May 18, 2012

CampusTalkBlog posts by Troy Stende

About Troy Stende

Troy Stende uses experiential learning-based leadership programs to help schools develop student leaders and increase student retention. He believes those two things are inseparable and has been helping colleges and universities create connections and strengthen campus community since 1998.

Stop trying. It’s not possible anyway!

Troy Stende - Stop Trying

In Star Wars, Luke’s ship just sank into the swamp . Yoda tells him he could raise it out using the Force. Luke looks very doubtful and says, “I’ll try.” Yoda says, “Do or do not, there is no try.” And, of course, Luke is unsuccessful. Luke didn't get how powerful that work can be. Occasionally, when I’m facilitating a collegiate leadership retreat, a student will be on the verge of a major personal breakthrough and they might say...“I’ll TRY to take action when I’m afraid... I’ll TRY to stand up for what I believe in... I’ll TRY to have more confidence in myself.” I’ll coach them on the word “try” and … [Read more...]

Don’t tell me you can’t.

Troy Stende - Don't Tell Me You Can't

The other day, my 5 year old was having a hard time tying his shoe. He said, “I can’t do this, Dad!” With a smile I reminded him we don’t say, “I can’t.” Instead we say, “Help please.” “Can’t” is a word that takes all your power away. It leaves you with no options and feeling defeated. If you must say “can’t” then add the word, “I can’t, yet” There’s hope in that; things can change and you can and will do it eventually. Here’s a phrase I don’t allow myself to say; “I can’t afford it.” Again, it takes my power away and leaves me feeling hopeless. I feel defeated and my life revolves around … [Read more...]

How to boost attendance at your leadership conference (and increase your active student leader base)

Troy Stende - Get Your Student Leaders Involved!

In my years of speaking at leadership conferences around the country, I’ve seen many different ways to create high attendance and many ways to crash and burn. Recently, I spoke at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. They used one of my favorite models for getting attendance and student buy in... the Nomination model. Here's how it works. Faculty or staff nominate students who they think are up-and-coming leaders, students who are showing promise/potential. These students aren’t necessarily involved in anything yet. Think more like emerging leader. For this model, have the faculty/staff do one of two things: Write a … [Read more...]

Respondability – The power to choose your reaction

TroyStende-Respondability

So there I was; on the rings at a Division 1 NCAA gymnastics meet, in the middle of a great routine…and it happened. While doing a press to handstand, I farted! In front of what felt like millions of people- even though there was just a couple hundred. How embarrassing! So what do you do in that moment? Do I run into the locker room and never come out in public again? Do I quit gymnastics so I won’t be in that situation again? Or do I acknowledge what happened and continue on? We’ve all been in embarrassing situations and it’s definitely not a fun place to be - that’s why it’s embarrassing. When I was up in the handstand and I … [Read more...]

Progression – A Sure-Fire Icebreaker

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This is another icebreaker in the “Sure-fire Icebreaker” series. Below is a full script of an amazing icebreaker. I created such an extensive description because I've found that it can be difficult to do a great icebreaker from a three-sentence description. Being a professional speaker and student leader trainer, I’m on college campuses often doing leadership retreats and orientations. Over the past decade, working with tens of thousands of students, I've learned the hard way what works and what doesn't. Most icebreakers flop because the students don’t fully understand the directions or they feel corny or awkward doing it. It ends up … [Read more...]

The Hobo in you believes every word you say

The Hobo in you believes every word you say

One dark evening in a train depot, a hobo was looking for a place to sleep. As he was searching, he noticed in the distance a boxcar with its door slightly open. He went over to it and squeezed himself inside the door. The moment that he got inside, the door slammed shut behind him. He turned to open it but it was stuck; it wouldn't budge no matter how hard he pulled. He looked around the rest of the car and could find no other way out, just cold solid walls. All at once, he realized something terrible; he was trapped in a freezer car. Immediately, he felt the intense cold penetrating into his bones, and his body began to shiver. The hobo … [Read more...]

High 5 Paired Shares – A Sure-Fire Icebreaker

Troy Stende - Sure-Fire Icebreaker - High 5

This is another icebreaker in the “Sure-fire Icebreaker” series. Below is a full script of an amazing icebreaker. I created such an extensive description because I’ve found that it can be difficult to do a great icebreaker from a three-sentence description. Being a professional speaker and student leadership trainer, I’m on college campuses and at leadership retreats and orientations a lot. Over the past decade, working with tens of thousands of students, I’ve learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t. Most icebreakers flop because the students don’t fully understand the directions or they feel corny or awkward doing it. … [Read more...]

In college or in life… Are you 100 percent committed?

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During my keynotes and retreats on college campuses, I talk a lot about commitment. I even have an audience member break an arrow with their neck [without using their hands] as a demonstration of being truly committed. I recently took on a big commitment. I started P90X. It’s an extreme home fitness video series that’s a 90-day commitment. My commitment to the program is tested daily because the workouts are so extreme and I push myself to the limit every time. When you add to the mix raising two boys, being a husband, running a business with traveling and speaking… that’s when it gets really challenging. The other week I was on … [Read more...]

Categorie – A Sure-Fire Icebreaker

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[showtime] Here’s the next edition in the Sure-Fire Icebreaker series. This is a quick icebreaker that is very low gradient and an easy way to meet a lot of people you don’t know and learn random information about them. As a bonus, I often use this icebreaker to get large groups into smaller groups in the last round. Set up Have them stand up and get into a large bunched up group. “I’ll say a number and a category. I might say the number is 4, and the category is ‘people born in the same month as you.’ The music will come on and you will go find 3 other people to make a group of 4 who were born in the same month as … [Read more...]

Giants, Wizards & Elves – A Sure-Fire Icebreaker

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[showtime] To start this icebreaker, split everyone into two groups. Have them form two lines facing each other in the center of the room with their team standing shoulder to shoulder. Your instruction to the two teams goes as follows: “Welcome to a new planet! On this world there are only three creatures and they are at WAR. Let me introduce the creatures. First, there is the giant. It looks and sounds like this, ‘ROAR!’ Do this with me, 1,2,3, ‘ROAR!’ “Then there’s the wizard. It looks and sounds like this, ‘SSSSS!’ Do this with me, 1,2,3, ‘SSSSS!’ “And finally, there are the elves. They look and sound like … [Read more...]

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