Achievement doesn’t happen overnight. Like a tree, it has roots. And it’s the strength and depth of the roots that determines how high the tree will grow. In education and workforce development, the same concept holds true: the young people who succeed are most often those who have a strong foundation—a root system, if you… Read more »
The Roots of Achievement, Part 1: Academics
A successful education and career path is like a tree. We see and admire the sturdy trunk, the spreading branches, the luxuriant canopy of leaves, and the delicious fruit. What we don’t see is everything that has taken place below the surface to grow the tree to its present size and strength. To enable the… Read more »
A Year Later, I’m Still Answering Why
Today, it has been one year since Answering Why was released. Since its publication, it has attained bestseller status and has won seven national book awards. I’ve done countless book signings at keynotes and presentations around the country. Multitudes of positive reviews have come in and continue to be shared as people get their hands… Read more »
Delivering the Big Picture in Education and Employment
People don’t know what they don’t know—and that’s especially true of the people in today’s younger generations when it comes to education and careers. It’s not their fault; it’s just that no one has told them about the possibilities out there today. Many don’t know where their education can lead or what it means beyond… Read more »
“Because I Said So” Doesn’t Work Anymore. Here’s Why
Have you ever had the “because-I-said-so” exchange with someone? Whether you’re the person saying or hearing this line, it signals frustration and a desire to close the conversation. It makes the speaker’s authority the sole reason for compliance. That used to be enough, but not anymore. Today, young people want to dig deeper for a… Read more »
Founder’s Perspective: The Skill of How to Learn
The 2019–20 school year is upon us, and it’s a busy time. Everyone is prepping and planning and putting together the framework of the coming year. Amidst the busyness, it can be hard to think past next week. And yet the reality is that what we are teaching young people today will have an impact… Read more »
TFS Founder’s Perspective: We Should Be Making Students Career Ready, Period.
“College and Career Ready.” It’s a great promise. It inspires confidence. It makes me want to get behind the organizations that are delivering this for students. But are we really living up to what it means? According to the College & Career Readiness & Success Center, “College and career ready means that students graduate from… Read more »
Graduates, Build Your Dream — Not Someone Else’s
Hello graduates—or soon-to-be graduates! You’ve accomplished so much and you should be proud. There are so many great things waiting for you. So are you ready to live the dream? Living the dream—it sounds great. But what dream am I talking about? It’s whatever your dream happens to be. It can mean whatever you want… Read more »
When the Branch Creaks: How Crisis Moments Create Positive Change
If you’ve ever heard me speak or read my book, you’re probably familiar with my branch-creak story and the metaphor it created. Long story short: I loved climbing trees as a child, but there was one day this fun hobby almost didn’t love me back. I was high up in an old oak, enjoying the… Read more »
Education with Purpose: A Paradigm Shift
Direction. Confidence. Marketable skills. Passion. All of these things are essential ingredients in a person’s lifelong success—and it’s the laudable goal of most educators in America to teach these attributes alongside their academic subjects. We want to help shape the next generation of intelligent, productive citizens who graduate with a bright future ahead. There’s no… Read more »
