Unlocking Hidden Potential in Students

In his book, “Hidden Potential,” organizational psychologist Adam Grant makes the claim: “Every person has hidden potential, and the responsibility of a leader is to recognize it and develop it.” As parents and leaders, here are four ways in which we can do that most effectively.

Coaching

• Principle: we can learn almost anything with the right motivation and opportunity. A good coach makes learning fun and cultivates people in a way that lasts for life. Coaches serve as empathetic guides. They remember what it was like starting out, they ask good questions, and they don’t just teach—they stir up a desire to learn.

• Practice: Our adult leaders will stay with the same students for at least 2 years, the goal being that they not only specialize in their subject, but also in their students. Each student will be encouraged to find a mentor and to develop a personalized growth plan.

Culture

• Principle: culture is shaped by our practices, values, and underlying assumptions. Culture matters more than anything we say from stage, and therefore, culture carriers are just as important as culture casters.

• Practice: we want a culture that embraces the spirit of “that we may.” It is a culture driven by delight and love, the opposite of duty and obligation. It’s a culture that equips students to make disciples, believes in the importance of Spiritual Formation, and encourages them to live out their faith in everyday life.

Calling

• Principle: students need to have a mission that's meaningful to them and consequential to the world around them. Otherwise, church loses its meaning, and where there is no vision, the people perish.

• Practice: We will create opportunities for students to serve others in a meaningful way, get them dreaming, remind them they matter, prod them to get out of their comfort zone, and resource them to find purpose. The goal is to help them figure out what God put them on earth to do (Eph. 2:10).

Character

• Principle: character allows you to grow beyond your tendencies. It's less about having principles, and more about the learned ability to live by those principles. Students need character if they are going to succeed in life.

• Practice: Character is built by intentionally engaging in activities / disciplines that stretch you, then reflecting and growing. This is best done in community, which is why we encourage students to be in small groups that are less focused on teaching content, and more focused on application. We want students to put their faith into practice and see how they grow as a result.