How many times over the recent months have you thought about the future of education and what you would like it to look like? Today, we boast of the most advanced informed and trained civilizations in the world. James Montgomery Boice puts it best when he says, "There are few things more characteristic of our age than this. At no time in the history of the world have more things been known by more people. Education is a major industry. Yet at no time have people seemed more to lack understanding. Millions do not even know who they are, let alone why they are, or what they are doing". Hands down we have the best in skilled professionals thanks to our current system but it seems like we are missing an element. Life.
With the focus on leadership and life skills, the Team may be the perfect solution to offset an all time low in relationships, economics and wellness. Today, we witness growing mistrust of government and corporate officials. In the area of economics, ask those riddled with debt, facing unemployment or experiencing foreclosure. Our nation leads all industrial countries in heart disease and obesity as a result of poor diet and lifestyle habits. Many graduate college with huge student loans and never get a job in their chosen field.
Leadership and entrepreneurs identify problems and develop solutions. If we have so many problems at the core of our life, then it would seem there is a shortage of leaders and entrepreneurs. Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady may have discovered the biggest solution of them all with the development of the Team leadership system. This project has taken thousands and equipped them in areas that are critically important to a fuller life. Everyday another success story is told about how someone has repaired a broken relationship, fixed their finances or improved their health. There are keys missing in the current system as witnessed by the state of the country. Here are some elements that could be the future of education.
- Education should be ongoing. In todays world we don't stop learning and preparing for life after we walk out with a diploma.
- Education should be designed to help with life skills not just job skills. People struggle with fulfilling relationships, finances and a purpose for their lives.
- A training system that focuses on life skills should be taught by those who have experienced results in a particular area. In many cases, experts teach textbook theories. An example might be a marital counselor on their third marriage.
- The future of education must fit in to busy schedules. The convenience of listening while driving or in the home makes it more feasible to continue learning. Take small steps when developing the habit of reading. For example read 15 minutes a day until you can expand on the frequency or duration.
- Education should encompass all senses. Hearing, reading and associating stimulate all neurological pathways.
- The association should have positive reinforcement to create a learning culture. Encouragement, appreciation and recognition are critical for those wanting to improve in life skills.
- Our current system teaches how to study materials to be taken on the test. In life, the test is taken and then we study to improve. Trying takes courage. Our society is so anti failure it deters innovation and creativity. All success in any area of life comes from failing and getting back up. Without failure nothing would exist. Failure should be praised.
- The bar is constantly raised in a leadership system promoting friendly competition which brings out the best in people. In the current system the bar is always lowered for fear someone should be left behind. Boredom from lack of stimulation might account for the ADD epidemic.
- Subjects taught in the Team leadership system are the 8 F's which stand for areas people feel can make a more meaningful life. ( Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, Friends, Fun, Following and Freedom ) I often look back and wonder what % subject matter I have been taught from the traditional system that is pertinent to my life?
- Training materials should be affordable and priced by market standards. I always wanted to know who creates a monopoly on a textbook from the school system that was so overpriced because of no competition?
Is there a need for leadership? R.C. Sproul stated, "We live in the most anti intellectual time in history". Is there room for discussion and new ideas outside of old paradigms? Our friends, family, finances, country and future is at stake. Futurist Alvin Toffler states, "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn". Never before in history has there been a time like this to make a mark by making a difference. God Bless, George Guzzardo
