One Great Reason to Reduce Social Media Use
I just finished speaking to both parents and students at a high school and—wouldn’t you know it—social media was the all-consuming topic of my two days on campus. So many parents felt obliged to purchase a smart phone for their child as a middle-schooler, and now years into the social media craze, many feel it’s an addiction. One parent called
The Unexpected Outcome of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
Every now and then, you hear a story that takes your breath away. A true story that defies human logic, but displays human nature at its very best. Such a story took place a few weeks ago in Pennsylvania. By now, you’ve heard various accounts of the tragic shooting that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh, PA.
How a Pig Increased Initiative in Students
With Thanksgiving upon us—I’d love to tell you about something I am thankful for. The story below fills me with both pride and hope. Paoli High School is one of the schools The Growing Leaders Initiative collaborates with. We’ve granted Habitudes® resources, to help them learn leadership as teenagers. (The Growing Leaders Initiative is the philanthropic arm of our mission that gifts
How Do We Build Good Leaders in High School Athletics?
A high school basketball coach surprised me when he told me recently that he couldn’t get any of his boys on the team to be the “captain.” Typically, he said, the team votes on each season’s new captains, but when the votes were counted, the two students who got the most votes turned down the job. They didn’t want the responsibility
Two Skills Every Student Needs Before Graduation
There’s an ongoing tension that educational leaders constantly feel on their jobs. Almost every educator I interact with these days faces a tension between two realities: The need to teach to the test, so students score high enough to get funding. The desire to prepare students to be life and career ready upon graduation. This is the dilemma of 21st century
Positive Discipline: Three Practical Strategies Parents Can Use
I’m hearing more and more stories lately of teenagers filing lawsuits against parents. It’s quite disconcerting to me. In the wake of decades of expanding children’s rights, kids are now using terms with adults like: You can’t do that to me. I have rights to my privacy. This is my life to live how I want to. I’m going to
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
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,
Seven Ways to Prevent Athletes From a De-Commit or Transfer
I know a high school senior who was recruited to play volleyball at a NCAA Division One School. Emily told me the coaches “courted” her for months until she finally committed to play there. And then, when she actually showed up to play, things were different. After a week of volleyball camp, Emily “de-committed.” It’s a coach’s thorn in their side. It’s
How to Enjoy Watching Your Teens Play Sports
I recently saw this sign (below) hanging near a youth sports field, just north of Atlanta, where I live. It made me smile and it had several people snapping photos of it prior to game time. Everyone was smirking, smiling or chuckling. The sign says so much about the adults who watch those games. When I ponder the problems with athletics today—from
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
The Important Division Between Fault and Responsibility
My mom and dad told me over the years that I was a funny little kid, when I was very young. Whenever anything went wrong in our home—a spilled drink at the kitchen table, a lost item from a room, a torn sock, you name it—I apologized for it. Even if it clearly wasn’t my fault, I felt I needed
How to Overcome Job Shaming
I’m not sure if you caught it, but actor Geoffrey Owens recently appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” after an incident that took place in New York. You might remember Owens as the actor known for his comedic role as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show, between 1985 and 1992. But recently, Owens was “job shamed.” Photos of Geoffrey, working in a Trader Joe's, were published by The
Four Practices That Naturally Develop Leaders
I am honored to announce that The Growing Leaders Initiative has been named a top five finalist in the Southeast region for the 2019 True Inspiration Award. Voting is now open. Help The Growing Leaders Initiative continue to make a difference in the local community and internationally by voting. Thank you! To vote: 1. Click this link 2. Select the Southeast region 3. Submit
Building a “Whatever It Takes” Attitude On Your Team
The phrase hung over the doorway of the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room for decades. It has been used over and over again by championship teams from all sports. It’s a mindset. It’s a way of life. It’s an attitude. “Whatever it takes.” Yet, after surveying young adults today I’ve observed a hesitancy to embrace this attitude. While the phrase “whatever it takes”
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 Ordinary Traits of Extraordinary Leaders
During my doctoral studies in leadership development, one question framed more conversations than almost any other: do great leaders form in any age and under any circumstance—or do contrary circumstances actually “summon” leaders to step forward? For example, would we have ever heard of attorney Abraham Lincoln had we never had a civil war to fight or a union to
Three Traits Generation Z Possesses That We Adults Often Don’t
I recently watched a TED Talk, featuring a young teen named Ashton Cofer. He and a team of peers decided to take on a significantly large and yet unsolved problem in America: Styrofoam waste. From packing peanuts to disposable coffee cups, each year the U.S. alone produces some two billion pounds of Styrofoam—none of which can be recycled. Frustrated by this
Why Empathy Must Be Taught
When speaking to high school students recently, I commented on the rising number of teens who experience high levels of stress and anxiety in our culture today. One very sharp senior raised her hand and said, “Wow! I knew I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, but I didn’t know so many other students do as well.” This is a picture
One Great Response to FOMO
Hilariously, everyone I meet across the nation has heard of FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. Fewer have heard of the other fears students say they have today: FOLO: Fear of Living Off-line. FOMU: Fear of Messing Up. FOJO: Fear of Judgment On-line. FOMIRL: Fear of Meeting in Real Life. All of these fears have apparently surfaced because of our 24/7 connection
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
One Important Resolution to Make This School Year
I just read some research that confirmed what I suspected for years. Even though students in Generation Z (those growing up in the 21st century) desire to “make the world a better place,” volunteering is down, not up. Yes—you read that correctly. Here is a quick summary of the findings from Education Week: A recent study by the University of Maryland's
Four Expectations Generation Z Has of Future Employers
The first wave of young adults from Generation Z are entering the workforce, and believe it or not, they are different from the Millennial Generation, who are a bit older than they are. Generation Z is the population who grew up during the first fifteen years of the 21st century. Although those years involved economic recession instead of economic expansion
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
Three Ways to Beat Social Media Addiction
For three years, we’ve heard teens say in our focus groups that they are “addicted to social media.” In fact, it’s been said so often, it almost sounds cliché. Today, however, some of the early pioneers of social media platforms admit they purposely created features that not only lure us into overuse, but they hold us on a social media platform
Sometimes Leadership Is a Life or Death Situation
Sometimes helping students goes far deeper than our usual activities on a typical day. Take Sheila Fedrick’s situation for instance. Sheila is a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines. She’s a fifteen-year veteran and is good at her job. Typically, this means she has a pleasant attitude and serves nice cold drinks to the passengers. Oh, and one more thing. Flight attendants
Seven Leadership Lessons from Mr. Rogers
In June, a movie was released in select theaters across the country: “Won't You Be My Neighbor?” It was a well-done documentary on the life and career of Fred Rogers, the man who hosted the show we came to know as kids—Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. My entire family enjoyed the inside story of how this person caught his vision to impart
Leading Student Athletes Who Don’t Think They Need a Coach
Two years ago, UConn women’s basketball coach, Geno Auriemma, did an interview just before the Final Four. It was re-posted on Facebook a couple of months ago and has gained traction again with so many coaches across our nation. Ole’ Geno didn’t pull any punches in the interview. After more than 30 years as a head coach, Coach Geno Auriemma said that
The Fine Line Between Free Speech and Inclusive Language
Earlier this year, a firestorm erupted between guardians of “free speech” and those who are trying to safeguard inclusive language. I’d like to hear your thoughts. A handful of students from Syracuse fraternity “Theta Tau” held a private “roast” this past semester. They lambasted others who were not present, in a frolicking party that got recorded and posted on Facebook. Doubtless
Should We Teach Our Students to Pursue Leadership Positions?
I founded Growing Leaders in 2003. From the beginning, our mission has been to partner with schools and organizations to help them develop emerging leaders. Today, I have a confession to make that might sound surprising. For most students, leadership should not be a pursuit. I don’t believe we should send the message that everyone should chase a position of power
What Do Kids Picture When You Ask Them to Draw a Leader?
A few weeks ago, Fast Company magazine published a piece where they asked young children to draw a picture of a “leader.” They did not specify what that meant; the kids could come up with whatever person or characteristics they imagined that leaders embody, and then draw it with a crayon or marker. You can probably guess that kids had definite
The Only Way to Take the High Road
Something happened last month that caught my attention, but it went unnoticed by most sports fans in America. Dwayne Casey had a breakout year as the head coach for the Toronto Raptors. The season was a record-breaking season, where he won more games for the Raptors than any other coach in their history; he achieved the best record in the conference
Your Top Responsibility as a Leader
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree—and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe.” President Lincoln understood something that few leaders buy into and even fewer practice today. It’s the art of development. Even in his day, when change happened more slowly than it does today, Lincoln recognized the vital importance of improvement
One Surprise I Got from My Time at West Point
Recently, I had the privilege of spending a day at the United States Military Academy. You know it as West Point. From the initial formation and flag salute in the morning, to the classes I attended that day—I got to tour an institution that is quite literally an incubator for leaders. All of this, I expected. In fact, my goal on
Why Every Team Needs a Four-Point Line
Not long ago, my teammate, Cody Braun, told me about the strategy the Philadelphia 76ers have used to get to where they are today. Years ago, they began playing for the future—not so much for the moment. They sacrificed wins at the time, losing many games during those seasons to earn a higher pick in the NBA draft. In other
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
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
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
Our Gift to You to Celebrate 15 Years
It’s stunning to remember what the world looked like fifteen years ago. It was in 2003, I launched “Growing Leaders”–a not-for-profit that partners with schools and organizations to resource them in building emerging leaders who are ready for life. Reflect on 2003. The Internet was only about 10 years old and some still wondered if it was a fad. Here is
Leadership Lessons from an NBA Champion Coach: Podcast #57
Today, I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Brendan Suhr. Brendan is a former NBA basketball coach with several teams—including the Detroit Pistons—where he won two NBA Championships. He was also a coach at the University of Central Florida, Louisiana State University and more. Currently, he is the founder of Coaching U —a coaching, mentoring and leadership company.
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
Eight Reasons Why Now’s the Right Time to Develop Young Leaders
When I was in high school and college, I don’t remember anyone talking about leadership. It was not a topic of conversation; it was not a course I could attend; it was not even a challenge that adults (teachers or coaches) gave me on campus. It is safe to say—leadership wasn’t even a category in my mind. The first mention of
What Generation Z Is Looking for in Leaders
Have you heard the terms, “Finsta” and “Rinsta?” They represent a fresh vocabulary for a new generation that wants more privacy on-line than previous generations: Finsta is a term for fake or friendly Instagram accounts. They allow a teen to have an unreal platform to post but not get caught up in real interaction. Rinsta is a term for real
Marches & Elections: Gen Z Isn’t Waiting for Permission to Change the World
Sophie is a high school junior. I met her a few weeks ago during an invigorating conversation with several of her peers. When the topic of social change came up, she chimed in with a memorable line: “We’re not waiting for adults to make the changes we need in our world.” She then smiled and said, “It’s up to us.” Apparently,
Six Metaphors for Effective Mentorship: Podcast #56
Today I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a next gen researcher, speaker, and writer for Growing Leaders. He also is the coauthor of our newest book, Marching Off the Map. Here are some highlights from our conversation. Tim Elmore: Mentorship is one of Growing Leaders values. A leader can’t be developed in a group
Four Guidelines to Making Critical Decisions
In recent surveys done by the Barna Group, Americans of all ages are feeling a divide. While millions of us cannot agree on many issues today—we do seem to agree on one issue: the generations are colliding. Many of the colleges and high schools we partner with have four generations on campus: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z.