Leadership Excellence for Teens

"Pilots, not passengers!" is the subtitle of this thorough motivational program for teens: the idea is that only one person should be at the controls of life--and that person should be you. No one makes choices for you, and blame games that use "circumstances" as an excuse for mediocrity have no place on a leader's "mental map." Using this simple concept, practical strategies for positive and powerful mental mapping are outlined, including self-motivation, taking initiative, and specific goal setting. Strong interviews with a member of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and a female NASA astronaut are intercut with narration and less-successful classroom scenarios (the students overact and are too scripted). Although the video begins with a talking head in a suit, it steadily improves, offering creative editing and visual design. Ultimately, students will learn that oftentimes success is simply a combination of knowledge, capability, and motivation; as long as teens know what direction they're heading, their chances for achievement are good. This program is an effective tool to help them along their way. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)