Tim Elmore at #d62012

Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of Growing Leaders, whose goal is to develop young leaders to transform society.  He has written more than 20 books.  Check out this site here


"Here is a kid growing up too fast and growing up too slow simultaneously."

"26 is the new 18."
"Adolescence doesn't end until 34 years old."

The Big Debate: Are Students Growing Up Too Fast or Too Slowly?



Artificial Maturity: What is it?

• Students are over-exposed to information far earlier than they are ready.
• Students are under-exposed to real life experiences far later than they are ready.

Ancient Wisdom "Knowledge"

• "GINOSKO"-to be aware of; to be informed; to become acquainted with
• How is it fostered?
• Internet passage; no boundaries to data;
• "OIDA"-to fully perceive and understand through experience.
• How is it missing?
• Adult fear of risk; fear of letting them fail or get hurt; we are safety obsessed; we structure the days through their childhood

Meet Generation iY-My term for the newest batch of students due to the impact of the internet and technology: iTunes, iPhones, iChat, iPods, iMovies, iPads . . for many, life is pretty much about "I"






The World of Generation iY

1. Parental Control
2. Technology Central
3. Affirmation Constant
4. Expectations Lofty
5. Schedules Structured
6. Feedback Immediate
7. Upload Available (Why don't you want my opinion?)
8. Stress Rising

"Students support what they help create."


At this point, Elmore showed a skit from SNL about this generation called "You Can Do Anything." Watch it here.

A Common Psychological State in Students Today:

• High Arrogance/Low Self-Esteem

Our Leadership Must Be A Balancing Act

• Chess or Checkers: Mediocre Leaders treat all people as checkers instead of chess where pieces have special function
• 3 Kinds of Students
• Driver
• Diplomat
• Dreamer
• Velvet Covered Brick (Grace & Truth): Need us to be responsive to them, but also demanding
• Rivers & Floods (Water flowing in one direction or flowing everywhere): Be targeted and focused in our ministry (clear messages)
• Childhood Messages (You are loved, unique, gifts, safe, valuable)
• Adolescence Messages (Life is difficult, You are not in control, You are not that important, You are going to die, Your life is not about you)
• Drivers & Passengers-We have conditioned younger generations to be passengers in life rather than drivers.  Fourth Balancing Act includes:
• Autonomy
• Responsibility
• Information

"Amen or Ouch"

Elmore closed by sharing a rite of passage he did with his daughter.  They together chose six ladies to be a one day mentor for their daughter. Ladies were asked to share one life lesson during the day together. After all six ladies had spent the day together, the ladies were invited to a meal provided by their daughter who then read a thank you letter to each of them.  Following this, the ladies again blessed the daughter including a blessing from her parents. For more information, Elmore shares about this in his book, Generation iY.