Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Instructional leadership and methods principals use to exhibit and harness that leadership to meet their school goals. In particular,the focus on the following goals:
• Building and sustaining a school vision
• Sharing leadership
• Leading a learning community
• Using data to make instructional decisions
• Monitoring curriculum and instruction
Evaluating teachers is addressed in more depth in Chapter 4. Existing research related to the role of the principal and monitoring curriculum and instruction indicates the following:
- Effective principals possess knowledge of the curriculum and good instructional practices (Cotton, 2003) and, subsequently, focus their attention in their schools on curriculum and instruction (Mazzeo, 2003).
- Effective principals monitor the implementation of curriculum standards and make sure they are taught (Schmoker, 2006).
- Effective principals model behaviors that they expect of school staff (Marzano et al., 2005).
- Principals are in a good position to support teacher effectiveness through observations and conversations with teachers (Cooper et al., 2005).
- Principals need to spend time in classrooms in order to effectively monitor and encourage curriculum implementation and quality instructional practices (Fink & Resnick, 2001; Pajak & McAfee, 1992; Ruebling et al., 2004).
- Teachers and principals feel it is important to have someone to steer the curriculum and prioritize staff development (Portin et al., 2003).
- Teachers too frequently view classroom observations as a means to satisfy contractual obligations rather than as a vehicle for improvement and professional growth (Cooper et al., 2005).
- In effective schools, principals are able to judge the quality of teaching and share a deep knowledge of instruction with teachers (Fink & Resnick, 2001).
- An effective leader promotes coherence in the instructional program where teachers and students follow a common curriculum framework (Leithwood & Riehl, 2003).
- Effective principals trust teachers to implement instruction effectively, but they also monitor instruction with frequent classroom visits to verify the results (Portin et al., 2003).
A Final Word on the Power of Positive Instructional Leadership
Nothing in the principal's role is more important for ensuring successful student learning than effective instructional leadership. School principals who focus on a vision for their schools nurture the leadership capabilities of their teachers. Additionally, if their schools are moving in the right direction, they model effective leading and learning. Combining these efforts with using data appropriately, as well as monitoring what takes place at the classroom level, will increase the likelihood that schools will achieve their goals for student learning.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TOMORROW
Smylie and Conyers (1991) conclude that teaching has become a "complex, dynamic, interactive, intellectual activity . . . (not a practice that can be) prescribed or standardized" ( p. 13). In order to meet the rapidly changing needs of our students, teachers must be given the authority to make appropriate instructional decisions. They are the instructional experts. Therefore, the basis for school leadership must include teachers (and parents), as well as the principal, in the role of problem finding and problem identification, a process currently referred to as transformational leadership. Principals, then, become the leaders of leaders: those who encourage and develop instructional leadership in teachers. According to Cooper (1989), this "mode of instructional leadership provides for learning and working with others - teachers, students and parents - to improve instructional quality" (p. 16). This becomes the basis for shared instructional leadership.This restructuring requires a different view of leadership. School goals would be based on problems identified by teachers and parents - not on a principal's personal vision nor one of the central office. There would be a greater emphasis on problem finding and goal setting by staff and community. Problem solving would be a collaborative activity. Collegiality, experimentation, teacher reflection, and school-based staff development become important issues. Rather than being the source of all knowledge, the principal's role would be to tap the expertise and leadership of teachers. The idea that one model of school leadership or one model of classroom instruction is appropriate for all schools is incompatible with this form of school-based restructuring and improvement. It becomes apparent that school leaders will require a greater tolerance for ambiguity then ever before.
The principal becomes a key player. Even if this approach is collaborative in nature, the leadership taken by the principal is pivotal. Therefore, there is much the principal must know and do in order to become an effective instructional leader
The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already.
John Buchan
John Buchan
The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!
Lao-Tsu
Lao-Tsu
Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Harold R. McAlindon
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Harold R. McAlindon
If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulder of giants.
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.
Everett Dirksen
Everett Dirksen
Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.
Eric Hoffer
Eric Hoffer
The price of greatness is responsibility.
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?
Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli
Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on.
Walter Lippman
Walter Lippman
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody.
Herbert B. Swope
Herbert B. Swope
High sentiments always win in the end, The leaders who offer blood, toil, tears and sweat always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time. When it comes to the pinch, human beings are heroic.
George Orwell
George Orwell
The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
Kenneth Blanchard
Kenneth Blanchard
Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.Theodore M. Hesburgh
I think leadership comes from integrity – that you do whatever you ask others to do.I think there are non-obvious ways to lead. Just by providing a good example as a parent, a friend, a neighbor makes it possible for other people to see better ways to do things. Leadership does not need to be a dramatic, fist in the air and trumpets blaring, activity.
Scott Berkun
Scott Berkun
The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say “I.” And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say “I.” They don’t think “I.” They think “we”; they think “team.” They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don’t sidestep it, but “we” gets the credit….This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.
Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates
It is impossible to imagine anything which better becomes a ruler than mercy.
Seneca
Seneca
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Thursday, March 1, 2012
1980: Instructional Leadership emerged from effective schools studies
1. Directive approach by principal
2. Emphasized “the leader’s” vision
3. Often evident in turn-around situations where major change was needed quickly
4. Principal is “hip-deep” in curriculum and teaching
5. Focused on 1st Order Change – direct effects of the leader on teaching and learning in classrooms
2. Emphasized “the leader’s” vision
3. Often evident in turn-around situations where major change was needed quickly
4. Principal is “hip-deep” in curriculum and teaching
5. Focused on 1st Order Change – direct effects of the leader on teaching and learning in classrooms
From the Movie – The Man of La Mancha
I come into a world of iron, to make a world of gold.
You spoke of the dream and of the quest,
How you must fight, and how it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, if only you follow the quest. What is the quest?
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run where the brave dare not go.
To right the unrightable wrong,
To love pure and chaste from afar,
To try when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star.
To try though you’re way worn and weary,
Though you know it’s impossibly high,
To live with your heart climbing upward,
To reach the unreachable star.
You spoke of the dream and of the quest,
How you must fight, and how it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, if only you follow the quest. What is the quest?
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run where the brave dare not go.
To right the unrightable wrong,
To love pure and chaste from afar,
To try when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star.
To try though you’re way worn and weary,
Though you know it’s impossibly high,
To live with your heart climbing upward,
To reach the unreachable star.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
The role of school leadership
The role of school leadership in attracting and retaining teachers and promoting innovative schools and students.
Bill Mulford
Professor and Director
Leadership for Learning Research Group
Faculty of Education
University of Tasmania
2003
Bill Mulford
Professor and Director
Leadership for Learning Research Group
Faculty of Education
University of Tasmania
2003
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Qualities of a good teacher
Empathy
You have the ability to bond with your students, to understand and resonate with their feelings and emotions. To communicate on their level. To be compassionate with them when they are down and to celebrate with them when they are up.
Positive Mental Attitude
You are able to think more on the positive and a little less on the negative. To keep a smile on your face when things get tough. To see the bright side of things. To seek to find the positives in every negative situation. To be philosophical.
Open to Change
You are able to acknowledge that the only real constant in life is change. You know there is a place for tradition but there is also a place for new ways, new ideas, new systems, and new approaches. You don't put obstacles in your way by being blinkered and are always open and willing to listen to others' ideas.
Role Model
You are the window through which many young people will see their future. Be a fine role model.
Creative
You are able to motivate your students by using creative and inspirational methods of teaching. You are different in your approach and that makes you stand out from the crowd. Hence the reason why students enjoy your classes and seek you out for new ideas.
Sense of Humour
You know that a great sense of humour reduces barriers and lightens the atmosphere especially during heavy periods. An ability to make your students laugh will carry you far and gain you more respect. It also increases your popularity.
Presentation Skills
You know that your students are visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. You are adept at creating presentation styles for all three. Your body language is your main communicator and you keep it positive at all times. Like a great orator you are passionate when you speak. But at the same time you know that discussion and not lecturing stimulates greater feedback.
Calmness
You know that the aggression, negative attitudes and behaviours that you see in some of your students have a root cause. You know that they are really scared young people who have come through some bad experiences in life. This keeps you calm and in control of you, of them and the situation. You are good at helping your students de-stress.
Respectful
You know that no one is more important in the world than anyone else. You know that everyone has a place in the world. You respect your peers and your students. Having that respect for others gets you the respect back from others.
Inspirational
You know that you can change a young person's life by helping them to realise their potential, helping them to grow, helping them to find their talents, skills and abilities.
Passion
You are passionate about what you do. Teaching young people is your true vocation in life. Your purpose in life is to make a difference.
Process Oriented
You are able to set practical, achievable and trackable goals for your students. You value the use of structure in what you do.
Willing to Learn
You are willing to learn from other teachers AND your students. Although knowledgeable in your subject you know that you never stop learning.
Acknowledge the best to teach and learn
You know that students learn best when they are involved in the experience. You know that talking with them rather than at them produces the best results.
Lean on Me
You have the ability to bond with your students, to understand and resonate with their feelings and emotions. To communicate on their level. To be compassionate with them when they are down and to celebrate with them when they are up.
Positive Mental Attitude
You are able to think more on the positive and a little less on the negative. To keep a smile on your face when things get tough. To see the bright side of things. To seek to find the positives in every negative situation. To be philosophical.
Open to Change
You are able to acknowledge that the only real constant in life is change. You know there is a place for tradition but there is also a place for new ways, new ideas, new systems, and new approaches. You don't put obstacles in your way by being blinkered and are always open and willing to listen to others' ideas.
Role Model
You are the window through which many young people will see their future. Be a fine role model.
Creative
You are able to motivate your students by using creative and inspirational methods of teaching. You are different in your approach and that makes you stand out from the crowd. Hence the reason why students enjoy your classes and seek you out for new ideas.
Sense of Humour
You know that a great sense of humour reduces barriers and lightens the atmosphere especially during heavy periods. An ability to make your students laugh will carry you far and gain you more respect. It also increases your popularity.
Presentation Skills
You know that your students are visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. You are adept at creating presentation styles for all three. Your body language is your main communicator and you keep it positive at all times. Like a great orator you are passionate when you speak. But at the same time you know that discussion and not lecturing stimulates greater feedback.
Calmness
You know that the aggression, negative attitudes and behaviours that you see in some of your students have a root cause. You know that they are really scared young people who have come through some bad experiences in life. This keeps you calm and in control of you, of them and the situation. You are good at helping your students de-stress.
Respectful
You know that no one is more important in the world than anyone else. You know that everyone has a place in the world. You respect your peers and your students. Having that respect for others gets you the respect back from others.
Inspirational
You know that you can change a young person's life by helping them to realise their potential, helping them to grow, helping them to find their talents, skills and abilities.
Passion
You are passionate about what you do. Teaching young people is your true vocation in life. Your purpose in life is to make a difference.
Process Oriented
You are able to set practical, achievable and trackable goals for your students. You value the use of structure in what you do.
Willing to Learn
You are willing to learn from other teachers AND your students. Although knowledgeable in your subject you know that you never stop learning.
Acknowledge the best to teach and learn
You know that students learn best when they are involved in the experience. You know that talking with them rather than at them produces the best results.
Lean on Me
5 Paths to Happiness
The purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness. But you sometimes lose your way and end up going in the wrong direction. When that happens, how do you change your life to make it better?
Happiness is an inside job. Before you change anything else in your life, have a look at yourself. If you don’t change who you are, any external changes you make will feel nice temporarily, but then you’ll go back to feeling the way you did before.
Here are the five points that will help you change your life:
1. Get ready for change.
2. Identify what you need to change.
3. Let go of old habits to make room for change.
4. Learn new coping skills.
5. Incorporate the changes into your life.
Get ready for change
Don’t be afraid to look at yourself. You may be worried that you will find something you don’t like. Everyone has a few dark corners in their character. That’s normal, and shouldn’t be an obstacle to change.
Start with your easiest issues and you will gradually make changes in the rest. Everything is connected. Look at your deepest issues only when you are ready.
Take small steps. Don’t take an all-or-nothing approach to change and sabotage yourself before you start. Decide ahead of time to make small changes, and you will make progress.
When you take an all-or-nothing approach, you don’t have the energy to make big changes, and you don’t see the significance of small changes, so you will feel stuck. There are only a few things you probably need to change in order to make a big improvement in your life.
Identify what you need to change
Stress and negative thinking are the most common things people need to change. Examples of stress include fears, resentments, dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future. Examples of negative thinking include all-or-nothing thinking and disqualifying the positives.
Do you think that things have to be perfect, and anything less is a failure? Do you focus on the few negatives in your life and ignore the many positives? These factors lead to most unhappiness. In severe cases they can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction.
How all-or-nothing thinking leads to problems: “I have to do things perfectly because anything less is a failure.” This is the most common type of negative thinking, and the main cause of anxiety, depression, and addiction.
All-or-nothing thinking leads to anxiety because you’re worried that any mistake can expose you to criticism. You’re always second-guessing yourself, and you don’t give yourself permission to let your guard down.
It can lead to depression because when you think you have to be perfect, you feel trapped by your own high standards. That can be so exhausting that it depletes your mental and emotional resources leading to depression. All-or-nothing thinking can also lead to addiction because anxiety or depression feels so uncomfortable that you may turn to drugs or alcohol to escape.
Make room for change
The most overlooked part of change is making room for change. This is the missing piece in most self-help plans, and the reason why most people fail. They focus on why they are unhappy, thinking that alone will lead to change. They spend most of their effort trying to understand their issues. But this is just one part of change.
You also have to let go of old habits so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes. Have you ever asked yourself, “How could I be so smart but do such dumb things?” That’s what happens when you try to change without making room for change.
When you’re tense, you tend to do what’s familiar and wrong instead of what’s new and right. Stress is an obstacle to change because when you are tense, your ego and fears get in the way. Change isn’t just about what you learn, it’s also about what you let go.
Think of it this way. There are many coping skills you need to be happy. If you learn them all but don’t learn how to relax, you will still find it hard to change, because when you’re tense you will continue to repeat what’s familiar and wrong.
On the other hand, if you learn only one new coping skill—how to relax—you’ll still be happier, because everything is easier when you’re relaxed. If there is anything else you need to change, you’ll see it more easily and deal with it more effectively when you’re more relaxed.
Learn new coping skills
The three coping skills most people need to learn are these:
• How to reduce stress and relax
• How to stop dwelling on the negatives and disqualifying the positives
• How to take better care of oneself
Stress management is important because it helps you reduce the anxieties, fears, and resentments that lead to unhappiness and are obstacles to change. It helps you live in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
In the moment is where you feel happiest and content. It’s hard to feel happy when you’re dwelling on the past. You replay events from the past and dwell on what happened and how it upset you. Stress management helps you let go of the past so that you can enjoy the moment.
Relaxation is more than just a way to relax. It is a way to change your life. You relax by letting go of the stress and negative thinking that lead to unhappiness, and in doing so you improve your life. This is what makes relaxation a coping skill for change.
There are a variety of relaxation techniques to choose from. They range from breathing techniques to yoga and meditation. They all help you let go of tension and be in the moment.
Cognitive therapy is the most commonly used technique for changing your thinking. The main idea behind cognitive therapy is that your thinking determines your mood. Your mood is not determined by external factors, but how you interpret external factors.
If, for example, you interpret your experiences in a negative way, you will feel negative. The opposite is also true. If you take time to appreciate the positives in your life and don’t disqualify them, you can improve your mood. If you change your thinking, you will change your life.
Stress management also teaches you how to take better care of yourself. You practice putting time aside to relax, which is an act of self-care. You are saying that you are worth taking time for, which improves your self-esteem.
Incorporate the changes into your life
All change is difficult, even good change. You have repeated your old habits thousands of times. You will have to repeat your new habits a few hundred times before they start to feel comfortable.
Both stress management and cognitive therapy can help here. You practice being relaxed and happy in stress management so that you can incorporate these qualities into your life. You practice a healthier way of thinking in cognitive therapy so that it can become your new automatic response.
Mind-body relaxation and cognitive therapy serve the purpose of life. Combined, they help you overcome most of the problems you are likely to face. They help you identify what makes you unhappy, let it go, and replace it with something better. They transform your life.
Happiness is an inside job. Before you change anything else in your life, have a look at yourself. If you don’t change who you are, any external changes you make will feel nice temporarily, but then you’ll go back to feeling the way you did before.
Here are the five points that will help you change your life:
1. Get ready for change.
2. Identify what you need to change.
3. Let go of old habits to make room for change.
4. Learn new coping skills.
5. Incorporate the changes into your life.
Get ready for change
Don’t be afraid to look at yourself. You may be worried that you will find something you don’t like. Everyone has a few dark corners in their character. That’s normal, and shouldn’t be an obstacle to change.
Start with your easiest issues and you will gradually make changes in the rest. Everything is connected. Look at your deepest issues only when you are ready.
Take small steps. Don’t take an all-or-nothing approach to change and sabotage yourself before you start. Decide ahead of time to make small changes, and you will make progress.
When you take an all-or-nothing approach, you don’t have the energy to make big changes, and you don’t see the significance of small changes, so you will feel stuck. There are only a few things you probably need to change in order to make a big improvement in your life.
Identify what you need to change
Stress and negative thinking are the most common things people need to change. Examples of stress include fears, resentments, dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future. Examples of negative thinking include all-or-nothing thinking and disqualifying the positives.
Do you think that things have to be perfect, and anything less is a failure? Do you focus on the few negatives in your life and ignore the many positives? These factors lead to most unhappiness. In severe cases they can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction.
How all-or-nothing thinking leads to problems: “I have to do things perfectly because anything less is a failure.” This is the most common type of negative thinking, and the main cause of anxiety, depression, and addiction.
All-or-nothing thinking leads to anxiety because you’re worried that any mistake can expose you to criticism. You’re always second-guessing yourself, and you don’t give yourself permission to let your guard down.
It can lead to depression because when you think you have to be perfect, you feel trapped by your own high standards. That can be so exhausting that it depletes your mental and emotional resources leading to depression. All-or-nothing thinking can also lead to addiction because anxiety or depression feels so uncomfortable that you may turn to drugs or alcohol to escape.
Make room for change
The most overlooked part of change is making room for change. This is the missing piece in most self-help plans, and the reason why most people fail. They focus on why they are unhappy, thinking that alone will lead to change. They spend most of their effort trying to understand their issues. But this is just one part of change.
You also have to let go of old habits so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes. Have you ever asked yourself, “How could I be so smart but do such dumb things?” That’s what happens when you try to change without making room for change.
When you’re tense, you tend to do what’s familiar and wrong instead of what’s new and right. Stress is an obstacle to change because when you are tense, your ego and fears get in the way. Change isn’t just about what you learn, it’s also about what you let go.
Think of it this way. There are many coping skills you need to be happy. If you learn them all but don’t learn how to relax, you will still find it hard to change, because when you’re tense you will continue to repeat what’s familiar and wrong.
On the other hand, if you learn only one new coping skill—how to relax—you’ll still be happier, because everything is easier when you’re relaxed. If there is anything else you need to change, you’ll see it more easily and deal with it more effectively when you’re more relaxed.
Learn new coping skills
The three coping skills most people need to learn are these:
• How to reduce stress and relax
• How to stop dwelling on the negatives and disqualifying the positives
• How to take better care of oneself
Stress management is important because it helps you reduce the anxieties, fears, and resentments that lead to unhappiness and are obstacles to change. It helps you live in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
In the moment is where you feel happiest and content. It’s hard to feel happy when you’re dwelling on the past. You replay events from the past and dwell on what happened and how it upset you. Stress management helps you let go of the past so that you can enjoy the moment.
Relaxation is more than just a way to relax. It is a way to change your life. You relax by letting go of the stress and negative thinking that lead to unhappiness, and in doing so you improve your life. This is what makes relaxation a coping skill for change.
There are a variety of relaxation techniques to choose from. They range from breathing techniques to yoga and meditation. They all help you let go of tension and be in the moment.
Cognitive therapy is the most commonly used technique for changing your thinking. The main idea behind cognitive therapy is that your thinking determines your mood. Your mood is not determined by external factors, but how you interpret external factors.
If, for example, you interpret your experiences in a negative way, you will feel negative. The opposite is also true. If you take time to appreciate the positives in your life and don’t disqualify them, you can improve your mood. If you change your thinking, you will change your life.
Stress management also teaches you how to take better care of yourself. You practice putting time aside to relax, which is an act of self-care. You are saying that you are worth taking time for, which improves your self-esteem.
Incorporate the changes into your life
All change is difficult, even good change. You have repeated your old habits thousands of times. You will have to repeat your new habits a few hundred times before they start to feel comfortable.
Both stress management and cognitive therapy can help here. You practice being relaxed and happy in stress management so that you can incorporate these qualities into your life. You practice a healthier way of thinking in cognitive therapy so that it can become your new automatic response.
Mind-body relaxation and cognitive therapy serve the purpose of life. Combined, they help you overcome most of the problems you are likely to face. They help you identify what makes you unhappy, let it go, and replace it with something better. They transform your life.
What Makes A Good Leader
Is Accountable.
When something goes wrong great leaders step up and acknowledge their part in it and don't fall into the trap of trying to shift blame elsewhere. They'll focus on fixing the problem not fixing blame
Refuses To Gossip.
The best leaders are loyal to those who aren't there and doesn't engage in workplace gossip. No matter how well justified or frustrated they may feel - Ever!
Grows Their People.
They build teams of superstars by being exceptional delegators who delegate challenging work that builds people and gets results. They make sure that their people are regularly being challenged to grow and step ever more into their potential.
Has An Open Office.
What makes a good leader are those people who make it easy for their people to interact with them. Great leaders aren't into the power trip of having to have an office where others must come to them. They understand that having open plan offices enables them to be in the hub with their finger on the pulse ... providing far better results in terms of communication and camaraderie.
Engages And Energizes.
The very best of leaders help people to see that what they do makes a difference. They put into place the structures, systems and principles that enable people to feel challenged by what they do, a sense of ownership in their part of the process and they regularly make use of their innate talents and strengths.
Is At The Leading Edge.
One of my favorite sayings is "if you aren't growing then neither are your people" (and you can quote me on that ~wink~). A high performance leader says relevant by making sure they are at the leading-edge in terms of leadership skills, interpersonal skills and knowledge in their organization's field of expertise. Join our community of leading-edge breakthrough leaders over at the Align-Lead-Inspire Club - there you will find all the tools and resources you need to set your success on fire.
Acts From A Place Of Alignment.
For me, this is ultimately what makes a good leader. A leader who takes the time to align with their source energy (whether you call it God, Universe or some other name) and is focused upon only taking action from a space of love and feeling good. A leader who listen to their inner voice - will always be guided to take the right action.
When something goes wrong great leaders step up and acknowledge their part in it and don't fall into the trap of trying to shift blame elsewhere. They'll focus on fixing the problem not fixing blame
Refuses To Gossip.
The best leaders are loyal to those who aren't there and doesn't engage in workplace gossip. No matter how well justified or frustrated they may feel - Ever!
Grows Their People.
They build teams of superstars by being exceptional delegators who delegate challenging work that builds people and gets results. They make sure that their people are regularly being challenged to grow and step ever more into their potential.
Has An Open Office.
What makes a good leader are those people who make it easy for their people to interact with them. Great leaders aren't into the power trip of having to have an office where others must come to them. They understand that having open plan offices enables them to be in the hub with their finger on the pulse ... providing far better results in terms of communication and camaraderie.
Engages And Energizes.
The very best of leaders help people to see that what they do makes a difference. They put into place the structures, systems and principles that enable people to feel challenged by what they do, a sense of ownership in their part of the process and they regularly make use of their innate talents and strengths.
Is At The Leading Edge.
One of my favorite sayings is "if you aren't growing then neither are your people" (and you can quote me on that ~wink~). A high performance leader says relevant by making sure they are at the leading-edge in terms of leadership skills, interpersonal skills and knowledge in their organization's field of expertise. Join our community of leading-edge breakthrough leaders over at the Align-Lead-Inspire Club - there you will find all the tools and resources you need to set your success on fire.
Acts From A Place Of Alignment.
For me, this is ultimately what makes a good leader. A leader who takes the time to align with their source energy (whether you call it God, Universe or some other name) and is focused upon only taking action from a space of love and feeling good. A leader who listen to their inner voice - will always be guided to take the right action.
THE BROKER TOOL KIT: BECOMING A LEADER
Developing Leadership Skills
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Leaders are both born and made. See if you have what it takes to be a manager, and what you can do to improve the skills you already have.
10 Qualities of a Leader—and How to Acquire Them
Managers don't become leaders overnight. Even “born” leaders don’t start out possessing all these skills. To be a strong leader, you need to:
1. Have vision. Leaders have a clear sense of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. They see the big picture, then create a strategic plan for achieving their goals.
Learn how to develop your vision : Befriend top business leaders in your community (not necessarily just those in real estate), read new and classic business books and great leaders’ biographies, and formulate a mission statement for your company. Sites for top business books include: BestBookBuys and Two-Day.com.
2. Make decisions. Leaders aren’t afraid to make difficult or unpopular decisions because they have confidence in themselves and in their abilities. They know that indecision wastes resources and opportunities.
Learn to hone your decision-making skills : Practice making decisions in areas where failure isn’t critical to increase your confidence. If a decision turns out to be wrong, learn from it and move on.
3. Take risks. Leaders have the courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. They're willing to risk failure.
Learn how to take risks: Analyze the situation, listing pros and cons for each option, then assign each choice a risk factor rating from 1 to 5. Next determine the likelihood that each outcome will occur. This will help you determine how much risk you want to take.
TIP: Don't expect perfection. No one wins all the time. Leaders grow by making mistakes.
4. Motivate others. Leaders can articulate their vision and ideals to others, convincing them of the value of their ideas. They can inspire people to work toward common goals and to achieve things they never thought they could do.
Learn how to motivate people: Explore the different needs that motivate people and recognize that the same rewards don’t motivate everyone. Listen carefully to others to learn what motivates them.
TIP: Motivate employees by making sure they understand how their work contributes to a larger goal.
5. Build teams. Leaders create productive teams that draw the best from people. They effectively coach teams in collaboration, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
Learn how to improve your teambuilding skills : Avoid preconceived answers to every question. Concentrate on appreciating different points of view during discussions rather than just trying to prove your point. This same willingness to include others is the key to successful teambuilding.
6. Possess self-knowledge. Leaders know their own strengths and weaknesses and are able to view their behavior objectively. They recognize their shortcomings, open themselves to feedback, and are willing to make changes when necessary.
Learn how to expand your self-knowledge : Study yourself closely and practice self-assessment techniques to learn how you behave and the effects you have on others. Ask others for their opinions or criticisms and what you can do to become a better leader. Dr. Gerald Bell, business consultant and professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
TIP: Keep a journal of critical incidents; look back and learn what you did well and what you might have done better.
7. Display integrity. Leaders must be trustworthy before others will follow them. Warren Bennis, The Leadership Institute, University of Southern California, says qualities that establish trust are competence, constancy, caring, candor, and congruity, which he defines as authenticity, reliability, and feeling comfortable with oneself.
earn how to assess your integrity: Actively seek feedback from others friends, co-workers, and even employees to determine if your values and sense of responsibility coincide with those of your peer group.
8. Pursue lifelong learning. Leaders have a desire to continually learn and grow and are open to new ideas.
earn how to expand your knowledge: Maintain a broad focus. Look beyond your colleagues and your own industry for ideas and inspiration and read books on new management theories and ideas.
IP: Wise managers look for support staff or partners who complement their weaknesses.
9. Communicate effectively. Leaders can convey their ideas to diverse individuals and adjust their styles to meet the needs of the people they lead.
Learn how to improve communication skills : Practice communications skills such as active listening. Read between the lines during conversations, especially when dealing with subordinates who may be reluctant to say what they think. Restate important points in several ways or ask listeners to reiterate your point to you to ensure that your meaning is clear.
10. Help others succeed. Leaders empower others and go out of their way to help them achieve their full potential, thereby benefiting the organization.
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Leaders are both born and made. See if you have what it takes to be a manager, and what you can do to improve the skills you already have.
10 Qualities of a Leader—and How to Acquire Them
Managers don't become leaders overnight. Even “born” leaders don’t start out possessing all these skills. To be a strong leader, you need to:
1. Have vision. Leaders have a clear sense of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. They see the big picture, then create a strategic plan for achieving their goals.
Learn how to develop your vision : Befriend top business leaders in your community (not necessarily just those in real estate), read new and classic business books and great leaders’ biographies, and formulate a mission statement for your company. Sites for top business books include: BestBookBuys and Two-Day.com.
2. Make decisions. Leaders aren’t afraid to make difficult or unpopular decisions because they have confidence in themselves and in their abilities. They know that indecision wastes resources and opportunities.
Learn to hone your decision-making skills : Practice making decisions in areas where failure isn’t critical to increase your confidence. If a decision turns out to be wrong, learn from it and move on.
3. Take risks. Leaders have the courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. They're willing to risk failure.
Learn how to take risks: Analyze the situation, listing pros and cons for each option, then assign each choice a risk factor rating from 1 to 5. Next determine the likelihood that each outcome will occur. This will help you determine how much risk you want to take.
TIP: Don't expect perfection. No one wins all the time. Leaders grow by making mistakes.
4. Motivate others. Leaders can articulate their vision and ideals to others, convincing them of the value of their ideas. They can inspire people to work toward common goals and to achieve things they never thought they could do.
Learn how to motivate people: Explore the different needs that motivate people and recognize that the same rewards don’t motivate everyone. Listen carefully to others to learn what motivates them.
TIP: Motivate employees by making sure they understand how their work contributes to a larger goal.
5. Build teams. Leaders create productive teams that draw the best from people. They effectively coach teams in collaboration, consensus building, and conflict resolution.
Learn how to improve your teambuilding skills : Avoid preconceived answers to every question. Concentrate on appreciating different points of view during discussions rather than just trying to prove your point. This same willingness to include others is the key to successful teambuilding.
6. Possess self-knowledge. Leaders know their own strengths and weaknesses and are able to view their behavior objectively. They recognize their shortcomings, open themselves to feedback, and are willing to make changes when necessary.
Learn how to expand your self-knowledge : Study yourself closely and practice self-assessment techniques to learn how you behave and the effects you have on others. Ask others for their opinions or criticisms and what you can do to become a better leader. Dr. Gerald Bell, business consultant and professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
TIP: Keep a journal of critical incidents; look back and learn what you did well and what you might have done better.
7. Display integrity. Leaders must be trustworthy before others will follow them. Warren Bennis, The Leadership Institute, University of Southern California, says qualities that establish trust are competence, constancy, caring, candor, and congruity, which he defines as authenticity, reliability, and feeling comfortable with oneself.
earn how to assess your integrity: Actively seek feedback from others friends, co-workers, and even employees to determine if your values and sense of responsibility coincide with those of your peer group.
8. Pursue lifelong learning. Leaders have a desire to continually learn and grow and are open to new ideas.
earn how to expand your knowledge: Maintain a broad focus. Look beyond your colleagues and your own industry for ideas and inspiration and read books on new management theories and ideas.
IP: Wise managers look for support staff or partners who complement their weaknesses.
9. Communicate effectively. Leaders can convey their ideas to diverse individuals and adjust their styles to meet the needs of the people they lead.
Learn how to improve communication skills : Practice communications skills such as active listening. Read between the lines during conversations, especially when dealing with subordinates who may be reluctant to say what they think. Restate important points in several ways or ask listeners to reiterate your point to you to ensure that your meaning is clear.
10. Help others succeed. Leaders empower others and go out of their way to help them achieve their full potential, thereby benefiting the organization.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
99 Ways to Become a Better Leader
Do you consider yourself as someone who’s “in charge?” Do you manage and motivate other people to accomplish a task or get work done, other than yourself? If so, you’re probably in some sort of managerial role.
But are you a leader? Believe it or not, there is a difference. Managers, well, manage people. They sort out what it is that has to be done, and then make sure the right people do it. Leaders, however, share a unique vision with people and supply the necessary values and skills to move people to really want to accomplish things; leaders touch people emotionally. If you consider yourself a leader, or are interested in becoming one, you must first understand that becoming a good leader is a process, one that never ends. Here’s a few tips (actually 99 of them) to guide you on your journey to becoming a better leader and manager.
Planning & Strategy
1. Understand what the core principles of being a leader are. It’s not about power, but rather about installing direction and influencing others to follow that direction.
2. Do you have the character traits to be a successful leader? If not, can you learn them?
3. There are different ways of managing people; Develop a leadership style.
4. As a leader or manager, you’re constantly soaking up information. Know how to properly collect that information.
5. Know how to use proper coordination between people and technology.
6. As you build your machine, know how to maintain it.
7. Constantly analyze progress.
8. Be prepared. Not every disaster will involve nature, but the process of preparation can be the same.
9. Use prevention methods, keeping filth out of not only your trash cans but out of your employees as well.
10. If a bomb does drop, be ready to recover from it and move on.
Team Building
11. Know how to hire good employees.
12. During the interview process, make sure to ask the right questions.
13. Compensate: know when and how much to pay your team.
14. Build trust; this has to work both ways (you trust your team and your team trusts you.)
15. Develop and communicate your vision so the team can help achieve goals.
16. Show commitment to those goals and ask the same from your staff.
17. Understand the core value of employee inclusion and it’s effects.
18. Interdependence – making sure your employees are sharing responsible principles.
19. Guide your team by being a strong influence, and let yourself be influenced by other leaders.
20. Control the climate or the feel of your organization.
Communication
21. Make sure you are aware of proper etiquette, especially amongst other business elite.
22. Ethics play a huge role in both the workplace as well as your company’s image in your industry.
23. Strong public speaking abilities will help you get the message across to larger groups.
24. Keep your employees up-to-date with things they need to know.
25. Don’t be shady with your team.
26. Be aware of not only your body language but everyone else’s as well.
27. Improve your listening skills.
28. Speak clearly and concisely.
29. Develop your ability to negotiate.
30. Make sure to keep your cool when dealing with difficult situations.
Build Trust & Confidence
31. First, be sure to really understand the definition of trust.
32. Try to believe in your team, and work extra hard to find the good in people.
33. Reduce your sense of competition, as well as the same within the company.
34. In order to accept new people, things, and ideas into your life, you’ll need to have an open mind.
35. Appear more creditable and real by allowing yourself to show a little vulnerability.
36. Be prepared to face your fears, because doing so will conserve your energy and empower you.
37. Know your strong points and when to use them.
38. Work hard to improve on your weak points and shortcomings.
39. Look at yourself in a different way.
40. Exude confidence and your charisma will draw people to you.
Time Management
41. Setting goals will help you focus on getting important things done first.
42. Have an action plan you can use to achieve those goals.
43. Stop procrastinating, and you’re attitude about work will change.
44. You can’t do it all yourself; know when and how to delegate work.
45. Get rid of any and all kinds of distractions while working.
46. Keep track of your life by writing things down.
47. Learn to say no; you’ll save lots of time focusing on the most important tasks.
48. Just like in college, you can’t party and study at the same time. Try to keep a schedule.
50. Know your bad habits (and how to break them).
Being Responsible
51. Show character by being responsible for your actions.
52. Be responsible for your name, brand, and company.
53. Make sure you practice what you preach.
54. As a responsible leader, you must always be aware of what you’re saying.
55. Create responsible employees, but also be responsible for their actions.
56. Assume responsibility, even if something is not your fault.
57. Take care of your health. If you don’t care for yourself, why would anyone think you care at all?
58. Teach responsibility to others, including your children.
59. Constantly work on building a strong team.
60. Showcase social responsibility.
Never Stop Learning
61. Continue to build your leadership skills by reading management and leadership books.
62. Subscribe to some of the many business and management magazines on the newsstand today.
63. Keep a leadership blog to document your learning.
64. Don’t feel ashamed to take some online leadership courses; it’s always good to brush up on things.
65. Attend management seminars.
66. Find yourself a mentor; their wisdom will prove to be priceless.
67. Hone your skills through community involvement.
68. Don’t be afraid to learn from your employees and associates.
69. Embrace new technology, for it will only help you grow smarter.
70. Understand and learn from yourself.
Become a role model
71. Maintain a positive attitude – always.
72. A great leader portrays strength before power.
73. Lead by example.
74. Demonstrate acts of chivalry.
75. Treat customers and coworkers with respect.
76. Be sure to dress for success.
77. Always encourage others; they will probably encourage you back.
78. Be calm and show patience in your efforts.
79. Know how to properly manage life’s disappointments, both inside and outside of work.
80. Value all life.
Know When to Be Real
81. Show your employees (and customers!) that you really do care about them.
82. Know that it’s okay to share your emotions from time to time.
83. Allow people to see your shortcomings.
84. Try not to sugarcoat things because you’re afraid of conflict.
85. Do not lie to your employees about what’s going on.
86. Times will come when you have to put your foot down and correct employees when they are wrong.
87. Be sure to look and learn from your employee’s vantage point.
88. Promote job “ownership”, even if it entails seeing the ups and downs of business.
89. For everybody’s sake, make sure you have a life outside of work.
90. Have fun at work! It will show..
Give Back
91. Make it a point for you and your business to donate to charity.
92. Or, start your own charity or benefit.
93. Help your employees learn and develop.
94. Good leadership means sharing your knowledge
95. Give raises to your team; just be mindful of how you do it.
96. Recognize good performances and award it.
97. Give your employees discounts and perks.
98. Use your skills and knowledge to write a book.
99. Reach out to youth and become a teacher.
But are you a leader? Believe it or not, there is a difference. Managers, well, manage people. They sort out what it is that has to be done, and then make sure the right people do it. Leaders, however, share a unique vision with people and supply the necessary values and skills to move people to really want to accomplish things; leaders touch people emotionally. If you consider yourself a leader, or are interested in becoming one, you must first understand that becoming a good leader is a process, one that never ends. Here’s a few tips (actually 99 of them) to guide you on your journey to becoming a better leader and manager.
Planning & Strategy
1. Understand what the core principles of being a leader are. It’s not about power, but rather about installing direction and influencing others to follow that direction.
2. Do you have the character traits to be a successful leader? If not, can you learn them?
3. There are different ways of managing people; Develop a leadership style.
4. As a leader or manager, you’re constantly soaking up information. Know how to properly collect that information.
5. Know how to use proper coordination between people and technology.
6. As you build your machine, know how to maintain it.
7. Constantly analyze progress.
8. Be prepared. Not every disaster will involve nature, but the process of preparation can be the same.
9. Use prevention methods, keeping filth out of not only your trash cans but out of your employees as well.
10. If a bomb does drop, be ready to recover from it and move on.
Team Building
11. Know how to hire good employees.
12. During the interview process, make sure to ask the right questions.
13. Compensate: know when and how much to pay your team.
14. Build trust; this has to work both ways (you trust your team and your team trusts you.)
15. Develop and communicate your vision so the team can help achieve goals.
16. Show commitment to those goals and ask the same from your staff.
17. Understand the core value of employee inclusion and it’s effects.
18. Interdependence – making sure your employees are sharing responsible principles.
19. Guide your team by being a strong influence, and let yourself be influenced by other leaders.
20. Control the climate or the feel of your organization.
Communication
21. Make sure you are aware of proper etiquette, especially amongst other business elite.
22. Ethics play a huge role in both the workplace as well as your company’s image in your industry.
23. Strong public speaking abilities will help you get the message across to larger groups.
24. Keep your employees up-to-date with things they need to know.
25. Don’t be shady with your team.
26. Be aware of not only your body language but everyone else’s as well.
27. Improve your listening skills.
28. Speak clearly and concisely.
29. Develop your ability to negotiate.
30. Make sure to keep your cool when dealing with difficult situations.
Build Trust & Confidence
31. First, be sure to really understand the definition of trust.
32. Try to believe in your team, and work extra hard to find the good in people.
33. Reduce your sense of competition, as well as the same within the company.
34. In order to accept new people, things, and ideas into your life, you’ll need to have an open mind.
35. Appear more creditable and real by allowing yourself to show a little vulnerability.
36. Be prepared to face your fears, because doing so will conserve your energy and empower you.
37. Know your strong points and when to use them.
38. Work hard to improve on your weak points and shortcomings.
39. Look at yourself in a different way.
40. Exude confidence and your charisma will draw people to you.
Time Management
41. Setting goals will help you focus on getting important things done first.
42. Have an action plan you can use to achieve those goals.
43. Stop procrastinating, and you’re attitude about work will change.
44. You can’t do it all yourself; know when and how to delegate work.
45. Get rid of any and all kinds of distractions while working.
46. Keep track of your life by writing things down.
47. Learn to say no; you’ll save lots of time focusing on the most important tasks.
48. Just like in college, you can’t party and study at the same time. Try to keep a schedule.
50. Know your bad habits (and how to break them).
Being Responsible
51. Show character by being responsible for your actions.
52. Be responsible for your name, brand, and company.
53. Make sure you practice what you preach.
54. As a responsible leader, you must always be aware of what you’re saying.
55. Create responsible employees, but also be responsible for their actions.
56. Assume responsibility, even if something is not your fault.
57. Take care of your health. If you don’t care for yourself, why would anyone think you care at all?
58. Teach responsibility to others, including your children.
59. Constantly work on building a strong team.
60. Showcase social responsibility.
Never Stop Learning
61. Continue to build your leadership skills by reading management and leadership books.
62. Subscribe to some of the many business and management magazines on the newsstand today.
63. Keep a leadership blog to document your learning.
64. Don’t feel ashamed to take some online leadership courses; it’s always good to brush up on things.
65. Attend management seminars.
66. Find yourself a mentor; their wisdom will prove to be priceless.
67. Hone your skills through community involvement.
68. Don’t be afraid to learn from your employees and associates.
69. Embrace new technology, for it will only help you grow smarter.
70. Understand and learn from yourself.
Become a role model
71. Maintain a positive attitude – always.
72. A great leader portrays strength before power.
73. Lead by example.
74. Demonstrate acts of chivalry.
75. Treat customers and coworkers with respect.
76. Be sure to dress for success.
77. Always encourage others; they will probably encourage you back.
78. Be calm and show patience in your efforts.
79. Know how to properly manage life’s disappointments, both inside and outside of work.
80. Value all life.
Know When to Be Real
81. Show your employees (and customers!) that you really do care about them.
82. Know that it’s okay to share your emotions from time to time.
83. Allow people to see your shortcomings.
84. Try not to sugarcoat things because you’re afraid of conflict.
85. Do not lie to your employees about what’s going on.
86. Times will come when you have to put your foot down and correct employees when they are wrong.
87. Be sure to look and learn from your employee’s vantage point.
88. Promote job “ownership”, even if it entails seeing the ups and downs of business.
89. For everybody’s sake, make sure you have a life outside of work.
90. Have fun at work! It will show..
Give Back
91. Make it a point for you and your business to donate to charity.
92. Or, start your own charity or benefit.
93. Help your employees learn and develop.
94. Good leadership means sharing your knowledge
95. Give raises to your team; just be mindful of how you do it.
96. Recognize good performances and award it.
97. Give your employees discounts and perks.
98. Use your skills and knowledge to write a book.
99. Reach out to youth and become a teacher.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
What Makes A Good Leader: 5 Vital Traits A Good Leader Must Possess
There might be a lot of leaders in your area, but there are only a few who know exactly what makes a good leader. As a leader, you're expected to bring you and your team to success. As a leader, your team looks up to you for guidance and support.
Wanting to know what makes a good leader is already the first step to achieving your goal. However, there is always room for improvement. Read on and find out how you can become a good leader.
1) Teamwork
A good leader might be the head of the organization or team, but he or she cannot function well without teamwork. Unfortunately, a lot of leaders let their position get into their heads. They move without consulting the rest of the team. What makes a good leader is a sense of teamwork. Although you might be the one calling the shots, you can't completely disregard the people you're responsible for.
2) Strength
Another important factor of what makes a good leader is strength. Whether it's strength in making a decision, or strength in overcoming challenges, a good leaders knows not to show weakness. A good leader doesn't cower from the enemy. He or she doesn't fear challenges or obstacles; but instead, he or she deals with them head -on.
3) Good Example
A good leader sets a good example for his or her subordinates. If you're very particular about tardiness, then you have to make sure that you're always on time, if not earlier than the others. If you have strong feelings against cheating, then you yourself should not be tempted to cheat. Set a good example for the people in your team. Actions speak louder than words.
4) Responsibility
A good leader takes responsibility. He or she doesn't try to figure out a way to escape the mess that might have been created. Instead, a good leader faces the issue and deals with the problems as they come. Being responsible also means avoiding disaster and making the right decisions.Keep in mind that you're accountable for the rest of your team.
5) Quick Thinking
Quick thinking is an essential leadership skill. Most of the time, this is what saves the day. A good leader must know how to act swiftly and must encourage quick thinking among his or her people. The success of a group has a lot to do with both the leader and the team. It's never just about one person only. As long as you remember what your goal is, you'll be alright. And these additional tips on what makes a good leader will only help you become a better person.
Wanting to know what makes a good leader is already the first step to achieving your goal. However, there is always room for improvement. Read on and find out how you can become a good leader.
1) Teamwork
A good leader might be the head of the organization or team, but he or she cannot function well without teamwork. Unfortunately, a lot of leaders let their position get into their heads. They move without consulting the rest of the team. What makes a good leader is a sense of teamwork. Although you might be the one calling the shots, you can't completely disregard the people you're responsible for.
2) Strength
Another important factor of what makes a good leader is strength. Whether it's strength in making a decision, or strength in overcoming challenges, a good leaders knows not to show weakness. A good leader doesn't cower from the enemy. He or she doesn't fear challenges or obstacles; but instead, he or she deals with them head -on.
3) Good Example
A good leader sets a good example for his or her subordinates. If you're very particular about tardiness, then you have to make sure that you're always on time, if not earlier than the others. If you have strong feelings against cheating, then you yourself should not be tempted to cheat. Set a good example for the people in your team. Actions speak louder than words.
4) Responsibility
A good leader takes responsibility. He or she doesn't try to figure out a way to escape the mess that might have been created. Instead, a good leader faces the issue and deals with the problems as they come. Being responsible also means avoiding disaster and making the right decisions.Keep in mind that you're accountable for the rest of your team.
5) Quick Thinking
Quick thinking is an essential leadership skill. Most of the time, this is what saves the day. A good leader must know how to act swiftly and must encourage quick thinking among his or her people. The success of a group has a lot to do with both the leader and the team. It's never just about one person only. As long as you remember what your goal is, you'll be alright. And these additional tips on what makes a good leader will only help you become a better person.
make a great teacher:
As the school year comes to a close, I’d like to reverse roles a bit and offer some advice to teachers. This year, I had one of my best teachers ever (no offense to any former teachers reading this) as my math teacher. This was an incredibly challenging course, yet he was able to make it very fun, engaging, and passable. The area where he excelled the most was in making math interesting and connected to the rest of the world. Seriously, some nights I would look forward to doing my math homework as I struggled through ridiculous grammar exercises.
#1 Passion
Without this, it is impossible to become a great teacher. If you don’t love your subject, how can you expect your students to? I don’t think this is an issue for most teachers. Still, it is always important to emphasize. Sure, your students will think you’re crazy when you talk about fractions with a look usually reserved for spectator sports, but in the end your enthusiasm rubs off. Never be afraid to love something and show it
#2 Creativity
With the onslaught of standardized testing and curriculum this might be getting harder, but it is still very important. Regardless of discipline, creativity is paramount. Sure, you can be a good teacher by taking prepackaged material and efficiently transmitting it. But you can’t be a great one. To be a great teacher, you have to be ready to develop custom, creative lesson plans and projects. You have to have an arsenal of techniques. You need to be a problem-solver. You get the idea. If you don’t, pop into your average commencement address and you’ll hear plenty about this.
#3 Flexibility
Students have complex lives, as do you. If everything is set in stone, you’ll eventually crack. When an A student fails a test, you have to be ready to be flexible. Likewise, you should make yourself available to students for help as much as possible and publicize that fact. If students don’t know you’re available or have office hours, they won’t come and will just struggle through key concepts. Realize that learning is not static and you can’t be either.
#4 Integrate
I am a firm believer in integrated curriculum and content. Life isn’t in isolated boxes, so learning shouldn’t be either. I often hear the complaint that there isn’t support from administration or other teachers. To that, I say “So what?” Even if you’re the only one integrating across disciplines, even if the other discipline wants nothing to do with you, still do it. My math teacher once spent an entire class investigating the application of logarithms in music: complete with a working string instrument. If this seems hard, just take baby steps: try to integrate another discipline for just one lesson and go from there.
#5 Connect
Information can’t be transmitted without a solid connection, and neither can knowledge. You need to form a connection with each and every student. Technically speaking, the knowledge has to form a connection to the student, but you are the representation and medium of that knowledge. Find out what students passions are, and show them how the knowledge connects to them. To do this well, you have to be interesting. Your subject should be your passion, but not your only one. Play an instrument, learn to program, or coach a soccer team: it shows you have something in common with students and helps you to form a connection. Connect these passions back to your subject, and share those connections with your students. Be sure to drop these connections into lessons, fast and furious. Also, appeal to a variety of students. A music reference does nothing for me, but a computer science reference has my interest piqued. (The opposite for other students) You need to connect with students, and to connect you need something to connect with.
There you have it: the top five qualities I see in good teachers. Yes, I gather this is rather ironic considering I’m not even a teacher myself. However, I think I am in a very good position to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers, as I am a student. Like it or not, students are the only ones who know if you’ve been successfully. We know all the stuff a test would show, plus the stuff it can’t. Hopefully, you can think about some of these qualities and objectively judge yourself to improve. What did I miss? What are your top 5?
#1 Passion
Without this, it is impossible to become a great teacher. If you don’t love your subject, how can you expect your students to? I don’t think this is an issue for most teachers. Still, it is always important to emphasize. Sure, your students will think you’re crazy when you talk about fractions with a look usually reserved for spectator sports, but in the end your enthusiasm rubs off. Never be afraid to love something and show it
#2 Creativity
With the onslaught of standardized testing and curriculum this might be getting harder, but it is still very important. Regardless of discipline, creativity is paramount. Sure, you can be a good teacher by taking prepackaged material and efficiently transmitting it. But you can’t be a great one. To be a great teacher, you have to be ready to develop custom, creative lesson plans and projects. You have to have an arsenal of techniques. You need to be a problem-solver. You get the idea. If you don’t, pop into your average commencement address and you’ll hear plenty about this.
#3 Flexibility
Students have complex lives, as do you. If everything is set in stone, you’ll eventually crack. When an A student fails a test, you have to be ready to be flexible. Likewise, you should make yourself available to students for help as much as possible and publicize that fact. If students don’t know you’re available or have office hours, they won’t come and will just struggle through key concepts. Realize that learning is not static and you can’t be either.
#4 Integrate
I am a firm believer in integrated curriculum and content. Life isn’t in isolated boxes, so learning shouldn’t be either. I often hear the complaint that there isn’t support from administration or other teachers. To that, I say “So what?” Even if you’re the only one integrating across disciplines, even if the other discipline wants nothing to do with you, still do it. My math teacher once spent an entire class investigating the application of logarithms in music: complete with a working string instrument. If this seems hard, just take baby steps: try to integrate another discipline for just one lesson and go from there.
#5 Connect
Information can’t be transmitted without a solid connection, and neither can knowledge. You need to form a connection with each and every student. Technically speaking, the knowledge has to form a connection to the student, but you are the representation and medium of that knowledge. Find out what students passions are, and show them how the knowledge connects to them. To do this well, you have to be interesting. Your subject should be your passion, but not your only one. Play an instrument, learn to program, or coach a soccer team: it shows you have something in common with students and helps you to form a connection. Connect these passions back to your subject, and share those connections with your students. Be sure to drop these connections into lessons, fast and furious. Also, appeal to a variety of students. A music reference does nothing for me, but a computer science reference has my interest piqued. (The opposite for other students) You need to connect with students, and to connect you need something to connect with.
There you have it: the top five qualities I see in good teachers. Yes, I gather this is rather ironic considering I’m not even a teacher myself. However, I think I am in a very good position to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers, as I am a student. Like it or not, students are the only ones who know if you’ve been successfully. We know all the stuff a test would show, plus the stuff it can’t. Hopefully, you can think about some of these qualities and objectively judge yourself to improve. What did I miss? What are your top 5?
Are you a Top Terrific Education Teacher?
1. You love your role, you love being with your students and you couldn't imagine doing anything else. You were meant to teach special needs children, you know this in your heart.
2. You have a great deal of patience and know that little steps in learning go a long way.
3. You know your students well and they are comfortable and at ease with you, they enjoy having you as their teacher and look forward to going school each day.
4. You provide a non-threatening, welcoming environment that nurtures each of the students you work with.
5. You understand your students, you know what motivates them and you know how to scaffold activities to ensure that maximum learning occurs.
6. You take each student from where they are and provide experiences that will maximize success. You're always discovering new things about your students.
7. You are very comfortable working with exceptional learners and learners with diverse needs.
8. You thrive on challenge, can easily build relationships with your students and your student's parents.
9. You are a life-long learner and committed to the profession.
10. You have a never ending willingness to ensure that all students reach their maximum potential. You constantly strive to 'reach and teach' every student under your care.
2. You have a great deal of patience and know that little steps in learning go a long way.
3. You know your students well and they are comfortable and at ease with you, they enjoy having you as their teacher and look forward to going school each day.
4. You provide a non-threatening, welcoming environment that nurtures each of the students you work with.
5. You understand your students, you know what motivates them and you know how to scaffold activities to ensure that maximum learning occurs.
6. You take each student from where they are and provide experiences that will maximize success. You're always discovering new things about your students.
7. You are very comfortable working with exceptional learners and learners with diverse needs.
8. You thrive on challenge, can easily build relationships with your students and your student's parents.
9. You are a life-long learner and committed to the profession.
10. You have a never ending willingness to ensure that all students reach their maximum potential. You constantly strive to 'reach and teach' every student under your care.
How To Be A Great Teacher: 19 Qualities You Should Possess
“Teacher”! “Teacher”!! I don’t understand.
Those where the constant words teachers would hear coming out of tiny mouth. Luckily some great teachers and mentors who did not get discouraged and would inspire to reach new heights. We are all unique beings with diverse talents and perspectives that have capacity to teach others. Fortunately teaching does not have to be something that is confined only to the classroom.
We can all contribute something valuable, and if we cultivate a few qualities can make our contribution more meaningful by teaching and motivating others along the way. Below are some qualities one should strive for in becoming a great teacher. Remember to not overestimate others and never underestimate yourself, if you look deep enough you have something to teach the world. One of the greatest feelings you will ever get is to be a part of another human beings progress.
Top 19 Qualities To Cultivate:
1. Engaging/ Relevant: Teaching is a two way street, if the student is not engaged, your efforts will have been wasted. You need to get a student interested, excited, and enthusiastic about learning. Get to know your students desires, how can you teach in a way that is relevant to the things they want.
2. Good Evaluators: Good teachers are aware of their student’s skill sets and abilities. They are able to teach without getting to far ahead of their students abilities. They are able to stimulate the student to the next level of progress. They know when to push their students and when to back off and give them space to contemplate on their own.
3. Creative: To be a great teacher you need to have an open mind and be creative in your approaches to teaching. Everyone learns in different ways, so you must find new creative exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience.
4. Good Attitude: Your attitude determines everything, when you have a great attitude you take great pride in sharing what you know, and the student will also be more receptive to you.
5. Clear/Concise: One of my pet peeves was when my teachers made a simple exercise complicated by giving unclear instructions. Many times people like to complicate things to seem intelligent or superior. Remember this is not about you; make sure you make it as easy as possible for a student to learn.
6. Organized: Time is precious and many don’t have the luxury to spend large amounts of time learning something new. Make sure to think ahead of anything you might need and be prepared so that you are able to focus on the learning experience.
7. Clear Objectives: Students need a target, be upfront with what they will be learning. If your idea is too vague or abstract a student will see no point in paying attention.
8. Empathy: Depending on your students abilities, learning complex ideas can be emotionally draining. When your students hit a wall or an obstacle, empathize with them. Try to focus on the positive, find ways to encourage them to fight through the difficulties.
9.Flexible: Many times things don’t go according to plan, if something is not working, re group and try a new approach.
10. Genuine/ Interested: Have a sincere interest in your students, if they know you care, they will go the extra mile to do their part. This is also an opportunity for you to learn as well.
11. Sober/ Professional: I remember having a few college professors who had to be drunk; there could not be another explanation to why the lecture was so terrible. Your appearance matters as well, think about what context and learning environment you will be in.
12. Knowledgeable: As obvious as this sounds, if you are not knowledgeable on a certain topic how can you teach it to someone else. Once you have your objective, make sure you do the necessary research, so that you can be confident in your ability to teach. If you are teaching something that is highly specialized, make sure you make the effort to continue your education. Subscribe to trade magazines, read up on the latest developments, go to seminars, etc.
13. Balance: Creating balance in our lives is critical. If we are to be good teachers we need to have a good balance in our mind, body, and spirit. When we neglect a certain aspect to our being, its effects spill over and sabotage our efforts.
14. Inspiring: A teacher who can inspire their students has the potential to awaken talents, that the students where not even aware they possessed. Someone who is inspired will go to great lengths to see their objective carried out.
15. Confidence: A teacher, who is confident in himself, will teach in a way that instills confidence in the student. The student will be assured that what they are learning is valuable and accurate. If a student senses that you are not confident in yourself will doubt your abilities to teach. If my friend is teaching me how to approach woman but he himself is not confident in his ideas, how will I be confident in applying what he is trying to teach me.
16. Respectful: Learn to be aware of age, gender, and cultural differences. We all come from different backgrounds learn to be respectful and seek to understand others.
17. Clear Expectations: Don’t promise a Mercedes Benz if you can only deliver a Ford Escort. Make sure you set realistic expectations in your student, than strive to go above and beyond.
18. Keep your ego in check: This is all about the learning process, don’t take anything personally when you commit a mistake or your student proves that you are wrong. Teaching is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience if you don’t let your ego get involved.
19. Adaptable: Finally the last quality to a great teacher is his ability to adapt. Change is the only constant, when circumstances change, learn to let go and embrace whatever is needed to progress.
Those where the constant words teachers would hear coming out of tiny mouth. Luckily some great teachers and mentors who did not get discouraged and would inspire to reach new heights. We are all unique beings with diverse talents and perspectives that have capacity to teach others. Fortunately teaching does not have to be something that is confined only to the classroom.
We can all contribute something valuable, and if we cultivate a few qualities can make our contribution more meaningful by teaching and motivating others along the way. Below are some qualities one should strive for in becoming a great teacher. Remember to not overestimate others and never underestimate yourself, if you look deep enough you have something to teach the world. One of the greatest feelings you will ever get is to be a part of another human beings progress.
Top 19 Qualities To Cultivate:
1. Engaging/ Relevant: Teaching is a two way street, if the student is not engaged, your efforts will have been wasted. You need to get a student interested, excited, and enthusiastic about learning. Get to know your students desires, how can you teach in a way that is relevant to the things they want.
2. Good Evaluators: Good teachers are aware of their student’s skill sets and abilities. They are able to teach without getting to far ahead of their students abilities. They are able to stimulate the student to the next level of progress. They know when to push their students and when to back off and give them space to contemplate on their own.
3. Creative: To be a great teacher you need to have an open mind and be creative in your approaches to teaching. Everyone learns in different ways, so you must find new creative exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience.
4. Good Attitude: Your attitude determines everything, when you have a great attitude you take great pride in sharing what you know, and the student will also be more receptive to you.
5. Clear/Concise: One of my pet peeves was when my teachers made a simple exercise complicated by giving unclear instructions. Many times people like to complicate things to seem intelligent or superior. Remember this is not about you; make sure you make it as easy as possible for a student to learn.
6. Organized: Time is precious and many don’t have the luxury to spend large amounts of time learning something new. Make sure to think ahead of anything you might need and be prepared so that you are able to focus on the learning experience.
7. Clear Objectives: Students need a target, be upfront with what they will be learning. If your idea is too vague or abstract a student will see no point in paying attention.
8. Empathy: Depending on your students abilities, learning complex ideas can be emotionally draining. When your students hit a wall or an obstacle, empathize with them. Try to focus on the positive, find ways to encourage them to fight through the difficulties.
9.Flexible: Many times things don’t go according to plan, if something is not working, re group and try a new approach.
10. Genuine/ Interested: Have a sincere interest in your students, if they know you care, they will go the extra mile to do their part. This is also an opportunity for you to learn as well.
11. Sober/ Professional: I remember having a few college professors who had to be drunk; there could not be another explanation to why the lecture was so terrible. Your appearance matters as well, think about what context and learning environment you will be in.
12. Knowledgeable: As obvious as this sounds, if you are not knowledgeable on a certain topic how can you teach it to someone else. Once you have your objective, make sure you do the necessary research, so that you can be confident in your ability to teach. If you are teaching something that is highly specialized, make sure you make the effort to continue your education. Subscribe to trade magazines, read up on the latest developments, go to seminars, etc.
13. Balance: Creating balance in our lives is critical. If we are to be good teachers we need to have a good balance in our mind, body, and spirit. When we neglect a certain aspect to our being, its effects spill over and sabotage our efforts.
14. Inspiring: A teacher who can inspire their students has the potential to awaken talents, that the students where not even aware they possessed. Someone who is inspired will go to great lengths to see their objective carried out.
15. Confidence: A teacher, who is confident in himself, will teach in a way that instills confidence in the student. The student will be assured that what they are learning is valuable and accurate. If a student senses that you are not confident in yourself will doubt your abilities to teach. If my friend is teaching me how to approach woman but he himself is not confident in his ideas, how will I be confident in applying what he is trying to teach me.
16. Respectful: Learn to be aware of age, gender, and cultural differences. We all come from different backgrounds learn to be respectful and seek to understand others.
17. Clear Expectations: Don’t promise a Mercedes Benz if you can only deliver a Ford Escort. Make sure you set realistic expectations in your student, than strive to go above and beyond.
18. Keep your ego in check: This is all about the learning process, don’t take anything personally when you commit a mistake or your student proves that you are wrong. Teaching is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience if you don’t let your ego get involved.
19. Adaptable: Finally the last quality to a great teacher is his ability to adapt. Change is the only constant, when circumstances change, learn to let go and embrace whatever is needed to progress.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
12 Ways to Boost Your Brainpower
Dance, Dance, Dance!
Of all things we gain with age—wealth, wisdom, children—a sharper mind isn’t one of them. Instead of being a steel trap like it used to be, it’s probably starting to resemble a colander. Life keeps pouring in, but you retain less and less of it.
But researchers are discovering that there are ways to forestall the decline. The secret? Stop taking your gray matter for granted, says P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., chief of biological psychiatry at Duke University’s medical school. “You can add 10 or more years to your brain’s useful life just by paying some attention to it,” he says. Here are 12 everyday tips to boost your brainpower—and then get more health, fitness, and beauty secrets in our new book, Age Erasers for Women!
"Few activities stimulate as wide a variety of brain systems as dancing does," says Daniel Amen, M.D., author of Magnificent Mind at Any Age. "Dancing requires everything from coordination and organization to planning and judgment." Ditto for martial arts. "Both require you to position different parts of your body simultaneously and in synchronicity—and with dance, you've got to move along to music," says John Ratey, M.D., author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. "That's a lot of mental stimulation."
Crack Some Eggs
The ideal breakfast is an egg, according to Larry McCleary, M.D., author of The Brain Trust Program. The incredible edible contains B vitamins, which enable nerve cells to burn glucose, your brain's major energy source; antioxidants, which protect neurons against damage; and omega-3 fatty acids, which keep nerve cells firing at optimal speed. Similarly, McCleary says that the best brain foods are those that would rot if the power went out. Pick fresh fruits, veggies, and lean proteins and avoid the dreaded duo, trans fats ("they diminish brain cells' ability to communicate with each other") and high-fructose corn syrup ("it can shrink the brain by damaging cells").
Keep on Moving On
Multitasking is like Kryptonite to gray matter. When you have a crammed to-do list, rather than layer projects, take on one task at a time and change them up every hour. Can't finish something in 60 minutes? Schedule another slot for it later in the day. "Switching from one project to the next will engage different areas of the brain, keeping you mentally alert," says Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging and the Semel Institute Memory Research Center and the author of The Longevity Bible.
Take a YouTube Timeout
You can counteract stress—and roll back psychological aging—with laughter. Even the anticipation of a good laugh decreases the stress chemicals cortisol and epinephrine by 39 percent and 70 percent, respectively, say researchers at Loma Linda University. Laughter is also great for the heart. When participants in a University of Maryland study watched stressful film clips, they experienced vasoconstriction—a narrowing of the blood vessels—while the blood vessels of those watching funny films expanded by 22 percent.
Hit the Hay
Getting plenty of snooze time is key to keeping your head on its toes. According to a 2007 study at Harvard Medical School, z's help memories lodge themselves in your brain (as anyone who has ever pulled an all-nighter and then tried to recall important details can attest). The study showed that the brain gathers disparate pieces of information and weaves them into a coherent whole while you're asleep. Clock seven hours of shuteye, recommends Dr. Amen. "Science shows that people who sleep for seven hours exhibit significantly more brain activity than those who don't," he says.
Disconnect the Cable
A 2005 study published in Brain and Cognition found that for each additional hour per day a person spent watching TV between the ages of 40 and 59, the risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life rose by 1.3 percent. Top out at two hours a day, recommends Aric Sigman, Ph.D., psychologist, biologist, and author of Remotely Controlled: How Television Is Damaging Our Lives, and consider joining a reading group. "Reading is good for your brain only when it involves storing and retrieving information," says Dr. Amen. "And the social aspect of book groups adds another dynamic that bolsters cognitive functioning."
Raid the Spice Rack
Sprinkle some rosemary on your entrées and side dishes. The carnosic acid found in this spice has been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice by 40 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Carnosic acid appears to set off a process that shields brain cells from free-radical damage, which can worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and the general effects of aging. But rosemary is not the only "mind spice" on the shelf: Cinnamon, turmeric, basil, oregano, thyme, and sage can all protect your brain from inflammation, says neurologist Eric Braverman, M.D., a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Shoot for 3 to 7 teaspoons of any combination of these spices each day. "Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your morning yogurt or coffee," says Dr. Braverman. "Sprinkle basil and oregano on a sandwich, or stir a teaspoon of rosemary into tea. It'll add up."
Study Another Language
Parlez-vous français? Non? Then you may find yourself less able to stave off dementia when you're older. In a 2007 study at York University in Toronto, bilingual seniors kept the worst effects of the condition at bay four years longer than those who'd never ventured beyond their native tongue. Learning a second language appears to increase the density of gray matter in the areas of your brain that govern attention and memory, says researcher Ellen Bialystok, Ph.D. During your commute, play some language-instruction CDs, such as the ones from Macmillan's Behind the Wheel series.
Floss Your Teeth
Inflamed, bloody gums can signify body wide wellness issues. Not only do unhealthy mouths unleash bacteria into the bloodstream, where the bugs can travel to vital organs, but people with gum disease also have worse mental functioning than those whose gums are healthy, according to a U.K. study of more than 6,500 adults.
Go Green
Drinking five or more cups of green tea per day can make you 20 percent less likely to experience psychological distress than if you drink less than a cup, according to a new study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Of all things we gain with age—wealth, wisdom, children—a sharper mind isn’t one of them. Instead of being a steel trap like it used to be, it’s probably starting to resemble a colander. Life keeps pouring in, but you retain less and less of it.
But researchers are discovering that there are ways to forestall the decline. The secret? Stop taking your gray matter for granted, says P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., chief of biological psychiatry at Duke University’s medical school. “You can add 10 or more years to your brain’s useful life just by paying some attention to it,” he says. Here are 12 everyday tips to boost your brainpower—and then get more health, fitness, and beauty secrets in our new book, Age Erasers for Women!
"Few activities stimulate as wide a variety of brain systems as dancing does," says Daniel Amen, M.D., author of Magnificent Mind at Any Age. "Dancing requires everything from coordination and organization to planning and judgment." Ditto for martial arts. "Both require you to position different parts of your body simultaneously and in synchronicity—and with dance, you've got to move along to music," says John Ratey, M.D., author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. "That's a lot of mental stimulation."
Crack Some Eggs
The ideal breakfast is an egg, according to Larry McCleary, M.D., author of The Brain Trust Program. The incredible edible contains B vitamins, which enable nerve cells to burn glucose, your brain's major energy source; antioxidants, which protect neurons against damage; and omega-3 fatty acids, which keep nerve cells firing at optimal speed. Similarly, McCleary says that the best brain foods are those that would rot if the power went out. Pick fresh fruits, veggies, and lean proteins and avoid the dreaded duo, trans fats ("they diminish brain cells' ability to communicate with each other") and high-fructose corn syrup ("it can shrink the brain by damaging cells").
Keep on Moving On
Multitasking is like Kryptonite to gray matter. When you have a crammed to-do list, rather than layer projects, take on one task at a time and change them up every hour. Can't finish something in 60 minutes? Schedule another slot for it later in the day. "Switching from one project to the next will engage different areas of the brain, keeping you mentally alert," says Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging and the Semel Institute Memory Research Center and the author of The Longevity Bible.
Take a YouTube Timeout
You can counteract stress—and roll back psychological aging—with laughter. Even the anticipation of a good laugh decreases the stress chemicals cortisol and epinephrine by 39 percent and 70 percent, respectively, say researchers at Loma Linda University. Laughter is also great for the heart. When participants in a University of Maryland study watched stressful film clips, they experienced vasoconstriction—a narrowing of the blood vessels—while the blood vessels of those watching funny films expanded by 22 percent.
Hit the Hay
Getting plenty of snooze time is key to keeping your head on its toes. According to a 2007 study at Harvard Medical School, z's help memories lodge themselves in your brain (as anyone who has ever pulled an all-nighter and then tried to recall important details can attest). The study showed that the brain gathers disparate pieces of information and weaves them into a coherent whole while you're asleep. Clock seven hours of shuteye, recommends Dr. Amen. "Science shows that people who sleep for seven hours exhibit significantly more brain activity than those who don't," he says.
Disconnect the Cable
A 2005 study published in Brain and Cognition found that for each additional hour per day a person spent watching TV between the ages of 40 and 59, the risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life rose by 1.3 percent. Top out at two hours a day, recommends Aric Sigman, Ph.D., psychologist, biologist, and author of Remotely Controlled: How Television Is Damaging Our Lives, and consider joining a reading group. "Reading is good for your brain only when it involves storing and retrieving information," says Dr. Amen. "And the social aspect of book groups adds another dynamic that bolsters cognitive functioning."
Raid the Spice Rack
Sprinkle some rosemary on your entrées and side dishes. The carnosic acid found in this spice has been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice by 40 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. Carnosic acid appears to set off a process that shields brain cells from free-radical damage, which can worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and the general effects of aging. But rosemary is not the only "mind spice" on the shelf: Cinnamon, turmeric, basil, oregano, thyme, and sage can all protect your brain from inflammation, says neurologist Eric Braverman, M.D., a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Shoot for 3 to 7 teaspoons of any combination of these spices each day. "Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to your morning yogurt or coffee," says Dr. Braverman. "Sprinkle basil and oregano on a sandwich, or stir a teaspoon of rosemary into tea. It'll add up."
Study Another Language
Parlez-vous français? Non? Then you may find yourself less able to stave off dementia when you're older. In a 2007 study at York University in Toronto, bilingual seniors kept the worst effects of the condition at bay four years longer than those who'd never ventured beyond their native tongue. Learning a second language appears to increase the density of gray matter in the areas of your brain that govern attention and memory, says researcher Ellen Bialystok, Ph.D. During your commute, play some language-instruction CDs, such as the ones from Macmillan's Behind the Wheel series.
Floss Your Teeth
Inflamed, bloody gums can signify body wide wellness issues. Not only do unhealthy mouths unleash bacteria into the bloodstream, where the bugs can travel to vital organs, but people with gum disease also have worse mental functioning than those whose gums are healthy, according to a U.K. study of more than 6,500 adults.
Go Green
Drinking five or more cups of green tea per day can make you 20 percent less likely to experience psychological distress than if you drink less than a cup, according to a new study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Monday, April 26, 2010
WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ!
(Passing requires only 3 correct answers out of 10!)
1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name ?
8) What color is a purple finch ?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from ?
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane ?
Remember, you need only 3 correct answers to pass.
Check your answers below.
ANSWERS
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last ?
116 years
2) Which country makes Panama hats ?
Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get cat gut ?
Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution ?
November
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of ?
Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal ?
Dogs
7) What was King George VI's first name ?
Albert
8) What color is a purple finch ?
Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from ?
New Zealand
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane ?
Orange (of course!)
What do you mean, you failed?!!
Me, too...!!! (And if you try to tell me you passed, you lie!)
Pass this on to some "brilliant" friends, so that they may feel useless too!
1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name ?
8) What color is a purple finch ?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from ?
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane ?
Remember, you need only 3 correct answers to pass.
Check your answers below.
ANSWERS
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last ?
116 years
2) Which country makes Panama hats ?
Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get cat gut ?
Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution ?
November
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of ?
Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal ?
Dogs
7) What was King George VI's first name ?
Albert
8) What color is a purple finch ?
Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from ?
New Zealand
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane ?
Orange (of course!)
What do you mean, you failed?!!
Me, too...!!! (And if you try to tell me you passed, you lie!)
Pass this on to some "brilliant" friends, so that they may feel useless too!
Top 10 Dos and Don'ts for Parents Sending Their Kids to College
You might get so distracted helping your son or daughter prep for college life that you forget there are similar to-do lists for yourself! Here, some tips on the best way to make the transition to college a smooth one for all parties.
It's not always easy to know how to handle things when your kid is heading off to college. So many things to think about, so many details to manage, and so many feelings. Because, let's face it, your son or daughter isn't just going to college, they're leaving home. You know it, and they know it. Although there is no absolute guaranteed-to-succeed way to ease your baby into the world, there are a few time-tested things you can do, and just as importantly not do, to help your kid have a good college experience. This handy guide addresses some of the most important decisions, strategies and potential faux pas for parents of college-bound students.
1. DON'T allow your freshman to live off campus
Unless your child is attending a local school and living at home, a college dorm is the best student housing choice for at least the first year. Going away to school — leaving home, parents, and the familiarity of high school to enter the hallowed halls of higher learning — is hard enough without the isolation that comes from off-campus living. Dorms immerse students in campus life, help them meet other kids who are in the same situation, and give freshmen a much-needed sense of community. And unlike an apartment, dorms offer at least some supervision.
2. DO help your child set up a checking account and credit card
A basic checking account and a credit card with a low, pre-set spending limit will make it easier for your freshman to handle routine expenses, such as buying books, as well as the unexpected. It will also help her learn to handle money, reinforce her sense of independence, and establish a good credit rating during her college years that will serve her well after she graduates and gets her first post-college job.
3. DON'T take it personally when your kid stops calling home
When your freshman first arrives at college, he will be excited and homesick. He probably will call home a lot, causing you to take pity on those poor parents who complain about never hearing from their college-age children. Within a few weeks, however, chances are your phone will stop ringing. It's not you, and it's not really him, it's the situation. Your freshman is suddenly swept up in a new world with a lot of new demands and distractions. Don't take it personally, and don't nag. Just realize that keeping in touch with your college kid is going to be on you for awhile.
4. DO add text messaging to your mobile phone
Texting is very popular on college campuses, so your chances of keeping in touch are much better if you learn how to text before your kid leaves for school. Unless you both agree that it's okay to call at certain times, a phone call could interrupt a class, a study session, or a much-needed nap after a rough day in the biology lab. Besides, if your kid is busy, she may have the ringer turned off. Texting can be done almost anywhere (except while driving) so text your child and encourage her to text back. E-mail is a fine second choice.
5. DON'T assume that no news is good news
Despite what you may have heard about how bad it is to be a "helicopter" parent (one who hovers over the kids, asking questions and, well, meddling), it ain't necessarily so. Sure, over-involvement can be a problem, but research shows that kids feel supported by parents who ask questions, act on their behalf, and stay engaged. If you have questions or concerns, ask.
6. DO invest in a mini refrigerator and microwave for the dorm room
You'd like to think that once your freshman is out from under your watchful eye, he will still take time to eat nutritious and wholesome meals, but that's not always going to happen. By installing a small refrigerator and microwave in his dorm room, and stocking the fridge with heat-and-eat meals, plus juice and water, you can help to ensure that your kid will eat something nutritious between classes, and during those marathon study sessions when the cafeteria is closed.
7. DON'T be afraid to let your kid make mistakes
It's important to support your child and offer help when help is needed, but like it or not your freshman is hurtling toward adulthood. You may be tempted to smooth the way, but that's not always possible. Sometimes you just have to trust your child to make good decisions, and watch anxiously but quietly as they make mistakes. It's all part of learning to navigate the world.
8. DO make friends with Facebook
Your kids are probably on Facebook or other social networking sites, and their friends are, too. Facebook pages are like personal resumes, journals and scrapbooks all rolled into one — people post photos of parties and events, share their thoughts and feelings, and talk about their activities, favorite music and videos. A subtle but effective way to keep an eye on your kids (and who they're hanging out with) is to add yourself as a "friend" to their Facebook pages.
9. DON'T redecorate your freshman's room right away
As tempting as it may be to delegate your college student's abandoned bedroom to another child, or finally get that den or studio you've always wanted, try to resist the temptation to start transforming the room the minute your freshman leaves for school. Going away to college can be unsettling enough for your freshman without being forced to sleep on the couch the first time she comes home for a visit. At some point you can strike a deal to make over the room for another purpose, but hold off for awhile. Coming "home" can be very comforting.
10. DO explore new interests (or expand the ones you've got)
When your freshman leaves the nest and goes off to college, make good use of the time you've been spending on daily parenting for the past 18 years. Take classes, get in shape or get involved in your community. One of my friends became a Big Brother to a fatherless boy after his own son left for college; another took cooking lessons in France. Whatever you choose to do, share your child's spirit of adventure and do something you'll enjoy. You've earned it.
It's not always easy to know how to handle things when your kid is heading off to college. So many things to think about, so many details to manage, and so many feelings. Because, let's face it, your son or daughter isn't just going to college, they're leaving home. You know it, and they know it. Although there is no absolute guaranteed-to-succeed way to ease your baby into the world, there are a few time-tested things you can do, and just as importantly not do, to help your kid have a good college experience. This handy guide addresses some of the most important decisions, strategies and potential faux pas for parents of college-bound students.
1. DON'T allow your freshman to live off campus
Unless your child is attending a local school and living at home, a college dorm is the best student housing choice for at least the first year. Going away to school — leaving home, parents, and the familiarity of high school to enter the hallowed halls of higher learning — is hard enough without the isolation that comes from off-campus living. Dorms immerse students in campus life, help them meet other kids who are in the same situation, and give freshmen a much-needed sense of community. And unlike an apartment, dorms offer at least some supervision.
2. DO help your child set up a checking account and credit card
A basic checking account and a credit card with a low, pre-set spending limit will make it easier for your freshman to handle routine expenses, such as buying books, as well as the unexpected. It will also help her learn to handle money, reinforce her sense of independence, and establish a good credit rating during her college years that will serve her well after she graduates and gets her first post-college job.
3. DON'T take it personally when your kid stops calling home
When your freshman first arrives at college, he will be excited and homesick. He probably will call home a lot, causing you to take pity on those poor parents who complain about never hearing from their college-age children. Within a few weeks, however, chances are your phone will stop ringing. It's not you, and it's not really him, it's the situation. Your freshman is suddenly swept up in a new world with a lot of new demands and distractions. Don't take it personally, and don't nag. Just realize that keeping in touch with your college kid is going to be on you for awhile.
4. DO add text messaging to your mobile phone
Texting is very popular on college campuses, so your chances of keeping in touch are much better if you learn how to text before your kid leaves for school. Unless you both agree that it's okay to call at certain times, a phone call could interrupt a class, a study session, or a much-needed nap after a rough day in the biology lab. Besides, if your kid is busy, she may have the ringer turned off. Texting can be done almost anywhere (except while driving) so text your child and encourage her to text back. E-mail is a fine second choice.
5. DON'T assume that no news is good news
Despite what you may have heard about how bad it is to be a "helicopter" parent (one who hovers over the kids, asking questions and, well, meddling), it ain't necessarily so. Sure, over-involvement can be a problem, but research shows that kids feel supported by parents who ask questions, act on their behalf, and stay engaged. If you have questions or concerns, ask.
6. DO invest in a mini refrigerator and microwave for the dorm room
You'd like to think that once your freshman is out from under your watchful eye, he will still take time to eat nutritious and wholesome meals, but that's not always going to happen. By installing a small refrigerator and microwave in his dorm room, and stocking the fridge with heat-and-eat meals, plus juice and water, you can help to ensure that your kid will eat something nutritious between classes, and during those marathon study sessions when the cafeteria is closed.
7. DON'T be afraid to let your kid make mistakes
It's important to support your child and offer help when help is needed, but like it or not your freshman is hurtling toward adulthood. You may be tempted to smooth the way, but that's not always possible. Sometimes you just have to trust your child to make good decisions, and watch anxiously but quietly as they make mistakes. It's all part of learning to navigate the world.
8. DO make friends with Facebook
Your kids are probably on Facebook or other social networking sites, and their friends are, too. Facebook pages are like personal resumes, journals and scrapbooks all rolled into one — people post photos of parties and events, share their thoughts and feelings, and talk about their activities, favorite music and videos. A subtle but effective way to keep an eye on your kids (and who they're hanging out with) is to add yourself as a "friend" to their Facebook pages.
9. DON'T redecorate your freshman's room right away
As tempting as it may be to delegate your college student's abandoned bedroom to another child, or finally get that den or studio you've always wanted, try to resist the temptation to start transforming the room the minute your freshman leaves for school. Going away to college can be unsettling enough for your freshman without being forced to sleep on the couch the first time she comes home for a visit. At some point you can strike a deal to make over the room for another purpose, but hold off for awhile. Coming "home" can be very comforting.
10. DO explore new interests (or expand the ones you've got)
When your freshman leaves the nest and goes off to college, make good use of the time you've been spending on daily parenting for the past 18 years. Take classes, get in shape or get involved in your community. One of my friends became a Big Brother to a fatherless boy after his own son left for college; another took cooking lessons in France. Whatever you choose to do, share your child's spirit of adventure and do something you'll enjoy. You've earned it.
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