornado ripped through Alabama, injuring and even killing people. Ironically, it was almost three years after the deadly tornado hit Tuscaloosa, killing over 50 people. It makes recovery hard. News reports covered the tragedy thoroughly—but rarely the ordinary people who become heroes amidst the tragedy. This time, a student arose as
The 6 Big Price Tags of Preparing Students for the Future
Every year, educators talk about budget cuts and their school's inability to do what's necessary to equip students for life after graduation. As I have frequently stated, teachers are heroes, and I recognize there's never quite enough money to do what's necessary to prepare our emerging adults. Preparedness actually costs quite a bit. There is a form of preparedness, however, that
The Inverse Relationship Between Gratitude and Entitlement
Research done with people both young and old reveals very interesting conclusions on the role of gratitude. Author and researcher, Dr. Robert Emmons, from the University of California Davis, believes he knows what gives life meaning: pure and simple gratitude. Emmons’ team found that people who view life as a gift and consciously acquire an “attitude of gratitude” experience multiple advantages.
5 Reasons Why a Post-College Internship Isn’t the End of the World
I asked Ashley, one of our spring interns, to do a blog post on her internship. She sent me these words below. I smiled as I read them. Hope you enjoy them as well. In January, I had graduated from college with honors, was blessed with a spiffy car as a graduation gift, had a roof over my head with my
The Inverse Relationship Between Sheltering and Ambition
A recent argument has emerged again on university campuses revolving around “trigger warnings.” Some schools have been accused by parents that they don’t provide warnings about disturbing content or sensitive material in courses. The debate is another illustration of how much adults are finding it difficult to navigate their children’s maturation process. How much is too much exposure? How early
Pictures, Stories and Steps
Are you like me? Consistently attempting to find new ways to capture the minds and imaginations of students with a message? Let me share some current data that might just inform you on what works best. You’re reading this because you care about students—or about someone in the next generation. You want to engage them, not just with information but on
How Facebook Affects Your Mental Health
This year, Facebook is ten years old. How about that—it’s been around for a decade. Recently, I met with a group of college students to talk about their Facebook habits. Two big ideas surfaced, one positive and one negative. Some students said they feel “happier” when they’re on Facebook; others said it increased jealousy in them. The conversation drove me to
Will Text Messages Become Obsolete?
I just met with a group of high school students and realized they’d experienced another shift in how they communicate with others. We were conversing about how we could stay in touch, and I suggested we could text. They smiled patronizingly, as if they were interacting with their grandpa, and offered another option. Hmmm. Just when I thought I was caught
Four Reasons Parents Should Not Be Involved in Their Child’s Job
I just read two reports about the changing marketplace. Both of them mentioned the fact that parents are increasingly involved in the job interviews and work of their adult children. One report said, “In the New World Work Order, the parents of Millennial workers apparently are factors that cannot be ignored. In fact, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi told Fortune Magazine
Four Lessons We Can Learn From a Student’s Project
Here’s a great story with an incredible lesson in it for those of us who lead students. A fourteen-year old student named Suvir Mirchandani, came up with a science project that got the attention of CNN and other investigative reporters. What began as a middle school project could actually save the Federal government millions of dollars each year—and all it would
Seven Ideas to Build Perseverance in Students (Part Two)
Recently, I was privileged to speak to the faculty and administration at Darlington School, an incredible private school in north Georgia full of caring educators. One hot button issue that day concerned perseverance in students. Kevin Ivester, a math teacher at Darlington, blogged about the need for tenacity and good attitudes, based on discoveries made in Singapore students. Yesterday, I
Seven Ideas to Build Perseverance in Students (Part One)
Recently, I was privileged to speak to the faculty and administration at Darlington School, an incredible private school in north Georgia full of caring educators. One hot button issue that day concerned perseverance in students. Kevin Ivester, a math teacher at Darlington, blogged about the need for tenacity and good attitudes, based on discoveries made in Singapore students. I wanted to share
What Can We Do to Help Our Teens?
This month, we are celebrating the four years since the release of our book Generation iY—Our Last Chance to Save Their Future. In that time, I’ve been interviewed on multiple occasions over what can be done to empower teens today. Here are three of the biggest questions both parents and teachers ask today about helping our teens mature into adults: 1.
A Study of Contrasts with Students From Generation iY
Some month’s ago, I tuned in to ABC’s program 20/20 and heard the stories of two extreme parenting styles. Each represents a different mindset adults hold today. Amber and Trent Johnston The first story was about the Johnston family, from Barnesville, GA. They’re extreme in many ways, being a “big, little family.” Standing no more than four feet tall, they are the
Questions Students Ask at Each Stage of Their Journey
It’s been interesting to watch Megan grow up, from an elementary school student all the way to today, as a college student. I’ve watched her mature through the typical stages a kid goes through—where she seemed to almost change personalities and move between extraversion and introversion—through her teen years. Megan actually inspired the thought I’m sharing in today’s blog. Since 1979,
One Big Question I Asked Generation iY Students
As our team worked on the new e-chapter for the book Generation iY, one thing we wanted to do was feature input from students themselves. So I asked a question I felt would help us understand these young Millennials—one that allows them to clarify who they are and how they are different. It’s simple and to the point: What do you
Conversations with Generation iY Students
This summer, we celebrate the fourth anniversary of the book Generation iY—Our Last Chance to Save Their Future. Amazingly, it continues to sell better now than when it was first published! It’s all about the young Millennials, and it seems adults everywhere are seeking how to better connect with young people, engage them, and help them become ready adults. After
Growing Leaders at Kennesaw Mountain High School
I wish you could meet Billy Richardson, Vice Principal at Kennesaw Mountain High School. More than that, I wish you could meet the teens that attend there. They experience such an incredible culture on this campus, I just had to share it in a blog. For years, the administration at KMHS has been determined to deepen character and cultivate leadership
The Inverse Relationship Between Empathy and Narcissism
Do you remember the character in Greek mythology named Narcissus? He was the handsome man who, because of his indifference and disdain toward others, was punished by the gods to fall in love with his own reflection when he looked into the water. In fact, he so enraptured by his beauty that he was unable to pull himself away from
Students Need Push Time and Pull Time
You've probably read how American students continue to fall behind their international peers in many academic subjects, especially math. In the most recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), U.S. students ranked 26th out of 34 countries in math. Many assume math isn't our students' strong suit. I don't believe it. I simply believe we have not developed them well. Students are Underestimated
An Update on Generation iY: The Trust Factor
For four years now, I’ve written on the second half of Generation Y (aka “Millennials”), the young adults who are just now entering adulthood. Sociologists have attempted to help the rest of us understand this new breed of digital natives who are the first generation to grow up online and not have to adapt to technology. I’ve mentioned a variety
One Secret for Moving Students From Childhood to Adulthood
The news these days is filled with stories of students who get stuck in childhood, even though they’re old enough to be responsible for their behavior. More and more university students are saying to their teachers, “I pay your salary, so you should give me what I want.” Think this is strange? Thirty percent of college students polled feel that they
Resourcefulness: Why It’s Needed, Why It’s Hard for Kids
A university faculty member shared a recent conversation she had with a student. After failing an exam, her student approached her to negotiate the grade. This is nothing new. What was new was the student’s complaints: “You didn’t give us enough time. The test was way too long.” “Why didn’t you tell us the exam was comprehensive?” “We didn’t have
My Prediction Has Come to Pass
Are you keeping track of the protests and demonstrations around the world today? It’s reminiscent of the 1960s, when America was first introduced to “Baby Boomers.” Then, it was the result of a huge population of youth, who—due to their sheer size, their parents, and their confidence—found a voice in culture, which often led to violence. Let’s look at what’s
Out of Africa: Ordinary Leaders Changing Their World
Yesterday, I blogged about how our team just visited Egypt, whose people are in a crucial time in their nation’s history. We met with several leaders who confirmed that now is the time for Egypt to capitalize on new opportunities. They also wanted the world to know the true story of what’s really happened over the last three years. On our
Egypt Today: Updates You Won’t Hear on CNN
It seems like everywhere we look in our world today, we’re reminded of tragedy and crisis: the missing Malaysian Airline jet; the mudslide in Washington; turmoil in the Ukraine; our national debt; you name it. Last week, part of our team at Growing Leaders traveled to Egypt—another region that’s recently experienced turmoil—to meet with key educational leaders and to train 450
Training Kids Without Stressing Them Out
Trevor was an elementary school student whose days were full, Monday through Friday. When school got out, he went straight to tutoring sessions with Ms. Malcolm, followed by soccer practice, dinner and finally, his community karate class. Trevor enjoyed each of these activities (well, except for the school tutoring), and didn't want to miss out on them because he had
The Inverse Relationship Between Technology and Soft Skills
I’m hearing stories from students these days that I would never have predicted fifteen years ago. Females in a sorority recently said they all shower with their cell phones. Yep. They put them in a plastic bag and place them on the soap dish so they don’t miss one text, Instagram or Snapchat. Most students I know sleep with their
The Rules We Create When We Lack Emotional Intelligence
Consider the strange new “rules” our society has created over the last two decades when it comes to managing kids. First, we decided to not keep score at games. We felt losing would become too traumatic for them to handle. Then, it was kids getting to swing at the ball as many times as they want until they hit it.
Five Qualities Google Looks for as They Hire New Grads
Once students finish school, do you ever wonder: Did we prepare them for a career in the real world…or for more school? Tune in all teachers, coaches, parents and employers. One of America’s most admired companies, Google, recently acknowledged what they look for when they hire a graduate. It actually has nothing to do with GPA or what school they graduated
Should College Athletes Be Able to Unionize?
In a ruling that could revolutionize college athletics, a federal agency ruled Wednesday that college football players at Northwestern University can unionize. The decision by a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board means it agrees football players at the Big Ten school qualify as employees under federal law and therefore can create the nation's first college athlete's union. But
4 Ideas to Help Students Navigate Their Anxiety
One of my greatest concerns is the poor mental health our teens and young adults experience today. Teenagers in the U.S. endure higher levels of stress than many adults, according to a report by the American Psychological Association. And college students are definitely more "stressed" than students in past generations. While levels of "extreme stress" among teens vary during the year, 34 percent
What Stands in the Way of Female Leaders? (Part One)
I have a dear friend who’s facing issues that began when she was a young teen. Haley (not her real name) is a beautiful, funny, smart woman who’s now overcoming feeling “fake” most of her life. It all began when she and some friends decided to tell each other what was wrong with each of them at a teen sleepover.
Six Benefits to Ripping Up the Rulebook
Ridding Swanson Primary School of playtime rules is having an incredible impact on children who attend the Auckland, New Zealand elementary school. The principal and faculty decided to try something completely counter-intuitive, then assess how the students responded to see the results. I think it's safe to say--most everyone was stunned. Instead of the usual list of "rules" most schools enforce, Principal Bruce
At the Corner of Big Dreams and Harsh Realities
As a senior in high school, Ray quit school to join the army. He fought in two tours of Afghanistan before being injured and returning home to civilian life. He saw a counselor and inquired about what he needed to do to go on a speaking tour and talk about life on the battlefield. He’d heard of other ex-soldiers who
The Five Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make Teaching Habitudes
For more than ten years, schools, universities, athletic teams, corporations, youth groups, and non-profit organizations have used Habitudes® to ignite conversations and build leadership skills in the emerging generation. Along the way, we’ve partnered with a company to assess outcomes and discover what is working and what is not. One observation stands out. When the images have produced less than stellar
I’d Rather Lose My Ford or My Finger Than My Phone
In case you're wondering how kids today think, new research enables us to answer that question and see how absolutely different they are from their elders. According to a recent Cisco Study, adolescents put technology in the same category as air and water. They feel they need it to live their lives. In fact, they would rather give up their pinky finger than
How to Lead an Outlier Student
A statement made centuries ago may just enlighten us today. “If he continues to play that way, the organ will be ruined in two years, or most of the congregation will be deaf.” The statement was made by the employer of young Johann Sebastian Bach. Fortunately, the man was dead wrong about the future of this kid organ player. Bach became a
Generations at Work—A New Kind of Diversity Challenge
I just met Melanie and discovered she was job hunting. She graduated from college ten months ago and still has not found a career “match.” When I asked if she’d ever had a full-time job, she relayed this story. I got her permission to tell it. Melanie got her first job the summer following graduation and was excited to show her
Four Amazing Kids Who “Get It”
Today, instead of interpreting statistics on how culture is disabling teens from growing up, I’ve chosen to remind you of a handful of students who “get it” and are already using their time and talent for redemptive purposes. They’ve added value to the world around them. They’re contributors, not mere consumers. Be encouraged. Paving the Way for Others Here’s a story you
What Does It Mean for a Teen to Leave Home?
You probably saw the news report this week. Rachel Canning, a high school senior in New Jersey who claims her parents “threw her out of their home” when she turned 18, now plans to sue her parents to force them to pay for her college tuition. Wow. We live in a whole new day today, don’t we? But instead of taking a
From Entitled to Empowered: Eight Steps to Combat Entitlement in the Classroom
In part one of this series, I provided evidence for an increased sense of entitlement in students today - from K-12 education to college. Students have received praise just for making their bed and awards for just being on the soccer team. In the classroom, students feel they deserve a good grade for simply attending class and doing the readings. They feel
From Entitled to Empowered: Building Four Virtues in Students to Combat Entitlement in the Classroom
Professors from universities across the U.S. have all told me the same story. Their students are increasingly portraying feelings of entitlement toward good grades, adjusted deadlines, class perks and special treatment. One professor said a student told him, "I pay your salary, so you have to do what I want." In the response section to a 2012 Chronicle of Higher Education article, educators
The Fine Line Between Commitment & Obsession
Let’s start a conversation about one of the most controversial issues today—at least for coaches, teachers and parents of young performers. First, let me introduce you to Megan. Megan is a gymnast. Or, should I say, was a gymnast. She’s been into gymnastics since she was four years old. Like many who are gifted in the sport, it became her obsession.
Four Lost Qualities We Must Build in Students Today
I find myself challenging adults to call students back to fundamentals today. It’s not that I’m against progress; technology is not going away and most of us don’t want it to. Our world is growing at a fast pace, and change always comes with growth. But I am concerned we adults are not helping young adults navigate their lives. We