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
The Main Reason Kids Lack Confidence
When Brandon told me he wanted to start a YouTube channel that helped people who share the same vision get together and collaborate, I asked him, “What’s stopping you?” “I don’t have the confidence,” he acknowledged. Over the next several minutes, Brandon and four of his friends joined me in a conversation about why teens may lack confidence to try things they
10 Slang Terms Teens Use That Adults Should Know
Last fall, ESPN ran a very funny piece on how NCAA football coaches did not understand the slang terms of their players. From Nick Saban to Tom Allen, coaches admitted that the terminology their youth athletes used to communicate was a little like a foreign language to them. Sometimes they said it felt like they needed a translator to explain
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
The Problem With Many Smartphone Solutions
Smartphones have been around long enough for people to see both the benefits and consequences of such devices on young people. As our speaker team makes their way across the country this month to 45 school events, we are meeting educators, coaches and parents who mourn the addictive nature of portable devices. We now know that smartphones are as addictive
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
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
The Dark Side of Alexa and Siri for Your Kids
This summer, I witnessed something I never anticipated in a young child. I was visiting a friend’s home who had three young children. They also have Alexa, a smart speaker in their kitchen. His kids are growing up with artificial intelligence around them all the time—smart phones, smart watches, and now smart tech you can order around at home. And that’s
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
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
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
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
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
Should Parents Be Friends with Their Kids on Social Media?
The answer to this question about being friends with our kids probably depends on the personality and age of your child. Some parents and kids connect well via smart phone and others do not. According to Pew Research: 53% are friends with their parents. This tends to work better when the child is between 12-14. By ages 15-21 it often
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
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 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
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
Six Traits That Predict High Performance in Life
I just spoke to a mom who’s a bit melancholy right now. Her 24-year-old son has stalled. Growing up, her son made excellent grades in school and even played two sports. She and her husband both felt good about their son’s future. Surely, he was going to flourish as an adult just as he did as a student. But it’s not
Seven Symptoms of Too Much Social Media Use
According to Common Sense Media, 50% of teens say they are addicted to their cell phone. While CSM concludes more study is needed to determine how deep the digital addiction is, teens feel the symptoms and consequences of it. It’s a growing issue in middle class America. Two-thirds of parents, 66%, feel their teens spend too much time on their mobile device. Phones have
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
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,
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
How to Earn the Trust of Generation Z
The latest research on young people, those 20 and younger, reveals some insights into the mindset of teenagers. One that may surprise you—while teens today love to engage with social media—they love their privacy too. Even more than you do. One of the top ten patterns spotted in the Social Media Trends 2018 Report is vividly illustrated by all the aliases
Five Helpful Responses to Teen Anxiety and Depression
So how do you know if your teen is experiencing genuine symptoms of anxiety or depression, or if they’re simply, well…uh…a teenager. Adolescents have always shown symptoms of moodiness because of the hormone changes taking place, due to the life station they’re in. They can be emotional, withdrawn or even act out. Often, these are just signs of the times.
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
How Much Is Too Much Social Media Use?
Even though they’re no longer a couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie both recently confirmed they put safety measures on the Internet to provide boundaries for their children. They definitely plan to keep watch on their social media use as their children age. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently suggested he wouldn’t want his nephew on a social network. Years ago, Apple
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
The Research on What Creates Satisfied and Successful Kids
I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic since 1980. When I was first diagnosed, the technology for patients like me was average at best. Insulin was available, but I had to take multiple injections every day; we measured glucose levels instead of total carbs and I had to test my blood sugar levels with a urine sample. They told me I
The A,B,C’s of Building Coping Skills in Your Students
I recently returned from a leadership training event that included both students and staff/faculty at Texas Tech. This campus is full of incredibly smart individuals and high performing coaches and athletes. Like other universities, however, it’s a place of high pressure to make the grade, make the team and make the most of opportunities. It was while I was there I
New Report Details the Devastating Effects Social Media Is Having on Generation Z
Today, we hear from Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a next gen researcher, speaker, and author for Growing Leaders. A study released in Jan 2018 by Barna Research Group reveals that Generation Z is more emotionally affected by the perils of social media than other generations who are also online. Utilizing a quantitative survey of 1,490 nationally representative students—ages 13 to 18 across the US—researchers
Our Narrative: One Variable to Reduce Student Stress
In the final week of January—our launch into a new year—Americans again felt the anguish of a school shooting. A 15-year-old boy shot several of his peers, killing two and wounding more than a dozen others at a rural Kentucky high school. That attack, the third at or near a U.S. school in just three days, serves to deepen the
Five Action Steps to Prevent Teens from Becoming Violent
By now, we’ve all heard about and grieved over the school shooting last Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that took 17 lives. It was horrific. Once again, the pattern was similar to many past school shootings: The perpetrator was a young male. The gun was an AR-15 rifle. His parents were unable to guide him. (They were gone)
How Is Digital Text Affecting Student Comprehension?
Today, we hear from Andrew McPeak. Andrew is a next gen researcher, speaker, and author for Growing Leaders. A recent article from the National Education Association explored the question of whether or not digital reading is equal to reading in print. Their findings were quite telling. “While digital reading ‘is part and parcel of living and learning in the 21st century,’ […] educators should still
Are Free College Classes Good News or Bad News?
Have you heard the news? A growing number of communities across the U.S. are now offering free college tuition to students. In reaction to rising higher education costs, as well as education budget cuts, 200 campus locations are providing some form of tuition-free community college education, hoping that the return on investment will boost their economies. If you’re counting, it’s
Practicing the Lost Art of Moderation
I’ve noticed a missing word in our vocabulary for a decade now. I rarely hear the word “moderation.” Instead, I see both students and adults becoming addicted to technology, including everyday devices like phones, tablets or video games. Believe it or not, students in our recent focus groups readily admitted to an addiction to both their phones and to social
Five Strategies to Prevent Gen Z from Being a Distracted Generation
Ah, we’re entering Oscar season again, where filmmakers and performers are awarded by the Academy for their work. It reminds me of what happened last year. Do you remember the fiasco that happened a year ago? It was at the 2017 Oscar Awards that one of the biggest mistakes in its history was made. The winner for the best picture was announced
Dave Hart on the Best Culture for Today’s Athletic Departments: Podcast #55
Today I’m excited to share with you a conversation with Dave Hart. He served as an administrator in collegiate athletics for over 35 years at several schools, including East Carolina University, Florida State University and the University of Alabama. Most recently, he was the Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee from 2011-2016. Here are some highlights from our conversation. Tim
Four Balancing Acts to Perform on a New Generation of Kids
I took my family to see the movie, “The Greatest Showman” the day before Christmas. They loved it. It’s the story of the entrepreneur P. T. Barnum, who launched what became Barnum and Bailey’s Traveling Circus. The film showed the development of the different acts, which eventually included not only animals, but trapeze artists, jugglers and tightrope walkers. (I read up