“ If you want a deep dive into the motivations, challenges and opportunities of today's youth, this is the book. Andrew McPeak is an experienced researcher and expert in generation trends. Ready fo r Real Life: Unpacking the Five Essential Soft Skills Great Leaders Instill in Their Students is a perfect book - study for teachers, campus directors, youth workers - or anyone who wants to reflect on better ways to understand and to mentor our future leade rs. Each chapter includes riveting stories, relevant research, helpful application, and guiding questions. You could easily use this resource to lead monthly discussion groups for an entire school year. I highly recommend it! ”
“Andrew McPeak's Ready for Real Life shares knowledge, understanding, and experience about helping students be successful in life in a style that is authentic, practical, and actionable. As an educator for over 35 years, I firmly believe that learning about who we teach is just as important as learning about the curriculum we teach. Whether you are a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, or a parent, you will gain a deepe r understanding of young people's needs through Andrew's insight of five skills needed for a successful life. It is an extremely well - organized book, and I am looking forward to using it in my work with educators and parents. I believe that this would make an excellent resource for teams to read together. I look forward to sharing it with friends and colleagues!
" Ready for Real Life is THE essential toolkit for leaders working with our emerging generations. Not only are the tools easy to understand and apply, but Andrew is a master at using images and the power of story to touch the reader's heart. It's true that you will walk away from this book with a better understanding of how best to pass on the most important human skills, but just as importantly, you will walk away with a renewed heart, inspiration, and zest for your leadership of our emerging generations. Andrew McPeak has the incredible dual knack for bringing structure to complex topics and for using stories, m etaphors, and images to bring those topics to life in colorful and sticky way. Although this book is a nonfiction read, at times it feels like a page turning mystery all the while your tool belt is being filled with useful instruments to ensure you will ha ve a deeper and more impactful experience with a generation that is counting on your leadership. If you work with students or have one of your own, Ready for Real Life is a must read."
“Andrew McPeak has a way of putting information together in a way that is easy to digest and even easier to apply! Using strategies such as “H.A.L.T.” to understand our stressors is my personal favorite! It is a proactive approach that is rooted in the care of people. While this is not a new concept, the way that Andrew ties this idea to supporting students in the classroom is one way to build strong relationships, anticipate the needs of students (and ourselves), and set up practical, low-lift systems that enable everyone to thrive. Ready for Real Life full of stories, research, and strategies that can help any leader grow.”
“Ready for Real Life is brilliant! Andrew McPeak’s heart for young leaders jumps off the page and his practical approach for helping emerging leaders recognize and process their emotions and instill self-awareness is remarkable. Andrew recommends simple strategies and solutions we can all use to do the hard work of preparing the future leaders of our world. Our future depends on it!”
“What a timely message that’s needed for right now as we look at the conditions of life. Ready for Real Life challenges you to refine your purpose for living, serving, and solving problems. Not only is it timely, Ready for real life gives you life principals, and as we know principals we practice places us a win-win situation! Ready for Real Life is a must read, and a great self-help resource that allows you to challenge the status quo.”