COMPONENT ONE: Management, Accountability, and Organization of Student Leaders
1.3. Goal Setting and Feedback: The program collaborates with student leaders to establish achievable goals, and regular progress reviews provide constructive feedback to help them improve.
If I’m honest, one of the biggest game-changers in my leadership program has been simply getting kids to set real goals and then giving them consistent feedback. Not the fluffy “do your best” goals. I mean clear targets and quick check-ins that keep everyone on track.
You know how it goes: students want to do well. They just don’t always know what “well” actually looks like. When we slow down long enough to set goals with them, whether it’s a rally plan, a recognition project, or their S.O.D.A. team responsibilities, they show up differently. There’s more purpose. Less guessing. Fewer surprises.
And the feedback part? That’s where the magic happens. I’ve realized students don’t fear feedback…they crave it. They want to know how to improve. They want to know what worked and what didn’t. A quick post-event debrief or a five-minute check-in can change the trajectory of an entire team.
The more we normalize feedback, the more confident they become. They stop taking things personally and start taking things seriously. And honestly, it makes our jobs easier because the kids start holding themselves accountable. They begin anticipating problems before they happen. They adjust faster. They think more like leaders instead of just participants.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- How often do you pause long enough to set clear goals with your leadership kids before an event or project?
- What’s one easy feedback routine you could add: weekly check-ins, two wins and a next step, quick debriefs that would instantly help your student leaders grow?
Need more support or resources?
If you need more support or resources in this area, please reach out. I would love to partner with you to build the best program possible.
Stephen Amundson
📞 559.936.0503
📧 stephen@fourseasonsofschoolculture.com
FOUR SEASONS OF SCHOOL CULTURE 