A Mentoring Tip

The following ritual will promote success as you interact with your students.

Reminder #1. We have learned that maintaining a business relationship with the children enhances your chances for long term success. What we suggest is that each time you greet your children, exchange pleasantries and then ritualistically ask the following questions

Why am I here?...They should respond by saying: “To take care of business”

What is the business? They should respond: “Wisdom”

Let’s get busy…Turn to page__ Or what did we talk about last week.

This practice accomplishes many things, several of which are:

• Reminds the children of the business nature of your relationship.
• Reestablishes wisdom as the focal point for your meeting.
• Set the stage for your time with them.

Reminder #2. The Talks Leadership male or female thesis statements should be recited and memorized. I suggest that you recite them at the beginning of each session. Each the thesis statement is followed by an explanation of that thesis statement. By the end of the year, the children should memorize both the statement and the explanation. Have the children memorize all of the following.  Be sure to break it up into sections to make it easier for them.

 The Talks Leadership Male Thesis Statement: Every boy needs a man in his face challenging him with wisdom regarding critical issues and decisions in his life.

Explanation: Every boy needs a man who will firmly, unflinchingly and lovingly correct him with wisdom when he has made a bad decision. Our prisons are full of young men who had no one to get in their face and tell them that they were wrong and then provide them with a solution.

Make the point with the boys that not only do boys need men who will challenge them but men need men who will challenge them with wisdom. Consider the President of the United States who meets with smart men who challenge him with wisdom each day. All successful business men have other men who challenge them with wisdom.

The Talks Leadership Female Thesis Statement: Every girl needs a woman in her world challenging her with wisdom regarding critical issues and decisions in her life.

Explanation: Every girl needs a concerned adult female who is physically, mentally, and emotionally available to her; who will lovingly deal with nonproductive attitudes; and who will share insight and life experiences with her.

Make the point with the girls that successful women have wise women who challenge their thinking to see if they are making the best decisions. Only a foolish woman refuses to open herself up to the wisdom of mature wise women.