studentlinc

Better Tools = Better Student [Article Link]

Lifehacker's Jason Fitzpatrick has created an excellent list of tools you may or may not be using with that laptop you own. He writes...

Despite the proliferation of laptops and netbooks, the vast majority of students still use their computers like $500 typewriters. Stop working so hard and be a better student by leveraging some clever computer tools to your advantage.

Every semester I get a new wave of college freshman into my classroom, most of them armed with laptops. For the last several semesters, I have been informally tracking how they use their computers. I always assumed that my students were using their computers to their full potential to help them with school, research, and such, but almost all of them were simply using their laptops as extremely expensive typewriters and instant-messaging terminals.

What good is all the computing power of the pre-1960s world sitting on your lap if you're not using it to make college life easier? The following is a guide for students everywhere that want to spend less time on the tedious stuff, and more time on the things like study and research that actually produce results.

Read the article in it's entirey: Use Better Tools To Be A Better Student In 2010.

The Most Important Day Of The Year

Some of my friends think I'm a bit of a cynic when the New Year rolls around.

I think it's because I tend to hold a negative view of resolutions, goals, and promises made on the first day of a new year. I just don't think they work. Don't get me wrong...I wholeheartedly believe that resolutions, goals, and promises work. In fact, they're vitally necessary if one is to grow and develop as a person.

I just don't think we're focusing on the right number.

I'm just not a fan of date-based changes. I don't believe the calendar gives us enough sustaining momentum to create reasonable and necessary change in our lives. In fact, I think if we focus too much on the year (or even the month) we lose sight of where change REALLY occurs - one day at a time.

This is why I think it's better to make a resolution, a new habit, or a promise today...and then work on it daily.

I can understand all of the excitement that comes with a new year. It's a great party. There's some space with the holidays to spend a little time in reflection. There is also a sense of hope that the upcoming year will be a little better than the last. It can bring about a sense of a new, clean slate.

But I woke up on January 1 the same person I was when I went to bed on December 31 (actually...I didn't go to bed on December 31 because I stayed up to breathe New Year air). I think the commitment to make a change on January 1 is just as effective as deciding to start a new habit on July 27 (or any random date)  AS LONG AS a person commits to living out that change on a DAILY basis.

I guess I've seen too many people fizzle out by January 21 on date-based changes because their commitment lacked the proper motivation - the calendar couldn't keep them inspired because they were focused on the wrong number.

So I say "Welcome 2010! We're glad you're here!" But my focus is going to be on what I can accomplish with that number in the middle...I call that number: TODAY...the most important day of the year.

Finding The Next Great Leader

Looking for potential leaders?

Excellent article over at Learn This

The patterns that emerged were often surprising even to the researchers. The researchers determined that great leaders were passionate about doing what was best for their companies. This drive for the advancement of the company took precedence over their drive for personal advancement and recognition. The leaders of these companies also exercised personal humility by passing forward credit and accepting blame. Additionally, they asked questions as often, if not more often, than they gave answers. This empowered their people to make important decisions which increased their confidence, skills, and commitment to the organization. These leaders also exhibited commonalities within their personal lives. Many of the leaders studied were extremely modest. They often preferred domestic cars or pick-up trucks over exotic sports cars. They also had a tendency to live in moderate houses instead of sprawling mansions or estates. Though humble and modest, these leaders were not meek. They tended to be stoic when it came to important business decisions. They would make tough decisions without great emotion and fanfare but rather with quiet resolve and determination. In short, great leaders are defined by their humility, integrity, determination, and strength of character, not by their stage presence and strength of personality.

You could create a pretty good checklist based on this paragraph alone.

Read the article in its entirety - Why Is It So Hard For Companies To Find Great Leaders?

Hit The Nail With Your Head

If you don't read Seth Godin's blog...you're missing out.

I can describe it in one word: Really Good!

Just read this post about "hammers." You should too.

Maybe it's time for a new hammer...

One study found that when confronted with a patient with back pain, surgeons prescribed surgery, physical therapists thought that therapy was indicated and yes, acupuncturists were sure needles were the answer. Across the entire universe of patients, the single largest indicator of treatment wasn't symptoms or patient background, it was the background of the doctor.

Read the post in it's entirety: Hammer Time

The Challenge Has Been Issued

...now we'll step back and see who the real leaders are.

It's a simple test, really. You simply raise the bar and watch for those who work hard to get over it amongst everyone else who runs from it (or complains about it, or argues with it, or offers excuses against it).

It's called The Challenge Test. Gather a group of people who all claim to be excited and motivated and on board with the team and show them the mountain they have to climb, the problem they have to solve, and the level of excellence they're required to perform at. One by one, each person will show their true leadership colors.

Leaders are drawn to a challenge. Not only do they want to accomplish something personally, but they realize they can't accomplish something great on their own. They see a challenge and start to find ways to bring the right people around that will meet the challenge head on.

Others aren't so enthusiastic. Maybe at first they are. But after awhile - the heightened expectations, the necessity to stretch and grow, the venture into places they've never been before - it becomes too much for them and they bow out. It's not that they can't make the journey...they're just not the ones you want leading it.

Try it out yourself. Next time you're in a meeting or engaged with a group of people who all claim to be leaders - raise the bar...offer a challenge. Then sit back and watch their reactions. It won't be difficult to identify the leaders (those who think and act as leaders) as they emerge.

The Challenge Test is most evident for me around the time that we begin to transition our student leaders each year. Those who are leaving their student leadership positions are ready to move on (to the next challenge) and often begin to communicate some of the things they are frustrated with in their current position. What's remarkable is to hear from the students who are getting ready to move into these positions of leadership. They are motivated, excited, and full of solutions to the very issues that are frustrating the outgoing leadership. What one group sees as an obstacle...the next group sees as an opportunity. Part of it is simply the natural process of the transition each year. But the principle is still there...

A leader emerges when the challenge appears.

Think about your own response to the challenges that lie before you. If someone raised the bar would you rise to the challenge? Are you a problem solver? Do you hope that someone else will raise their hand when a difficult situation confronts your team? Are you growing more and more comfortable in your student leadership role?

The challenge has been issued...I'm just wondering if you'll be the one to lead.

A Leadership Letter From My Kid's Coach

/NOTE: I received this letter in an email from Mitch's ski coach. Mitch is my third child and currently skis in the J3 class for the McCall Ski Racing Team. I was impressed by Pete Petry's challenge to equip my son mentally and physically for this year's racing season./

It takes a combination of things to become a successful athlete. If you look at any top professional athlete, Ted Ligety, Lindsey Vonn, Kerry Walsh, Kobe Bryant etc you will notice a certain swagger in addition to their outstanding athletic abilities. They seem to radiate with confidence and inner-belief no matter how good or bad the event is going. These athletes are physically strong but more importantly mentally stronger. We have all watched anyone of these athletes get behind in a competition, make a mistake and put themselves in an unfavorable position; in addition we have all watched countless heroic comebacks by such athletes; Ted’s gold medal performance at the ’06 Olympics is a great example … behind after the downhill portion of the combined event Ted let it all hang out in the slalom and look what happened …America’s newest ski racing sensation!!! Ted battled the odds and came out on top.

How To Put The "STUD" In Student Leader E-Book

The path to greatness in student leadership is often paved with a lot of little things.

That's what I hoped to communicate in this ebook, STUDENT LEADER: 35 Ways To Put The STUD In Student Leader. [1.3mb PDF]

These are not difficult or time-consuming ideas. They are simple ideas that, when implemented, go a long way in establishing a student as a student leader.

Are there things that you find yourself repeating over and over to your student leaders? That's what this list is. It's the lessons and skills that I recite on a regular basis to those student leaders in my care. Sometimes you need another way to communicate. That's why I put this ebook together.

It's Free. Free to download. Free to pass out. Free to send to others. Free to use.

I would love to hear your comments about this resource. Let me know how you're using it and whom you have passed it on to.

Train Your Students Tonight With This Worksheet!

How much time do you have to train the student leaders in your community?

How much time do you have to prepare for your student leadership training times?

One of the requests I've received more than once is for an easy-to-use student worksheet for student leadership training times. I know that most advisors have difficulty finding curriculum and materials that meet their student leadership development needs.

Try this out.

I've created a one-page, downloadable worksheet that can be used right alongside the Studentlinc Core Leadership Training series. Using the SCLT lesson as a leader's guide, this worksheet is a loaded resource for your students to take with them and refer back to time and again.

Try it out. Download the SCLT Worksheet on Character. (pdf-72kb)

Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you find this helpful, I'll be producing worksheets that go with the remaining 29 lessons in the SCLT series

And if you haven't taken a look at the Studentlinc Core Leadership Training material, here's the first lesson - Character - for FREE.

UPDATE: I've enhanced the worksheet to include a section using my 5x5s teaching model. To learn more about 5x5s go here.

There's A Difference Between Asking For Help And Being Helpless [Part 4]

Student leaders often don't ask for help because they feel like it makes them look helpless.

Does that describe you?

If it does, there is hope. There is a better way. There is a way to ask for help without using the actual "H" word. There is a way to ask for help that makes the other person feel valued, appreciated, special, unique, qualified, needed, and motivated to help.

I've come up with a few ways to engage someone in the big ASK!

We ask because we need help.
We ask because we want to get others involved.
We ask because someone can help us.
We ask because it's what leaders do.
We ask because we can't and don't want to do it all by ourselves.
We ask because it actually empowers others.
We ask because it shows others where there is an opportunity.

So try some of these ideas. Some of them are simply statements that you can lead with. Others are direct questions that ask for help.

• I've noticed you did a really great job on that project. What do you thing about doing something similar for us?
• We need someone like you on our team.
• When we started this project, I immediately thought of you.
• Would you be willing to partner with us?
• Would you be willing to take the lead on this?
• Could you recommend someone who is as talented as you who could assist us?
• You were recommended as someone who could assist us with this.
• If you were in my position what would you do?
• Do you want to be a part of something remarkable?
• I know you're overqualified, but can you give us a bit of your expertise?
• I know you're really busy, but can you give us an hour of your time?
• I know you're interested in making this the best year ever, can you jump on board this project?
• We just need one more person to make this thing a huge success.
• We'd all feel a lot better about this project if we knew that someone like yourself was on board with us.
• This is going to make a huge difference on our campus. I know you'll enjoy working on this.
• I've seen you do this kind of thing before. Can you show me how you did it so that I can how as well?
• Just imagine how great everyone is going to feel if we can pull this off. Don't you want to be a part of making that happen?
• Hey! Could you look at something for me? What do you think?
• I am useless in this area. Would you be able to do anything to help move things forward?
• You're the most (insert adjective here) person I know. And I'm looking for a (insert same adjective here) person.

What do you think? Are you ready to go and recruit the people you need to make your student leadership year the best ever? Don't just lay general invitations out there through mass emails or a flyer. Ask individual people...those whom you feel would do a great job. Help them see why they'd be great and what they'd get out of it.

It will take some discernment.
It will take some courage.
It will take some humility.
It will take some time.

But it will make you a better student leader. So go ahead and ask for help. It sure beats being helpless.

Read Part One.
Read Part Two.
Read Part Three.

There's A Difference Between Asking For Help And Being Helpless [Part 3]

Here's a true story...

Sally (I changed the name) was our yearbook editor. She was fun-loving, easy to work with, and confident. Throughout the year, she would give update reports to the executive student leadership team about her progress on the book. When the end of the year came and summer arrived, she stated that she'd have the whole book turned in within a week.

At the beginning of the next school year, the new Student Government President and I sat down to talk about the plans for the upcoming year. He asked me when the yearbook would be arriving. I told him to call our yearbook company and check on the shipping date.

He came back into my office a few moments later. Our yearbook company had received NOTHING from our school.

Unfortunately for us, the previous year's yearbook editor did not return to school. As we worked to solve the mystery, one thing became increasingly clear:

This student had become overwhelmed with her responsibilities and was fearful of asking for help because she felt like people would think she was incapable.

As I stated in the second part of this series, some student leaders will never reach out and ask someone else for help. And it makes me wonder...why?

Here's some of the reasons why I think students will choose to face failure rather than facing the fact that they need help:

Insecurity - When a student accepts a student leader position, he wants to be perceived as a student leader. He wants people to think that he's capable of accomplishing all of the things that the position requires. But doing all of the tasks simply makes him a student worker. The reality is, he's not a student leader until he gets others involved. A student leader doesn't have to be able to do everything...he just needs to find the right people to accomplish the tasks.

Naiveness - Sometimes, a student leader won't realize all of the things that a position will require of her. She just thinks it will be fun. She doesn't realize that every position requires a price to pay in order to be able to play. If a student leader pays on the front end, she'll be better able to play on the back end. But if she plays up front...she'll have to pay at some point. And the cost keeps going up throughout the year. Simply ignoring a problem or deadline doesn't make it go away.

Ego/Arrogance - The term "student leader" infers that the one who is leading is also a student. That means that the leader is a learner. If a leader stops learning, the leader stops leading. A student leader who refuses to ask for help may be suffering from an overinflated ego. Even though a student leader NEEDS help, he may be reluctant because he doesn't want to look HELPLESS. But failing to ask is just asking to fail.

Past Betrayal - I'll be the first to admit that it's often easier to simply do things yourself. A student leader may have asked someone for help in the past and that person let her down. But that's how it goes sometimes. Rather than give up on people, why not learn how to spot better, potential leaders? Take the time to learn from the experience and create systems that help to keep people accountable and intrinsically motivated.

Not Sure Who To Ask - Sometimes a student leader won't ask for help because he doesn't see anyone whom he feels is capable. That's okay. One of the first things a student leader must decide is what are the things that only he should do. Then he can work toward delegating the other tasks and getting others involved. Is there someone whom you can train? Perhaps you need to look outside of your circle of friends? Have you asked your advisor whom he or she would recommend? If a student leader doesn't think anyone is qualified, he may have to reevaluate what he's asking for or his own perception of people.

Hopefully, you're beginning to understand that asking for help is not a bad thing. In fact, it can be the best thing you do as a student leader. What is it that scares you about asking for help? Is it the word itself - help?

Looks like I need a part four to this thing. Next up...how to ask for help without saying the word - help.

Photo found on Flickr by Shira Golding.