However you define your role as a leader, it is essential to understand how your choices impact others. As entrepreneurs, we are all leaders by default; and how we lead is critical in ensuring that everyone we come in contact with gets the best of our true, authentic selves. This is where mattering comes in. By believing that we matter, and believing that what we have to offer can change lives (and change the world) we have already taken the first critical step in running a successful business. When we feel like we matter, we bring our most true authentic selves into everything we do, and this ..read more

The rules of “Show and Tell” have not changed. The rules are simple: when you bring something in your backpack to share, you share not to outshine someone else’s backpack, but to invite your peers to ask; “tell me more about this.” We listen carefully to the thoughts and stories of others in the room. We each get a chance to share what is most important to us. Show and tell is a part of our humanness and sharing our genius with the world. We are all living in one worldwide show and tell, but we have forgotten the rules. The world is functioning at mass scale under their potential because we ar ..read more

Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash This is a guest post from Jana Scott Lindsay, an educator and learner in Saskatoon, Canada. This is a cross-post from her blog, Driving Me to Think. Why is it that we are often our own greatest obstacle to overcome? I love being a dreamer. Of imagining a world of possibilities that will shape and guide me. So then, what does it mean to dream big … I mean really? I hear these words all the time… and yet I am not sure if I really understand what they mean. Or is it I don’t value enough my own desires to actualize them? That is exactly what it was … un ..read more

Photo by “My Life Through A Lens” on Unsplash “Collaboration” has become a buzz word that we attach to any process that involves people working together. This is because we often use collaboration as a synonym for other buzz words that start with C: Cooperation, Communication and Coordination. In doing so, we miss the most critical element - value creation. Collaboration describes a process of value creation that our traditional structures of communication and teamwork can’t achieve. Let’s break it down further and clarify what it really is. Collaboration has three parts: TEAM, PROCESS, PURPOS ..read more

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash What happens when a small group of passionate people get together to talk about what they feel most passionate about? If you believe Margaret Mead, they can change the world! Well, hang on, becuase we are getting ready to do some world-changin’ or at the very least, conversation-changin’. I have spent the last year researching, writing, and speaking about the importance of passion in our work and in the world. No one disagrees with the premise or that passion is a factor in both individual and organizational success. We just have a lot of questions about ..read more

I had the honor of speaking at #GaETC in Atlanta, GA today. What an audience!!! Below you will find the resources I shared. I look forward to continuing the conversation! Contact me at AngelaMaiers@gmail.com My standard presentation on “Mattering IS the Agenda” The post Georgia On My Mind: Resources Shared at #GaETC2015 appeared first on Angela Maiers - Virtual Keynote Speaker - #YouMatter ..read more

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash I have spent my whole career in the presence of genius; surrounded by teachers, leaders and students. Nothing excites me more than seeing someone fiercely own their genius after realizing the world needs their particular talent and perspective. Genius is the source of our energy and the root of our resiliency. When faced with challenges, it is our genius that helps us overcome them. Yet we live and work in a world where most of us have been conditioned to underestimate, doubt, and even ignore our unique talents and passions. Our students’ genius i ..read more

Photo by CDC on Unsplash What are your hopes and dreams for this school year? Many teachers ask students this question at the start of every school year. It sets the stage for awesome learning to follow. Posing it to students and asking them to share their responses can have a profound effect on the classroom and community. Think about the messages inherent in the question: what you care about matters at school; your hopes and goals are taken seriously; you have a say in what and how we will learn. Taking the time to help children articulate their hopes and dreams sets a tone of collaboratio ..read more

Photo by Enric Moreu on Unsplash “Let’s change the world!!” What do you think when you hear those words? More importantly, what do your students think? For most, “Let’s change the world” is a mere slogan, or a battle cry that gets the heart racing and blood flowing. It is rarely followed by sustained action, and is almost never the first step on a path to becoming an involved and informed citizen. It certainly is not something that we go to school to do. Why is school not a place for invention, innovation and world-changing? Why is school not an apprenticeship to citizenship? Why are the stori ..read more

Photo by Pin Adventure Map on Unsplash An important aspect of choosing to matter is discovering what you are most passionate about; what you are willing to commit to. If we are going to change the world and ask others to do the same, then we need to find and articulate at least one thing that we are fiercely passionate about. The process of Heart Mapping can be done individually or as a group. Use the following template to get your started as you explore the questions below. What makes you happy? What do you love? What is the most fun you have ever had? What memory is your favorite? What thin ..read more