Crazy School Rules (Part Two)
I receive notes and emails from both educators and parents, informing me of the changes going on in their part of the country. Sometimes, they make me smile. At times, they make me cringe. Once in a while, they make me cry. Yesterday and today, I am blogging about two fundamental changes I’m hearing about in schools and what they mean
Crazy School Rules (Part One)
I receive notes and emails from both educators and parents, informing me of the changes going on in their part of the country. Sometimes, they make me smile. At times, they make me cringe. Once in a while, they make my cry. Today and tomorrow, I plan to blog about two fundamental changes I’m hearing about and what they mean to
A Lesson in Maturity that Adults Can Learn from Students
As the NFL is figuring out how to deal with the issue of bullying in the Miami Dolphins locker room, a middle school football team in Michigan has a more profound understanding of the game that professionals may never reach. The Eagles football team, from Olivet Middle School in Olivet, Michigan, decided to run a play and deliberately not score, all
Young Employees Get a Slow Start on a Career…and What It Means
As students graduate from high school or college—they’re getting a later start in their career. In response, moms and dads are welcoming their kids back home, to help them experience a safe haven as they seek out a steady income. Many find jobs, but they don’t actually start careers—until eight years later. This has far-reaching impact on these young workers. Recent
Podcast #17: An Interview with Carol Dweck on Motivating & Affirming Students
Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D., is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her book Mindset is based on the truly groundbreaking idea that achievement and success can come from our mindset. She has spoken to many adults (faculty, parents and coaches) on
Five Tips for Teaching Your Children Self Control
Today’s blog is a guest post from Erica Fener, who shares some tips for building discipline into young people. I hope you enjoy it. Erica—you work with students of all kinds, in addition to your own children. Talk to us about how teachers, coaches and parents can cultivate self-control in kids. Give us some strategies that could work with kids of
Three Corrections to Make If Your Kids Go Astray
Let’s face it. Even the best teachers have students that don’t engage in class and fail. Even the best parents have children that don’t follow their example. Even the best coaches have young players that make poor decisions and disqualify themselves. According to nationwide research, when engaged parents see their kids are turning out poorly, the topic of arguments shifts from
Top 5 Articles: The Secret to Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids
I appreciate everyone who reads, comments, and sparks continued research through our blog articles. I wanted to take this week to post the top 5 articles that have helped leaders like you over the last 10 years. Today's article is "The Secret to Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids." We live in complex times. As I work with thousands of parents and faculty
How to SOAR as You Lead
I believe we must harness people’s aspirations if we have any hope of progress. If we teach students, we must help them harness their aspirations. If they don’t know “why” they are learning something they may never engage in the “what.” By looking at aspirations and results, both leaders and followers “soar.”
What’s at the Root of All Young Leader Development?
One of the crying needs of our day is to equip our youth to lead the way into the future. Certainly we must teach them to be followers first—but there is a great need for leadership development as they graduate and enter their careers.
Turning 21 in America
My son just turned 21. As we celebrated this occasion, we started talking about the rights and responsibilities that come with turning 21.
What Leadership Traits Are You Planting?
A friend of mine sent me this short story about planting leadership traits. It’s simple but profound. Hope you enjoy it and practice its truth.
Podcast #13: Ten Ways We Can Lead Better
Today, we want to dive into solutions for the 3 huge mistakes we make leading kids to help you lead better as a parent, coach, and educator.
Are You Resistant to the Change Generation iY Brings?
For centuries, older generations dig their heels in and resist the changes that emerging generations like generation iY brings, as they become adults.
Google Glass Explorers are the New Wave
Have you seen them? I previewed these special google glass explorers three years ago, and now Google is introducing them like a movie premiere in Hollywood.
Highlights From The National Leadership Forum
This past week, we hosted our 2013 National Leadership Forum in Atlanta, GA. Our theme: "Marching Off the Map."
Stop Six Thieves Before They Rob You
Today I want to do something a little different. As the new school year launches, it’s so easy to get sucked into the rat race again. Vacations are over, and the hectic fall schedule begins soon. I was musing about this recently, bracing myself for a fast-paced August and September. I often find I “lose” myself during this busy season. I
Drawing Commitments From Gen Y
I have a friend whose son made the varsity basketball team his freshman year of high school. He worked hard to make the team, so we were all proud of him. Because he was a first year student, however, he didn’t get a lot of playing time, and approached his dad with an idea. “Dad, I’m sitting on the bench
It Was My Pleasure….
Have you ever been a part of a project that required intense focus and labor, but afterward you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world?Last Thursday and Friday, our organization, Growing Leaders, hosted our 2009 National Leadership Forum. I would describe it with the words above. Our theme was: "Niche: Equipping Students to Find Their Place in the World."