Strength Based Mentoring

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 conduct...

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...

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 ...

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 ho...

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 vulnerab...