KidLead's Weekly News Update
Productive Meetings In PA/MD/DC/VA (Oct. 4-10)
Four trainers were certified in PA on Sept. 26, including one from Texas, making KidLead's intro into 5 states. Dr. Nelson met with officials from a variety of schools, including Lancaster Country Day. He also met with premier Washington DC area schools such as Landon, Sidwell Friends, and Woods Academy. He had an opportunity to introduce KidLed with the director of middle schools for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the After School Alliance, an advocacy group promoting after school programs. The DC area seems to have a strong interest in leadership development.
The Harker School on Board with LeadNow (Sept. 20-26)
One of the premier schools in Silicon Valley, The Harker School (www.harker.org), has decided to add LeadNow. Harker, considered the "Stanford" of primary and secondary education in N. CA, is a top tier institution that values leadership development. They're planning to implement it as part of their robust cocurricular enrichment programs offered after school.
Dr. Nelson will be presenting a 1-hour, "Developing Your Child To Lead" seminar at Miramonte School in Los Altos, CA, Oct. 6, 7-8:15PM. The public is welcome.
Dr. Nelson Headed to PA, DC, & VA (Sept. 6-13)
In addition to a trainer certification in Lancaster, PA (Sept. 26), Alan will be meeting with premier school and community leaders in Lancaster on September 25. He'll then be traveling to Washington DC and the Arlington, VA area for meetings with schools and agencies interested in KidLead. Last weekend, Dr. Nelson met at the headquarters of Vistage, the largest Chief Executive Organization, to discuss possibilities in providing executive training for the kids and grandkids of these national and world leaders. Because KidLead's vision is global, our goal is to partner with potential agencies that value leadership development.
New Trainers in AZ (Aug. 24-30)
Aaron Bynum and Eric Dall, 5th grade teachers at Scottsdale Christian Academy, one of Arizona's premier independent schools, became the newest KidLead certified trainers. Aaron and Eric will be launching the LeadNow training program this fall at SCA. Like most schools, they and the administrators will be deciding how this specialized program will fit the overall goals that will include identifying potential Koaches and participants and determining what grades will be targeted. KidLead applauds teachers like Aaron and Eric who in addition to their teaching and personal lives, see the importance of developing kids who are wired to lead, provding them a 10-20 year head start. SCA is the first AZ organization to use the LeadNow program and will serve as a model for other premier schools and organizations in the region to observe. Welcome to the KidLead network!
Eaton (CO) School Loves LeadNow (Aug. 16-23)
Dr. Nelson traveled to "Colorful Colorado" to connect with KidLead trainers and make connections with premier schools, a homeschool network, and churches there. Nina Lewis, who ran the public school pilot program at Benjamin-Eaton Elementary, said that the excitement in their community for LeadNow training is growing. They already have a full club for their Oct. launch of the Orange Module with a wait list. "We may need to add a second club. Our last leadership project was amazing. Adults came out to watch the elementary Leaders do a project for the Middle School recreational area and were surprised by how they strategized and problem-solved. It's catching on in our community!" Eaton will be the first club to conduct the 4th Module and complete the training curriculum. Nina Lewis is now the Regional Director of Colorado, supporting organizations interested in implementing America's finest preteen leadership training program.
KidLead Update (August 3-15)
1. It's official, the book (KidLead: Growing Great Leaders) is now available on Amazon.com (click HERE) and review copies are headed for the media, so if you have media contacts for your area, e-mail them to us. No book exists like this one, to develop the influence potential in kids.
2. Not sure if you've noticed, but we've added a P.O. Box for our mail (beautiful Monterey, CA) and a toll free number for calls (8778-4KIDLEAD... 877/845.4353)
3. KidLead founder, Alan E. Nelson is headed for meetings in CO (Aug. 17), AZ (Aug. 20-23), PA (Sept. 24-26), DC & VA (Sept. 27-29).
4. As schools crank up, we're gearing up for a dynamic fall of introducing this unique and powerful leader training program to 100s of schools and faith communities on the west coast and around the country.
When does 1 + 8 = 1500? KidLead Math (July 27-Aug. 2)
The Monterey, CA Blue Module training grad class had 15 preteens, culminating in a group decision to pursue a leadership project that aided the needy. With the number of homeless and in-need families on the increase in the county, the Leaders voted to accept the challenge of raising food to donate to the Salvation Army's Good Samaritan Center in Sand City. Because of vacations, only 8 could participate, but these 8 Leaders raised nearly 1500 pounds of goods and then served boxes of food to senior adults on July 23. Two television stations and three newspapers covered the story. Click HERE to read the article in The Monterey Herald. Oh, the math: 1 LeadNow training module, plus 8 Leaders, equals 1500 lbs. of food...not bad productivity! When's the last time you donated 3/4 of a ton of food to help the needy? LeadNow grads are awesome!
Less is More (July 20-26)
If someone came up to us at KidLead and said, "I'd like to pay for our entire school to go through the LeadNow training program," we'd graciously say, "We're sorry, it doesn't work that way." KidLead believes in the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social and character development of every child. Yet, our specialty is in identifying and developing the leadership potential of those who demonstrate the 10-20% highest observable aptitude for leading. Our work with 10-13 year olds the past few years has taught us that those with highest leadership aptitude learn how to lead faster and enjoy it more than others. We believe that by keeping our focus on those with the capacity to influence others more and better, we significantly improve the positive outcome. While there's a good hearted sense in our culture that everyone should learn to be a leader, life and history do not reflect that reality. We believe that the best strategy is to focus on the few in order to benefit the many. When those most gifted at learning use their influence constructively, others benefit by being able to use their unique abilities in healthy teams and organizations. As in Gifted and Talented programs academically, and club level sports athletically, everyone has unique concentrations of aptitude and talent that should be developed. Research in the field of positive psychology shows us that tapping our strengths are most apt to result in productive outcomes, versus concentrating on weaknesses. While LeadNow and LeadWell training programs are not designed for large scale, ya'll-come participation, we're convinced that by concentrating on the minority with higher aptitudes, we benefit the majority over the long haul.
KidLead Interacts w/Nickelodeon Staff (July 13-19)
Last week, KidLead connected with a research staff member for Nickelodeon, one of the premier companies focusing on preteens and part of the MTV network. Nickelodeon does much of it's own research and is proprietary, so specific issues were not discussed. But the staff member did recommend resources for KidLead's ongoing networking and learning in this specialty. The researcher went on to say, "I'm very impressed with KidLead. One thing we're learning is that the rising, digitally influenced generation is more informed and connected than any other in history and they're concerned about both local and global issues. This is the perfect time to show these young leaders how to lead effectively."
Connecting at Stanford University (CA) (July 6-12)
Dr. Nelson met with staff members from two organizations on Stanford University campus this week, Challenge Success (www.challengesuccess.org) and the John Gardner Center (www.gardnercenter.stanford.edu), both affiliated with the School of Education. Challenge Success focuses on helping schools, parents and students, learn the importance of balance in formidable years and to avoid unhealthy pressures of performance that drive many students to cheating, stress, depression, and even suicide. The John Gardner Center provides programs and research dealing with youth in leadership and community in a variety of applications. The goal of these meetings was to begin to explore possibilities of networking and viable partnerships and research opportunities.
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! (June 29-Jul 5) KidLead PRESS RELEASE
New Book: ‘Growing Great Leaders’ Says Training Should Begin at 10
Includes Personal Interviews with Steven Covey, Ken Blanchard, Mike Huckabee, George Foreman & John Maxwell
Monterey, CA, June 30, 2009 – After more than a decade of training adults and then focusing solely on preteens, leadership development specialist Dr. Alan E. Nelson has compiled a virtual field guide in his new book, “KidLead: Growing Great Leaders” for parents, teachers and coaches interested in developing the leadership potential in their children.
“The bottom line is that we’re giving these kids a 10-20 year head start from when most leadership training begins,” says Nelson, founder of KidLead, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing effective, ethical leaders while they’re young. “Imagine what any of us would do with that kind of jump on the competition.”
The problem is society generally perceives leading as an adult quality, failing to identify and develop leadership while individuals are still moldable, says Nelson. He notes that moral psychologists establish 14 as the age when our character is pretty much set. “In fact, most world cultures perform their rights of passage into adulthood between the ages of 12-14, so why shouldn’t leaders be identified by or before this age?”
Nelson includes interviews with leaders and leadership experts such as Steven Covey, Ken Blanchard, Mike Huckabee, John Maxwell and George Foreman. The book addresses the societal problem of finding effective, ethical leaders and shares best practices from what trainers have learned during the prototype years of working with preteen leaders in his LeadNow training program.
The book also provides the indicators of leadership aptitude, exposes ways that adults inadvertently shut down young leaders, and ways that teachers and parents can create leader-friendly conditions for developing their budding CEO’s, presidents, and community activists.
With a master’s degree in psychology-communication and doctorate in leadership from the
Book Availability
The book is set for a July release date.
See cover artwork and sample chapter at: www.kidlead.com/414774.ihtml.
To order, go to www.amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1-4392-3815-8
Format: Non-fiction
Monterey County LeadNow Club Strives for a "Ton of Fun" (June 21-28)
Believing that giving people are happy people, fifteen of the Monterey (CA) area Blue module grads have set out to raise 2,000 pounds of food to benefit the poor in their area, called "A Ton of Fun." They brainstormed and then voted on a project to see if they can make an impact in an areas that has seen a 70% increase in the homeless over the last 2 years due to the economy. Each Leader is responsible for developing a team that will strive to raise nearly 140 lbs. of food, culminating in a "serve the seniors" day on July 23. Justin White is the 13 year old executive director, working with 3 Team Leaders: Gina Morales, Courtney Creel, and Casey Bell. We'll report back in a month to let you know how they did in spite of vacations and camps.
Types of Kids Who Benefit from LeadNow Training (June 14-20)
Following a 2-Saturday Blue Module intensive in Monterey, CA, I was reminded of the types of young leaders whom we see in the program and the way they benefit from this style of concentrated training. There are 4 categories we see the most:
1. Boss Moss: This individual confuses leadership with bossing people around. Unfortunately, the controlling, autocratic mindset is quite common in adulthood, but LeadNow coaching can soften this trait and teach a more socially intelligent approach to team building. One way they discover this is by the adult Koach feedback as well as learning how to be a good team mate in a context of mutual learning and direct supervision.
2. Timid Tim: This individual has legitimate leadership aptitude, as opposed to someone with a low capacity to learn leading, but during our training we see this person step up in confidence and exude assertiveness. Again, this is created by a structured setting where a Koach provides ideas and affirms more overt leader behaviors. It's fun to see these "Tims" step up their leading by mid-module.
3. Balanced Brooke: This leader already has a pretty solid approach to leading, but the real benefit we see in this category is improved confidence and skill expansion. Because most kids have little experience where they've been the leader in formal settings with Koaching, "Brooke" types quickly embrace the lessons and activities that add skills and tools to a foundation that is ready for learning and improvement.
4. Breakthrough Bob: These are the young leaders who literally blossom in front of your eyes as they begin to see themselves as leaders. They legitimately belong in the LeadNow training because adults have seen their aptitude, but they don't think of themselves as leaders. This internal change in psyche is pretty exciting when the young leader discovers his/her wiring to be a leader. It is the sleeping giant awakened.
Bullet Point Updates on LeadNow's Progress (June 1-13)
* Dr. Nelson met with a dozen organizations in San Diego County, CA, to discuss the opportunities of LeadNow training. We have head nods for fall launches at Shadow Mountain Church and the Joan Kroc Center, with several others expressing excitement.
* Cherry Hills Christian School, Colorado's premier faith-based school let us know they plan to launch LeadNow this fall.
* Benjamin-Eaton Elementary School in Colorado launched the Blue-Character Module June 1 with 20 Leaders.
* LeadNow comes to California with a Monterey launch of the Blue-Character Module, June 6 & 13 with 20 Leaders.
* Chip Heather, Stanford professor and co-author of the bestselling business book, "Made to Stick", provided a consultation with KidLead on designing it's presentation to the public.
* Dr. Nelson met with Barry Posner, co-author of the bestselling business book, "The Leadership Challenge" and the Dean of the Business School at Santa Clara University, to discuss ideas for developing KidLead into a national entity.
Interns in Line to Promote Book (May 25-31)
The book, KidLead: Growing Great Leaders isn't out yet, but it's in its final stages of preparation before release. We're lining up a public relations strategy to contact the media, whether print, radio, television or other. We have the opportunity to work with a couple of college interns to help us contact the media. Alan will be available for interviews and other promotional opportunities. If you'd like a sneak peak at the front and back covers, click HERE.
First Pennsylvania Club Finishes Successfully (May 18-24)
We talked to Certified Trainer, Denise McBride, about her first experience in running a LeadNow Club.
What Schools Are Seeing in LeadNow (May 11-17)
Last week, The Oaks School (www.oakschristian.org) in Westlake Village, CA, communicated with us that they want to have 3-5 trainers certified and plan to use it as one of their day time courses. So what are premier schools like The Oaks seeing in LeadNow that is attractive? Leadership development among youth is growing in popularity. As the preteen influence in America grows (i.e. High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Disney, Nickelodeon, plus two preteens in the White House), we'll see how talented this sector is and what influence they wield. No other leadership training program in America is designed for 10-13 year olds, so that when educators and youth workers see what LeadNow entails, they automatically gravitate toward it. The program provides a much needed resource. Several other schools and churches are taking the program through their own processes. We excitedly await the day when any future leader desiring training will be within drive time of a LeadNow program.
More Schools Planning to Launch LeadNow (May 4-10)
This week, Carmel River Elementary School in Carmel, CA (www.carmelunified.org/river) and Yavneh Day School in Los Gatos, CA (www.yavnehdayschool.org) expressed plans to launch LeadNow programs this fall in their schools. Excitement builds as more schools catch the vision of concentrated leadership training for preteens. The National Association of Independent Schools recently noted that youth leadership development is more and more becoming a priority among independent schools. KidLead will be featured at the Elevate preteen conference in Rocklin, CA (www.elevateleadersconference.com) next week and Dr. Nelson will be speaking at Capistrano Valley Christian School (San Juan Capistrano, CA) May 4 at 7PM and meeting with premier private schools in the Denver, CO metro area on May 7.
7 Benefits of Schools Using LeadNow Training (April 27-May 3)
1. You can rest assured you’re providing the very finest leadership training, with the added potential of generating revenue for this value-added service.
2. You reduce classroom disruptions as natural leaders learn to use their influence constructively.
3. You are likely to attract families and/or potential donors in the community who understand and value leadership development in addition to good academics.
4. You cultivate experienced leaders for your upper grades and who are positive influencers of younger students.
5. You gain reputation in your community as a schools that develops exceptional leaders, more attractive to other schools and colleges.
6. You give your young leaders a 10-20 year head start on others. These alumni are likely to remain indebted for this training they received.
7. You gain public relations opportunities as young leaders lead community service projects they design out of their training experience.LeadNow Launches in Pennsylvania (April 20-26)
KidLead's preteen training program adds another state to its growth as Certified Trainer, Denise McBride, leads a 4 Saturday morning format of the Red Module. Denise is an entrepreneur and businesswoman who attended a graduate class taught by Dr. Nelson. Her excitement for the concept grew, so that she flew to the west coast to attend a trainer certification in Monterey. What is unique about this module is that it is being hosted by Prudential Realty, offering it as a benefit to employee's children as well as opening it up to the community.
KidLead Invited to Present in Silicon Valley (April 13-19)
KidLead received an invitation to present its vision and mission to a dynamic group of business professionals in the Silicon Valley (CA). Steve Stenstrom, former Stanford University football quarterback and NFL player, leads this group called Barnabas. The network meets quarterly to interact with 2-4 nonprofit leaders, for the possibility of partnering in talent, connections, expertise or resources. On May 28, Dr. Nelson will be one of three presenters for this gracious group of professionals.
National Magazine Cover Article (April 6-12)
Dr. Nelson is the author a magazine article featured as its May/June '09 cover story. Children's Ministry Magazine is the #1 periodical among those who work with children and preteens in the faith-community. The article discusses the strategic importance of connecting with leaders during 4 pivotal years, 10-13. Leadership development was also discussed in the latest issue of NAIS magazine (National Association of Independent Schools). This growing interest in identifying and developing young leaders is a strong indicator that KidLead is on target.
West Coast Pilot School Launch (March 30-April 5)
This spring and summer, we are offering premier, private schools along the West Coast of the United States, an opportunity to become a part of our national pilot program to launch LeadNow training, along with our research on young leader development. Each preteen Leader selected into the program has 2 Social Influence Surveys (SIS) submitted for them. After completing 2 training modules, 2 more SIS forms will be gathered as a mid-program assessment. These will then be compared to a comparable group of preteens who did not go through the training. Since practically no research exists on young leaders, KidLead is excited to be a pioneer in this field. The goal is to not only improve our own training programs, but also help others in identifying and developing future influencers. If you know of someone in a private school or homeschool network with 50 or more 10-13 year olds enrolled, please pass the word.
E-Newsletter Launches (March 23-29)
We are excited to announce that beginning this week, we'll begin a FREE monthly e-newsletter that will include leadership expert interviews, recommended resources, a Tip of the Month, and updates on what's happening as KidLead gets going. We're very excited about this opportunity to fan the flames of developing young leaders. We want to educate parents, teachers, and children's workers. You can sign up for this service at our website and forward it to others as you find it helpful.
Capistrano Valley Christian School Adds LeadNow (March 16-22)
One of the premier faith-based private schools in California, Capistrano Valley Christian School (www.cvcs.org), will soon be adding LeadNow as its preteen leadership development program. "I can't believe it's so easy," Dr. Dave Baker, Head of Schools commented. "These days, schools need to do more than provide quality academics. Parents are looking for distinctives that will give their children an advantage." "This is just what we've been looking for," added Rick White, elementary and junior high principal. After their trainer certification, CVCS plans to launch the LeadNow program this fall. They also plan to host trainer certification, so if you're interested in participating, please contact KidLead. Discussions are also being finalized for an August trainer certification in Phoenix, AZ and there's a possibility of a May 9 trainer certification in Greeley, CO. Contact KidLead if you are interested.
Preteens in the News (March 9-15)
More and more we're hearing about preteens, as Disney and Nickelodeon have captured the vibe and fanned the flames of this micro-culture, now 20,000,000 strong. More and more people are recognizing what history has known, that young people really can be influential. A February article in USA Today expands on this, noting we're apt to hear a lot more about this segment since the Obama girls are now both official preteens (8-12 years old). KidLead is rolling out Monterey's Lead50, a goal of identifying and training 50 promising young leaders in the Monterey Peninsula (CA) and introducing LeadNow training to this part of the country as well. KidLead now has certified trainers in 4 states and we're lining up an August training in the Phoenix metro area. Pass the word.
It’s cooler than ever to be a tween, but is childhood lost?
KidLead Founder Meets with Salinas City Officials (March 2-8)
Last week, Dr. Nelson met with the Mayor and Chief of Police of Salinas, CA. Salinas is known as the salad bowl of America, producing 80% of lettuce alone. It is in a fertile valley just east of the Monterey peninsula and home to Pulitzer Prize winning author, John Steinbeck. But Salinas has been plagued with gang violence, with 24 killings in '08 for a city just under 150K, and 9 murders the first 2 months of '09. KidLead's vision of targeting leaders while they're still moldable addresses the root of gang violence, as new leaders tend to be recruited during preteen years. At the same time, city officials noted that the problem is also systemic to the family culture. While KidLead offers the finest preadolescent leadership training curriculum, we still acknowledge the vital role that parents and family members play in the life of a young leader. KidLead is planning two launch programs in Monterey County, one for the peninsula and one for Salinas, two distinct demographics, but both ripe with future leaders.
1st LeadNow Clubs Launch (Feb. 23-March 1)
On February 11, Trainer Nina Lewis launched the first self-run LeadNow training module at Benjamin-Eaton Elementary School in Eaton, CO (Red Character-Based). On Feb. 24, Trainer Randy Henckel, along with Trainers Chris Conradson and Sarah Rowley, begin the first self-run, faith-based module (Green) in Fort Collins, CO at Faith EV Free Church. We applaud these trainers and the parents for beginning what will become a national network of young leader training clubs. For more updates on these and other training events, you can click on Training, KidLead Programs, and then Scheduled Events.
KidLead Trainer Tiffany Miller in News (Feb. 16-22)
KidLead Trainer, Tiffany Miller, who is a school teacher in Fort Collins, CO, was recently featured in the Coloradoan newspaper. Tiffany dreams of starting a leadership oriented school in her life and has several years of experience running teen leadership programs around the country. She is an example of the caliber of people who are being 
drawn to become KidLead Certified trainers. Tiffany is also mentioned in the upcoming KidLead book, sharing ideas she uses to develop leaders in her class room.
KidLead trainers are independent "agents" who are able to use the LeadNow and LeadWell curriculum after application and training. If you are a leader and enjoy working with preteens and teens, or know of someone who is/does, then pass the word on this opportunity to bring America's top leadership training for preteens to your organization and community. KidLead has 20 trainers at this point and will eventually need thousands to impact the future the way we dream.
KidLead "Growing Great Leaders" Book Announced (Feb. 9-15)
This is sure to become a landmark book in the field of young leadership development. Dr. Nelson, founder of KidLead, is the author of a new book that will be released in late spring. The book provides an overview of the KidLead philosophy and best practices, developed during the prototype and piloting phases of the training modules. Plus, Alan was able to interview notable leaders such as John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, John Kotter, Stephen Covey, Laurie Beth Jones, Mike Huckabee, George Foreman and others, for their insights on how they developed their children and/or young leaders. Instead of seeking a celebrity to write the Foreword, Dr. Nelson thought he'd better practice what he preaches, so 11-year old and 12-year old LeadNow participants wrote them. The book will be distributed through Amazon.com. We'll keep you informed as to its progress.
KidLead Announces Its Official Grand Opening! (Feb. 2-8)
This week is our GRAND OPENING here at KidLead. While we've been prototyping our training curriculum over the last three years and we've begun launching this unoffocially for 3-4 months, KidLead is excited to announce officially what we're OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Our long term vision is to train tens of thousand of young leaders globally, from our humble beginnings. Dr. Alan E. Nelson, founder of KidLead, resigned from a leadership role in a national publishing company, to invest his life to raise tens of thousands of effective, ethical leaders. After relocating to the Monterey, CA area, KidLead has taken shape and is hanging out it's "open for business" sign.
* www.kidlead.com website is revised and updated, providing a more user-friendly interface and updated info.
* The Social Influence Survey is now online and includes an automated report so that parents can get results on their child in just a few minutes. This is a FREE service of KidLead, designed to promote education and research.
* Our first training materials were shipped to our first Trainer-led club. Nina Lewis is launching the Red Character-Based Module at Benjamin-Eaton Elementary School in Eaton, CO. Our pilot program there resulted in a waiting list with wonderful feedback and results.
* Dr. Nelson will be presenting at a national children's leader's conference in San Diego, CA this week, where KidLead will have it's first convention exhibit booth. He will also be speaking at Baylor University, Waco, TX, and then to a group of business leadership in Orange County, CA.
*The final manuscript for KidLead, the book, is wrapping up production, to be released in late May, '09.
*Monterey's Lead50 event is announced, a Monterey County (CA) goal of identifying 50 promising leadership for training intensives April 28 and May 2.
*At least 3 more clubs are scheduled for the spring, including 2 in Fort Collins, CO and 1 in Lancaster, PA.
