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THE 24 CORE SESSIONS |
We refer to the first 24 sessions of the Great Expectations process as the core program. Each session is designed for delivery in 2 hours and 15 minutes, although some minor local adjustments may be necessary for classes with over 35 members. The core program provides the essential elements of the 10 focus areas of the Great Expectations process, each of which is then fortified and built upon during the two post-graduate reinforcement phases, Encore and Embed. SESSION ONE: WELCOME TO THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS PROGRAM! The purpose of the first session is to give class members a chance to get acquainted with one another, hear details about the various sessions of the training and begin to give some careful thought to course-related goals and objectives. An initial group speaking opportunity is also included to give class members a sense of the group dynamic and the helpful teaching techniques used in the program. SESSION TWO: YOUR INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH & IMPROVEMENT The purpose of this session is the demonstrating of growth potential and how personal improvement can be brought about quickly via a combination of new tools and habits. Included is an intriguing memory demonstration used to dramatize the latent potential of students, a name remembering exercise and a small group goal-setting activity used to bring focus to individual program-related objectives. SESSION THREE: THE BUILDING OF SELF-CONFIDENCE & SELF-ESTEEM This important session is devoted to an initial exploration of self-confidence and self-esteem, including how each develops over time, how each is diminished, and how individual development can be accelerated and secured. Twelve (12) time-tested "confidence-boosters" are provided as a foundation for future sessions, and as a way to begin the process of building stronger and more resilient confidence and self-esteem levels. This session also includes the introduction of the "Good News" segment, a discussion of "the 10 greatest human fears", and the first significant group presentation, a 2-minute talk about a memorable childhood experience. SESSION FOUR: YOU'RE MORE ACCOMPLISHED THAN YOU THINK! This inspiring session is all about the acknowledging of important achievements, and helping class members recognize and appreciate the noteworthy accomplishments they've already accumulated in life. Session emphasis is placed on events that made each class member proud and/or grateful, and includes the creating of an Achievement List by each person. Achievement Lists have been used for decades by thousands of busy, ambitious people as a source of courage and inspiration during difficult or challenging times. The session concludes with a final round of 2-minute talks and the presentation of several competitive awards. SESSION FIVE: THE TWO SELDOM-RECOGNIZED SECRETS OF SUCCESS There are many roads to success in life, and many sources of happiness. This pivotal session is devoted to two critically important components of each: enthusiasm and a positive mental attitude. Also included is a small group activity designed to bring focus to both issues, and a discussion about the 6 Great Ways to Become a More Positive Person and the 4 Great Ways to Become a More Enthusiastic Person. Key points are also reinforced during the delivery of a fresh round of confidence-building presentations focused on the learning of a major life lesson. SESSION SIX: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING This exciting session builds on the results of Session #5 and is devoted to another major building-block of self-confidence: The developing of even more positive, optimistic, "can-do" attitudes. Special emphasis is placed on helping each class member identify and set at least one "attitude" goal serving as the basis for an important application project and report at Session #11. Additional discussion about the personal Achievement Lists is also included in this session as the corrected/graded copies of the lists are returned to class members. The session concludes with the second half of the class delivering inspiring presentations on a major life lesson. SESSION SEVEN: BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER & STRONGER! The Creating of Exponential Effects This is the famous "busting loose" session of the program. Class members participate in a series of fun-filled purposeful exercises, and then demonstrate their ability to organize their thoughts and deliver a powerful, emotion-filled talk on a topic they have strong feelings about. The purpose of the assignment is to provide students with compelling evidence of their latent leadership potential, and their ability to organize and express their thoughts in interesting, inspiring ways. SESSION EIGHT: PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD This session is focused on perception, and the building of a reputation for honesty, integrity and reliability. A distinction is drawn between the adopting of personal qualities and characteristics, and the acquiring of skills and abilities. A small group activity helps elaborate on the distinction, while building a description of a model leader. Students use a brainstorming tool called IWWCW to explore the topic in detail and develop a clear follow-up strategy for the building of an appropriate leadership reputation. SESSION NINE: PUBLIC SPEAKING MADE EASY! The focus of this session is extemporaneous speaking, and the developing of the ability to think clearly, quickly and with poise before a group of any size. Students are taught specific techniques used by professional speakers, businesspeople and politicians, and then practice them via a series of entertaining speaking opportunities. The Great Expectations process uses impromptu speaking exercises on several occasions to build the concentration skills of class members, and strengthen each person's ability to respond quickly to challenges and think clearly under pressure. SESSION TEN: BUILDING ON STRENGTHS This powerful session is looked upon by many as among the most memorable of the entire program. The focus is on learning to identify and appreciate the strengths in others, and how to use strength-based comments as a stepping stone to better, more respect-based interpersonal relationships. Class members develop their abilities in this regard via an enlightening small group exercise. In addition to providing a valuable tool for the building of better relationships, this session is also widely viewed as one of the biggest contributors to increased confidence and self-esteem, as every student also receives a series of detailed reminders about his or her unique strengths and positive qualities. A note-writing exercise is also introduced at this session as is a special provision, The Class Mailbox, for the identifying and reporting of positive attributes in fellow class members. SESSION ELEVEN: THE POWER OF POSITIVISM, OPTIMISM & ENTHUSIASM This extremely valuable and interesting session builds upon both Session #10 and Session #6. First, a series of volunteer reports are given about the feedback generated by the note-writing project in Session #10, followed by a more formal report from each class member about the responses generated by the delivery of strength-centered comments to important others. This is further reinforced by more detailed talks about the promise made during Session #6 to begin living with greater enthusiasm and positivism. A number of fun exercises are also introduced at this session, as is a new contest, Instant Inspiration, designed to bring focus to the reading assignments. SESSION TWELVE: THE SUSTAINING OF FOCUS & DISCIPLINE This session represents the mid-point of the core program and is dedicated to assessing the progress to date of class members. Session #12 is also the point at which many instructors begin to raise even higher their expectations as a way of motivating students to peak performance and achievement. Class members invest time re-evaluating their goals for the program and comparing the progress made to date with their expectations at Session #1. In the overwhelming majority of cases, students report their growth and improvement has far exceeded their original expectations, yet remains only a fraction of what they now predict by Session #24. This session also includes a vote for a number of class officers and representatives, and important application talks from the second half of the class on the commitment at Session #6 to begin living with greater enthusiasm and positivism. SESSION THIRTEEN: APPLIED PROBLEM-SOLVING & DECISION-MAKING This is another one of the most popular and memorable sessions of the entire process. Class members are presented with a "survival" simulation requiring careful analysis and the cooperation of others, and then asked to make a series of important decisions that will determine whether or not the group "survives" its ordeal. Valuable problem-solving and decision-making tools are taught in advance to help with the analysis and execution, and all decisions and results are compared to the recommendations of survival experts. The benefits of this session are as important as they are numerous, partly because everything that happens relates directly to real-world situations confronted routinely by adult workers and professionals. This session provides teenagers with an excellent view of how complex problems are analyzed by capable managers and executives, and how smart decisions are made and executed upon. A system to measure team (decision-making) synergy is also provided as are ways to improve both team and individual decision-making effectiveness. SESSION FOURTEEN: GETTING THINGS DONE! This entertaining and enlightening session builds upon the results of Session #13 by introducing class members to 3 extremely practical and useful time management tools: The "To-Do" List, The Activities Grid and The Gantt Chart. Students re-examine the results they achieved in Session #13 in view of the three new tools, then practice applying each of them to specific and yet unresolved "survival-related" problems. The result is a far greater ability to harness the collective wisdom and energy of all involved, get critical work accomplished faster and better, and dramatically increase the likelihood of eventual success (i.e. survival). Also included in this session is a detailed discussion and explanation of The 12 Best Ways We Know to Get Important Work Done Quickly, Well & On-Time, plus focus on the dangers of procrastination. SESSION FIFTEEN: HOW TO MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION! This highly practical and helpful session is dedicated to an extremely important leadership skill often under-emphasized or overlooked entirely by other leadership training programs: The making of a solid first impression. Students explore carefully the basis of first impressions, and the personal qualities and habits that tend to evoke both a positive and a negative initial reaction in others. This is followed by a discussion of the S-T-A-R formula, the 2 central components of good impressions, and how teens can dramatically improve their chances of making a great first impression on influential others, including college admission officers and those conducting job interviews. The session closes with a fresh round of class member presentations about the successful application of a major program concept or principle. SESSION SIXTEEN: THE BUILDING OF RAPPORT This session builds upon the benefits of Session #15 and Session #8. Key aspects about the developing and demonstrating of social grace are explored, and then combined with a multi-step tool to help class members initiate, sustain and bring to a polite close a social conversation. Also included in this session is a detailed discussion about The 8 Best Ways to Build Positive Relationships and The 10 Best Ways to Earn Trust & Respect, followed by an Instant Inspiration Contest and the second round of class member talks about the successful application of a major program concept or principle. SESSION SEVENTEEN: THE 3 GREAT STRENGTHS OF EVERY TRULY GREAT LEADER This powerful session brings together all of the key leadership lessons and principles covered thus far in the program. Class members analyze the components of the "3 great strengths", and then begin a detailed exploration of the first two. This is accompanied by an instructor-led discussion of leadership (literary) classics and a series of reenactments of great American speeches designed to generate additional "quantum leaps" in confidence and self-esteem. SESSION EIGHTEEN: ACHIEVING RESULTS THROUGH OTHERS This session is devoted to the third of The 3 Great Strengths of Every Truly Great Leader. Emphasis is placed on the 3 parts of an Assignment Results Description (ARD), and the identifying of related S-M-A-R-T goals. Time is also invested in a series of reports from class representatives about the progress on various projects. The session closes with the final round of reenactments of great American speeches, with special emphasis on the motivating of listeners. SESSION NINETEEN: THROWING IT ALL AWAY This is another one of the most powerful and moving sessions of the entire program. The purpose is the exploring of the 10 major "teen derailers" (alcohol abuse, drug abuse, teen depression, etc.), how each ruins promising lives and how each can be avoided. Special focus is placed on understanding the underlying causes of each problem, how best to resist temptation and peer pressure, and how to learn from the mistakes of others. A series of powerful presentations on one of two assigned topics closes the session and is used to reinforce key messages. SESSION TWENTY: THE MANAGING OF TENSION & STRESS Research has shown repeatedly that a majority of American teenagers feel they deal with uncomfortable levels of stress and tension on almost a daily basis. It's also shown that a failure to deal effectively with both can contribute mightily to the onset of even more serious problems, including several of the derailers discussed in Session #19. This session is designed to raise class member awareness about the dangers of excessive stress and tension, and the critical importance of seeking professional assistance should one or both become overwhelming. An informal "teen stress test" is administered to help bring focus to key contributing factors, followed by a description of the different types and dimensions of stress, a list of teen stress producers and a list of 38 time-tested stress reducers. The session ends with the final round of presentations on one of two topics related to the 10 Major Teen Derailers. SESSION TWENTY-ONE: PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER (PART I) This fascinating and inspiring session is devoted to the demonstrating of progress in the major leadership, confidence and communications-related aspects of the training via an exciting Group Speaking Championship. A special set of rules and a detailed scoring procedure involving ratings in 9 areas guide the contest, which includes a second round of talks in Session #22 and a run-off between two finalists in Session #23. Championship contest talks are typically longer than usual and include a formal introduction via a four-step formula provided to partners in advance. Many instructors view the events of Sessions #22 and #23 as an important part of their student assessment process, requiring careful preparation and maximum doses of creativity, practice and determination from class members. The session closes with an Instant Inspiration Contest, and the identifying of one of two Group Speaking Championship finalists. SESSION TWENTY-TWO: PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER (PART II) This session represents the second half of the effort to provide class members with an opportunity to demonstrate the full dimension of their growth to date in key leadership, confidence and communications-related areas. The sequence of events is nearly identical to that in Session #21, and results in not only a variety of extremely effective and creative presentations, but also the identifying of the second of two finalists in the Group Speaking Championship contest. Also included toward the end of this session is another Instant Inspiration Contest focused on the reading assignments and an (optional) update report from class officers about the plans for a graduation celebration and class yearbook. SESSION TWENTY-THREE: DEMONSTRATING YOUR KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING This session is devoted entirely to two important activities: The administering of the final examination and the identifying of the class Group Speaking Champion. Most instructors prefer to conduct the run-off round between the two contest finalists before administering the exam to give the two contestants a chance to devote their full attention to the test. Also included toward the end of this session is a final Instant Inspiration contest, a final review of the Progress Reports, a final report from the class officers, and a series of votes for those nominated for service as class assistants. SESSION TWENTY-FOUR: THE FULFILLING OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS This wonderfully moving and memorable session represents both the end of the core portion of the training and the beginning of the equally rich and exciting reinforcement phase. Most instructors like to create a kind of "celebratory mood" at this session, with party decorations, a room filled with (student) family and friends, a round of confident talks from each class member, and specially-prepared "crown" comments by the instructor. Also included is the presentation of completion certificates to qualified graduates, a variety of special awards, the distributing of the class yearbooks, and (typically) a small reception to thank parents and guardians for their support during the core phase of the process. |
THE LCG WEAVE Every session of the Great Expectations core program is linked to every other session via a unique proprietary design process called The Weave. Weave training programs generate results far beyond those based only on traditional building-block methods because of the complex network of linkages (weaves) contained between and throughout the content of each session. Weave designs take considerably longer to write and test than the vast majority of leadership programs available today, and can cost up to several million dollars to develop. When combined with comprehensive reinforcement provisions like Embed and Encore, they generate a result of unequaled quality and value. Click HERE for a peek at the Student Guide Table of Contents. ******* |
LIKE A QUALITY EDUCATION, QUALITY SKILL-BUILDING TAKES TIME Nobody can develop a world-class set of leadership skills in a few days of training, just as no one can learn to play the piano like Vladimir Horowitz or dance like Michael Flatley in a few lessons. It's just not possible. American secondary students invest about 800 hours of classroom time and homework time in each major subject area from the beginning of Grade 7 to the end of Grade 12. Doesn't it make sense to invest at least that much in the building of critical life skills? ******* |
Go GET 'em! greatexpectationsforteens.com |
AS IMPORTANT AS ANY ACADEMIC SUBJECT TO COLLEGE-BOUND TEENS "We believe the developing of a solid set of leadership skills is as important to college-bound teens as any academic subject in middle school and high school. And that it deserves an equal amount of time and attention." Franklin C. Ashby, Ph.D. 2007 Radio Interview ******* |
HIGHLY VALUABLE SECONDARY BENEFITS Independent research has shown consistently that comprehensive teen development programs like Great Expectations almost always generate a number of highly valuable secondary benefits for students and schools including: (A) Better grades and study habits for program participants, and (B) Significant reductions in drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, elite cliques and other destructive behaviors within most schools. Links to a number of quality studies can be found in the New & Noteworthy section behind the "About the Company" tab. ******* |
NEW SURVEY SHOWS PARENTS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT LEADERSHIP & COLLEGE READINESS TRAINING! Public funding for universal pre-school programs and full-day kindergarten programs enjoys widespread support today in many parts of the United States, and for good reason. Multiple studies have shown both provide very important developmental benefits to children, while also helping raise local education standards and performance levels. Yet, a 2008 LCG survey of 200 randomly-selected parents with at least one child in a public school found that those forced to choose between a new pre-school education program, a new full-day kindergarten program and a new comprehensive college readiness program overwhelmingly selected the college readiness program as their #1 choice! Click HERE for details! |
NOT MORE EDUCATION, BUT A MORE RELEVANT EDUCATION In my view, the reforming of American education will not be accomplished by any of the ideas being contemplated today by most school leaders. Not by the plans for a longer school day. Or a longer school year. Or a greater emphasis on math and science. Or higher academic standards. Or more standardized tests. Or higher teacher salaries. Or smaller class sizes. Not any of them. In my view, the key to improving American schools lies in the providing of not more education, but a more relevant education. That's where the focus needs to be. Franklin C. Ashby, Ph.D. Guest Speaker, Education Advisory Board Member, House Education and Labor Committee New York 1st Congressional District October 2009 |