Generations at Work

Our 21st-century civilization conditions us to "hack" our way through life; to get behind the system and find shortcuts to make it work for us, faster and easier. In one sense, it feels like we're beating the system, a system that always seems against us. Looking for shortcuts is a natural and positive behavior for educated people—except for one thing. […]

A teen is programmed to break away from their parents. This is natural and healthy, but that doesn't make it any easier for a parent or teacher. We want to rescue. We are nurturers. We want them to be comfortable, safe, and happy. In this episode, Tim and Andrew give advice on how to stay involved in students' lives not […]

Children need chores to aid in their maturation process. For years, researchers have proven that when a kid connects the dots that each person in a family plays a responsible role in ensuring the group succeeds, it has several benefits. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss the benefits that having tasks and chores can have in a classroom at […]

Our shifting society has sparked tension between generations at work. Our problem is we've failed to recognize the value each generation brings to the team. We assumed that if one generation possesses valued expertise, the other cannot. The fact is each generation brings strengths to a team and they're different than the others. Our job is to capitalize on each […]

Our brains develop a little like wet cement. Our neural pathways are very pliable in our first twenty years and begin to solidify afterward. It isn't that people can't change as adults, it's just that change is more difficult as we age. Our world needs innovation, and at my age, most of that will come from the emerging generation, not […]

Everyone has witnessed the culture wars. People in our society seem polarized over values and social issues. While I believe those battles are real, there's a deeper issue at play that we have ignored. You might call it, "generational wars." It's happening every day in our workplaces. Good news: We now have an event that covers this topic for school […]

We view building social and emotional skills as an act of personal growth for kids and young adults all around the world. In fact, we believe students who cultivate emotional intelligence and social skills are more likely to be a positive influence on their world. They will be set up to solve problems and serve people. In this episode, Tim […]

As "Help Wanted" signs on the windows of many establishments today have become more prevalent, it is important to consider the qualities young job seekers should learn when entering the job market. Too often, young adults don't take entry-level positions because they feel those jobs are beneath them. In this episode, Tim and Andrew reflect on the early experiences that […]

Carey Nieuwhof is a bestselling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, and former attorney. He hosts one of today's most influential leadership podcasts. His podcast, blog, and online content is accessed by leaders over 1.5 million times each month. He speaks around the world about leadership, personal growth, and change. Check out more about Carey Nieuwhof here. Pick up a copy of […]

When kids are younger, parents often play the role of supervisor. They are right there on top of the issues. And they should be—young children need the support of their parents. As they age, parents must move to the role of consultants. Parents should still be involved and still be supportive but must allow kids to grow up and self-regulate. […]

The generational diversity we feel in our lives is not going away anytime soon. Because people are living and working longer, we will experience multiple generations on teams we may be a part of. To wish for a homogenous group of people to work with is wishing for a past that is long gone. In this episode, Tim and Andrew […]

It is difficult to live a meaningful life without clear goals. Goals give us purpose. They give us energy. They give us motivation. In this episode, Tim and Andrew highlight one of our habitudes called "The Foggy Day Effect" and give real-world action steps on how we can set and stick to the goals we want to achieve in life. […]

On Tuesday, May 31st at 12 noon ET, we will be hosting a webinar to launch our new eBook, "An Early Introduction to Generation Alpha." In this webinar, you will hear from Dr. Elmore about the first research we've gathered on Generation Alpha — the students born since 2016. After attending this webinar, you will receive a free copy of […]

The American population seems polarized into at least two major camps, and several sub-camps regarding politics, vaccinations, masks, and other issues. The pandemic has stolen nearly a million lives in the United States. The economy has felt like a yo-yo, spiking and then plummeting. When Generation Z observes how out-of-control everything feels, you can't blame them for feeling melancholy. In […]

When a family eats together, it demonstrates that family is the highest priority. While most agree with this, we often neglect it because we've jumped onto a hamster wheel, running to practices, rehearsals, games, recitals, and competitions. Rushing about together is not the same as pausing, eating, and interacting. We must avoid noise and clutter. In this episode, Tim and […]

When adolescents have nothing meaningful to do, they'll create their own meaning. This can be good news or bad news, depending on what they come up with. For too long, parents, teachers, and coaches have only offered facsimiles of real-world experiences to teens. We've been afraid our kids will get hurt, be unsafe, be unready, and fail; and consequently, sheltered […]

When someone establishes their boundaries, it is a trump card. What can anyone say to a person who declares they need to guard their time and mental health? Today, we all believe in boundaries. When we don't establish boundaries, we often sacrifice something that boundaries often protect. Both sacrifice and boundaries are essential but too much sacrifice often leads to […]

One of the saddest realities that surfaced from the COVID-19 pandemic was the loss of hope on the part of students. During this time of uncertainty, students are finding unhealthy and dangerous ways to cope. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore the distinct relationship between resourcefulness and resiliency and present four messages students need to hear from their teachers […]

This past year, the theme of leadership was subtle but definitely present in many of the movies released in theaters and on streaming services. In this episode, Tim and Andrew offer you a list of the top leadership movies of 2021 and how we can all learn from them. Some are dramas, some are comedies, some are thrillers, and some […]

We live in a culture with so many options, so much going on every moment of the day, that we get distracted. Our smartphones cause FOMO (the fear of missing out). Social media causes FOMU (the fear of messing up). We endure self-imposed pressures to get so much done each day that we feel compelled to multitask. Technology has made […]

Despite the turmoil, disruption, volatility, and uncertainty, why do we see young adults becoming more, not less, audacious? In a time when we'd assume they might cower in fear of the unknown, they are speaking up, quitting jobs, and bucking well-known traditions. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore why younger people are choosing control over caution in the new […]

People are resigning from their jobs in droves. By the millions. Inc. magazine reported on The Great Resignation, detailing the numbers; and they're staggering. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss the lasting effects of the Great Resignation and how we all can navigate it using examples from the ones who came before us.

Millions of teens and young adults in Generation Z have been given the expectation that life should be pleasant, rewarding, and even fun each day. And when it is not, someone should swoop in and make it better. In this episode, Tim and Andrew discuss ways that we can help children combat Cinderella Syndrome and prepare for the real world […]

What if instead of barring our students from engaging in social platforms, we were instead building in them the skills they need to make those decisions themselves? In the case of both competencies, the answer begins with a conversation. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore what it looks like to build skills that will help students make better decisions […]

Anxiety has been normalized thanks to social media and the pandemic. Both children and adults can let stress get them down. But there is a difference between stress and pressure. In this episode, Tim and Andrew explore these differences and offer insight into why pressure can help others perform at their best.