A BLUEPRINT FOR GREATNESS
The Tree of Life Mission has been “Developing Leadership & Greatness” since 2011, when the school was recognized by the Franklin Covey Organization as the first Leadership school in Latin America. The 7 Habits for Highly Effective People are applied daily by all members of the TOLIS community – teachers, parents and students – to accomplish our mission.
During their business and entrepreneurial years, Angela and Christian noticed that young people were not well prepared during their early education for the challenges of a modern-day work environment.
They decided to apply the 7 Habits for Highly Effective People, one of the 20th century’s most influential books on personal leadership, written by author and speaker Stephen Covey (1932-2012) and promoted by the Franklin Covey Organization.
1: BE PROACTIVE
At Tree of life we help students to understand they are the architects of their own lives. They can choose what to do with what the world offers them. They are in charge of their own attitude and can control their destinies according to their own values.
2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Our students begin with the end in mind, with a vision and a blueprint of the desired result. With that attitude they plan and organize their studies and personal development.
3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
When you realize you can choose your response and you have a clear vision, you know what to focus on. When it´s not urgent, but it´s important, you can plan it. Students at our school know how to prioritize the important so they don’t become victims of the urgent. They turn planning into a discipline, so they can take care of both what should be done and what must be done, by focusing on the end in mind from habit 2.
4: THINK WIN-WIN
At school we encourage a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Everybody can win. There has to be a sustainable balance of courage and consideration. We teach students to have an abundance mentality and to create with others a winning culture and in the process they build relationships that can be sustained.
5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND
At Tree of Life, active listening is the premise for real understanding. Our students are encouraged to listen compassionately to their peers. That’s the basis for dialogue, respect, and a thriving environment of creativity.
6: SYNERGIZE
To synergize is to celebrate difference and diversity, where many ideas create a better idea. A synergistic communication occurs when because of the exchange and collaboration the new idea is better than any originally proposed. Students at school have teamwork at projects with cross-curricular aims. Lateral and critical thinking evolve from this and creativity blooms.
7: SHARPEN THE SAW
Renewing physical, mental and spiritual energy is crucial for life balance. This habit addresses motivation and identifies when it’s necessary to take a break or change the subject in order to keep balance and happiness. Tree of Life takes this habit seriously inside and outside the classroom, and believes in the importance of nature, physical activity, playing and art to promote wellbeing.
Tree of Life applies the 7 habits holistically, in all interactions. School traditions, rules and practices harmonize these habits gradually and sequentially so that students can become more effective as positive agents of change in society.
Tree of Life applies the 7 habits as a whole. The school ethics aim to harmonize all these aspects in a gradual and sequential viewpoint. Their students will grow as effective and positive agents of change in society.