Rising Stars: A Key Insight of Understanding to Truly Develop Your Rising Stars

For this blog, I will offer a key insight about developing your Rising Stars - one that many do not truly see. While this insight applies to leading anyone, I will focus specifically on Rising Stars because this is where the real application becomes most evident.

Rising Stars: A Key Insight of Understanding to Truly Develop Your Rising Stars

First, let me highlight a truth about leadership and developing your Rising Star. Some of you may remember from previous blogs that I have shared examples of how this applies in developing my non-biological great-grandchildren. Allow me to bring forward a key truth that directly connects to this.

This truth was presented by Dr. David Jeremiah in a faith-based talk, but its application goes far beyond faith-based settings and applies directly to developing people. I will first present the quote and then expand on several key related concepts. In his talk, Dr. Jeremiah highlighted a core truth related to the concept of discipline.

The quote is:

“Discipline for Disobedience;…..Not For Mistakes!”

 -  Dr. David Jeremiah

Realize that many stories of development go far beyond the superficial rules that may have been dictated by a parent or authority figure. Many parents today do not help their Rising Stars develop true mental awareness of situations or guide them in learning how to process those situations effectively.

Key Leadership & Neuroscience Truth and Application

Historically, parents and leaders have often simply told Rising Stars what to do, how to do it, and what to think. When this happens, leadership becomes dysfunctional. It shuts off their brains and prevents them from preparing for their future.

As parents, leaders, and mentors, we do not want to dictate in a way that shuts down mental processing and Neuroscience growth. As Rising Stars grow, their development is based on their mental processing and decision-making - not merely on following instructions. You do not want to shut off their real mental processing.

As your Rising Star works through situations, real growth and development occur through experience. The situation itself brings true awareness to their mind, even though they may still be developing clarity. Moving through the situation allows the brain to identify the real factors involved. As their awareness grows, mistakes may occur. Keep in mind that mistakes do not indicate failure or disobedience. In many cases, they are a natural and necessary part of the growth and development journey. Applying discipline to mistakes is dysfunctional and does not lead to the outcomes you are seeking.

However, when there is true disobedience, discipline may be appropriate. I challenge the reader to increase clarity and awareness in order to truly understand the difference in your Rising Star between mistakes and disobedience.

This is a key truth for developing Rising Stars, but it applies at every level of leadership. When I train and certify jet pilots, I use a training approach that differs significantly from many others. Applying the principle quoted by Dr. David Jeremiah is beneficial even in this highly technical environment.

Let me offer an example.

About four years ago, I trained a jet pilot and helped him become fully certified to fly the aircraft we were working with. He later mailed me a card and wrote the following:

“Randy, I want to Thank You for presenting the Challenger 601 in an entertaining andthought provoking way. I am a better pilot because of you!” -  Thanks, Tim

This example involves an adult, yet it is directly applicable to interacting with Rising Stars. When you follow Dr. David Jeremiah’s quote and its underlying principle, Rising Stars truly learn and gain situational awareness. Their brains are not kept superficial or shut down. Instead, they are allowed to build, grow, and process real factors, truth, and successful solutions.

Questions for Reflection

1. How do you need to focus your involvement in their growth so that you do not distract them, but instead build their mental processing?

2. What must you be aware of so that you apply discipline appropriately, but NOT for mistakes?

3. What must you change to truly model and inspire their growth and leadership development - not based on your own view, but aligned with their truthful, successful dreams and vision?

-

Randy Swaim, Coaching for Relevance, LLC