Strength Based Mentoring

In the spirit of thankfulness, I wanted to share this great message from Kid President. Happy Thanksgiving!

A simple video that helps us consider the question, "What is RIGHT with you?" and why that question matters. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment  wisely and earnestly."     - Buddha

Yesterday was one of my best work days ever.  It was full of moments of smiles, hand-over-heart sighs, hugs, joy.  I was helping a new chapter learn strengths language, asking them to view themselves and each other through a strengths lens and listen for ways to honor authenticity.  As we discussed ways to change conversations and encourage hope, I felt them doing just that for me. Watching students discover their strengths is one of the most powerful parts of my job.  Regardless of their age, they have ownership of their good.  Even for just a few minutes before the universe starts reminding them of the not-so-good, they are basking in the sunshine of awesome.  I see it radiate in their faces and when I ask them for their thoughts - they use their own language to remind me how simple it is.  They are engaged.  They are excited about their own talents and curious about others. An 8th grader yesterday so eloquently told me about his DISCOVERER strength.  When I asked him where h

In Missouri Valley, students are creating a " Chain of Hope ".  Students write down one good thing that is happening in their life or something they are looking forward to.  This is a great visual to connect your "nexting" questions mentioned in the previous post.  Or add your own questions/answers during your time with your mentee. What is one way you are going to use one of your strengths this week?  What was the best part of your day? How did you make a difference this week? What's one thing you are grateful for? Send us your ideas and photos so that we can feature them here.

Nexting While Walking Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D.   in   Making Hope Happen On our morning walks to his elementary school, my son Parrish and I do lots of  nexting . We talk about his next basketball game, the next movie we’ll watch, our next family trip. Nexting comes naturally to kids. It seems to pique their curiosity and give them little boosts of joy. Nexting is my way of practicing hope with Parrish, an eight-year old. By encouraging him to talk about the future, I find out what he is excited about. I learn about his plots and plans, and I help him come up with lots of ideas for how to make things happen. If I identify some gaps in his thinking, I can explore his “wonderfully horrible ideas” jokingly. That gives us a chance to discuss why some of his strategies may not be appropriate and to pivot to one of his other ideas. Talking about the next important event in Parrish’s life also lets me gauge whether he is confident, nervous, joyful,  fearful , or downright giddy.

Guest Post by Tom Rath , author, researcher, and speaker. #1  New York Times  bestselling author of  Wellbeing, Strengths Based Leadership, StrengthsFinder 2.0,  and  How Full Is Your Bucket?  and the forthcoming  Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes. Be more of who you already are by  Tom Rath  • July 31, 2013  Be more of who you  already are. That is the primary lesson I learned from my mentor and grandfather, Donald O. Clifton , who spent a lifetime studying “ what is right with people. ” Don helped me to see that if I spent my life trying to be good at everything, I would never be great at anything. In the late 1990s, after helping thousands uncover their strengths through in-depth interviews over three decades, Don and his team created a web-based assessment called StrengthsFinder. Don’s dream was to help far more people uncover their strengths. In the early days of working on this project, each morning Don would print a report of all the people who

The New Bill of Rights for All Students By Brandon Busteed, Executive Director of Gallup Education Gallup has a silver bullet for solving many of the world’s problems. Here it is: Every student in the world, from pre-K to higher ed, needs: Someone who cares about their development  To do what they like to do each day To do what they are best at every day That’s it. It should be the new bill of rights for all students -- and frankly, all people -- worldwide. This insight is rooted in Gallup’s most important findings -- everyone in the world wants a good job, and no one ever became successful by trying to improve their weaknesses. They became great by playing to their strengths and leveraging their innate talents. These two findings have absolutely everything in common with the new bill of rights. A “good job” is not just any job. True, it’s regular work -- a job. But most importantly, it’s about being engaged in your work -- something Gallup is an expert on, having conducted m

I found a copy of   Soar With Your Strengths   – Don Clifton’s book published way back in 1992 – before the online strengths assessment and long before my Gallup strengths education.  This book so clearly defines the importance of strengths awareness and in the simplest of terms.  I highly encourage you to read it! The very first pages include this story: Let the Rabbits Run A parable from the book: Soar With Your Strengths Imagine there is a meadow. In that meadow there is a duck, a fish, an eagle, an owl, a squirrel, and a rabbit. They decide they want to have a school so they can be smart, just like people. With the help of some grown-up animals, they come up with a curriculum they believe will make a well-rounded animal: running, swimming, tree climbing, jumping, and flying. On the first day of school, little rabbit combed his ears, and he went hopping off to his running class. There he was a star. He ran to the top of the hill and back as fast as he coul

I heart my job I am celebrating 4 years in this role with TeamMates.  Almost 15 years ago, I became a mentor in Geneva Public Schools.  After that, I helped start and coordinate our chapter in Hebron, later serving on the board of directors.  My favorite role with TeamMates though, is that of a mom.  Observing the relationship build between Lauren (now a senior in high school!) and Ellie (who is 80 years young) is one of the most heartwarming and reassuring experiences I've had as a parent. I love my work.  The passion for my organization is evident, but there is much behind it.  It is a joy to bring people together, especially when you know lives are going to be changed because of a simple concept:  show up, listen, and encourage the good.  That's all.  It's that simple.  The mentoring relationship empowers both mentor and mentee to experience that:  learning and growing together. I'm also honored to be part of making a difference and people doing what they say

The How of Hope I'm so lucky to work with the incredible Gallup team, including the ever-inspiring Dr. Shane Lopez.  Shane is a Senior Scientist and Research Director for Gallup.  If you aren't familiar with Gallup strengths, GET IN TOUCH WITH ME because believe me, it is life-changing. (Remembering this day still has me smiling  http://allyology.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-moment.html ) Shane's research and life work is dedicated to discovering the science behind hope and well-being.  His book will soon be released, and I am patiently awaiting for my pre-ordered copy to arrive.   Order yours! “Shane Lopez, the world’s preeminent expert on hope, shares his expertise and wisdom on what hope is, how to create more of it in your life, and how to teach it to others, with the aim of meeting your goals, leading a happier, more flourishing life, and making the world a better place.” (Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of  The How of Happiness  ) I love the word hope, I sincerely know i

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 How to Bridge the Generational Hope Divide Shane J. Lopez , Gallup Senior Scientist Almost all   fifth- through 12th-graders  -- 95% -- say it is likely they will have a better life than their parents. However, in a separate Gallup poll,  half  of U.S. adults  aged 18 and older say they doubt today's youth will have a better life than their parents. This hope divide might limit the support that adults are willing to give children to help them reach their full potential. Undoubtedly, some adults will be tempted to explain to children that there are economic and political circumstances in the world that children can’t understand -- ones that make their future look less rosy. Adults might even point out that many children are fantasizing about a future that is out of their reach. These cautions are grounded in some wisdom, but they also might be associated with the pessimism adults have about our own future, our personal vulnerabilities, or our prof