General: The Student Impact Model

Tiffany Grant understands how to make an impact on her world.  She also is a living breathing example of something called The Student Impact Model - Influence, Spirit, Class, and Legacy.  When Tiffany was six years old she was diagnosed with APD - Auditory Processing Disorder.  The doctors told her she would never speak legibly her entire life.  She didn't believe them and she worked hard everyday to learn how to speak clearly.  Tiffany's fight to overcome APD gave her the confidence to start her own business while in high school called Prom Wishes, Inc. She gathered donations from dress and tuxedo makers, limo services, hair/nail specialists, shoe makers, etc. and opened her own store in her little Oklahoma town.  She then advertised to the surrounding schools that anyone who couldn't afford to go to prom in style could come to her store and get what they needed for free.  Her company's tag line was "everything you need for a great prom except for the date."  Tiffany knew how to be a leader within her school and community.  How about you?

The Student Impact Model is four simple concepts every student leader should hold as central beliefs directing their behavior and thoughts.  Its not an all-inclusive list, but these four can super-charge your ability to make a difference.  As you read through the list, think about whether or not each are present in your life and to what extent.  Lead is a verb; leader is a noun; leadership is both. It is the combination of who you are and what you do. Each of these require action to truly allow you to make an impact.

Influence.  Everything leadership-related starts with this word. Everyone leaves a mark, for good or bad, on everything and everyone we encounter.  Think of it as having a theme song playing everywhere you go.  Pick a positive, kind, empowering song others will want to turn up. Making an impact begins with you interacting with others in such a way that makes them want to be around you, work with you and follow you. Encourage your friends. Give compliments freely. Choose to avoid gossip. Author and teacher Stephen Covey says the best way to build trust with someone in the room is to talk up about people not in the room. Use your influence to build up those around you; in big and small ways.

Spirit.  Tiffany's story is most inspiring because of the challenges she had to overcome to just get by in life, let alone serve others at a high level.  Spirit is our ability to remain positive in the face of negative people and situations. It is your capacity for responding to life's challenges with a growth mindset.  Failure is a natural part of life.  Everyone has a failure factory.  Failure comes into our lives and then we decide what to make with it.  Follow Tiffany's example and use the challenges and difficulties in your life to inspire you to help others overcome, as well.  A positive spirit is not the absence of troubles; it is the decision to make the absolute best of them. Be thankful when troubling times come into your life. They carry a purpose. The key is you get to decide whether the purpose is to weaken you or to strengthen you. My good friend and speaking peer Bill Cordes calls these times "Great Moments" - moments meant to give us what we need to lead through the good times and the bad.

Class.  Every student leader who deeply understands how to make a positive impact in the lives of others knows they must first be someone worth following. This requires a commitment move; making the decision to live a life of character and excellence.  A classy leader sets a high standard for their personal behavior, interactions with others, attire, personal hygeine, work ethic, service to others, etc. It is not easy to live the life of a first-class leader and that is what makes it so honorable. Students who truly make an impact on others gain followers not by yelling or demanding, but by inspiring others to want to follow them. Apply classy strategies to your social media use, also - specifically Facebook. Two examples include:

1. Share your good days on Facebook.  When you are having a bad day, talk to someone privately about it.  Classy people avoid publicly whining and complaining. Plus, when tough times show up, you need one-on-one interaction to rebuild your spirit.

2. Think about this question: do you keep your Facebook clean because you never know who may see it or do you keep your life clean so you don't have to worry about it? Classy students understand the first part of that question. Facebook is called a social network for a reason. You never know who may see a status update or picture and form a negative opinion of you. However, if you follow the lesson from the second part of the question, your character will never be questioned.

Legacy. The most important reason why the Student Impact Model works so effectively as a guideline for students is the end game is not about the leader, but about the people they are serving and helping.  Every great leader is entrusted with the critical task of doing work that will last after they are gone.  When a student leader leaves a positive influence on others, uses challenges to fuel future success and operates in a classy manner, they are creating a legacy of excellence for other students to follow. This legacy is not the reason for making an impact, but it is a sweet by-product.

Influence. Spirit. Class. Legacy. Four simple words that create exceptional results in the lives of student leaders and the people they lead. Go give the best of you and the world will give you its best right back!

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