Scott Shickler Of 7 Mindsets On The 5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School
An Interview With Jake Frankel
Celebrate Failure: Ask your child daily what they failed at or struggled with and celebrate it. Normalizing setbacks helps students develop resilience and a growth mindset — a key predictor of academic success, especially in math and science. Research shows that students who embrace effort and persistence in the face of challenges, perform better long term. When failure is seen as feedback, kids learn to adapt, persevere, and ultimately excel.
School is really not easy these days. Many students have been out of school for a long time because of the pandemic, and the continued disruptions and anxieties are still breaking the flow of normal learning. What can parents do to help their children thrive and excel in school, particularly during these challenging and anxiety-provoking times?
To address this, we started a new series called ‘5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School.” In this interview series, we are talking to teachers, principals, education experts, and successful parents to learn from their insights and experience.
As a part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Shickler.
Noted as one of the world’s leading experts on student and educator empowerment, Scott Shickler is a sought-after speaker, thought leader, and expert on mindsets-based education. Scott is a renowned education entrepreneur, and his life and work embody the essence of empowerment, innovation, and transformative leadership, making him not just a figure of inspiration but a catalyst for positive change in the lives of millions of young people and educators worldwide.
As a speaker, Scott captivates his audience with a blend of humor, riveting storytelling, and interactive activities, ensuring each session is not just an event but a transformative experience. His approach is not merely about imparting knowledge; it’s about creating an immersive journey of self-discovery and inspiring positive change in both individuals and the organizations in which they are part. Scott has authored and co-authored eight books, including The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life. His expertise and insights have garnered widespread recognition, and he has been featured in prominent media outlets, including CNN, ABC and NBC News, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Scott Shickler and co-founder Jeff Waller started 7 Mindsets in 2009, and the company began partnering with schools to implement its PreK-12 mindset-based learning curriculum. Serving as CEO since 2009, Scott witnessed 7 Mindsets expand its reach and inspire millions of students and educators to live lives of passion, purpose, and joy. Today, 7 Mindsets stands as the nation’s leading provider of multi-tiered mindset-based and mental health learning solutions.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us a bit about your “backstory”?
My journey has always centered around unlocking human potential. Early in my career, I was focused on entrepreneurship, building companies in finance and education, but everything changed when I started working with students and educators. I realized that mindset was the most powerful predictor of long-term success and fulfillment. That led to the founding of 7 Mindsets in 2009 alongside my good friend and co-founder, Jeff Waller.
7 Mindsets was built on research, the result of a three-year, $3 million effort to understand what makes people both successful and happy. That work, which included interviews and in-depth research of more than a thousand people — among them Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, and Bill Murray — revealed seven patterns of thinking that consistently showed up in the lives of people who flourish. We named them Everything Is Possible, Passion First, We Are Connected, 100% Accountable, Attitude of Gratitude, Live to Give, and The Time Is Now.
We created 7 Mindsets with a mission to help students live lives of passion, purpose, and joy, based on these patterns of thinking, and we began partnering with schools to implement a PreK-12 curriculum based on positive mindsets and essential life skills.
As a speaker, I love engaging with audiences through humor, storytelling, and interactive experiences. My goal is to spark self-discovery and inspire real, lasting change in individuals and the organizations they’re part of. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of authoring and co-authoring eight books, including The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life, and sharing our message through platforms like CNN, ABC and NBC News, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
At its core, my work is about helping people see what’s possible when they adopt the right mindset. That’s what drives me every day.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I was attending an education conference with a few students, and for lunch we went to Olive Garden. NBA legend and Olympic Dream Team Member, Hakeem Olajuwon, was eating in a booth with two other men. Dozens of patrons were trying to get his autograph, but without success, as the restaurant staff kept moving them away so he could have his privacy. The students I was with were also big fans of his and they wanted his autograph too (and so did I). We started to discuss how we could increase our odds since just going to his table was obviously not working for anyone. I shared an idea with the students, and then I called over a server. I said I wanted to buy lunch for Hakeem and his guests (without them knowing) and that I would give the server a big tip too. When Hakeem finished his meal and asked for the check, he was told it was already paid for, and the server pointed toward our table. Within a few minutes, Hakeem came over to our table and said that no one ever buys his lunch; he’s usually the one picking up the tab for everyone else. He said thank you and introduced us to his manager and his father. He asked if we would like an autograph and a photo, and then he asked if we were going to the playoff game that night. We happily accepted an autograph and photo, and we told him the game was sold out. He said, “not for you guys,” and told his agent to leave four tickets for us at the box office. He also told us where to meet the team after the game and he promised to introduce the students to some of his teammates when they came off the bus. Needless to say, that was an experience I’ve never forgotten, and the students learned an important lesson too — when you lead with value by doing something for someone else, not only can you make their day, but you can often make yours as well.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite quote is “A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle.” It’s a reminder that life is about giving and sharing with others, for it will take nothing away from you, but only make this world a brighter place for everyone else.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead for 7 Mindsets and I’ve been focused on leading our next phase of innovation and growth. We’re developing new ways to bring our mindset-based learning and mental health supports to even more schools, with an emphasis on deeper personalization and real-time impact tracking. Our goal is to make sure every student feels empowered to live a life of purpose.
We’re also expanding our professional development and leadership tools for educators. Teachers are the heart of every school community, and we’re investing in resources that help them build resilience, stay inspired, and model the mindsets for their students.
Ultimately, these projects are about transforming school culture from the inside out. When students and educators embrace positive mindsets, the ripple effect is powerful — academically, emotionally, and beyond the classroom. The kind of change that lasts a lifetime.
For the benefit of our readers, can you tell us a bit about why you are an authority on how to help children succeed in school?
Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of educators and schools across the country through 7 Mindsets. Our mission has always been to help students develop the mindsets and emotional tools they need to thrive. I’ve co-authored eight books on personal growth and student success, including The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life, and our mindset-based learning curriculum has reached millions of students.
As CEO of 7 Mindsets, I’ve seen firsthand how teaching positive mindsets, when done right, can transform school culture and student outcomes. Our work is grounded in research, but it’s also deeply practical as we partner directly with educators to create lasting change in real classrooms. I also bring experience as a speaker and facilitator, helping students and adults unlock their potential through engaging, interactive sessions.
What I’ve learned is that helping children succeed in school starts with helping them believe in themselves, connect with others, and feel a sense of purpose. That’s at the heart of what we do.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. Can you help articulate the main challenges that students face today that make it difficult to succeed in school?
One of the biggest challenges students face today is the growing emotional and mental strain they carry — whether it’s anxiety, social isolation, or simply feeling disconnected in a fast-paced, high-pressure world. These internal struggles often go unseen, but they have a very real effect on a student’s ability to learn, focus, and engage.
At the same time, our education systems are under tremendous pressure themselves. The uncertainty and instability surrounding the Department of Education, budget constraints, shifting priorities, and lack of clarity around support and funding, are impacting schools nationwide. Educators are being asked to do more with less, and many feel overwhelmed or unsupported. That kind of environment trickles down to students, who can sense when their teachers and schools are stretched thin.
The traditional model of education, which has long prioritized test scores over mental wellness, isn’t built to handle this kind of complexity. But the good news is, we know what works: when schools put mindset development at the heart of their culture, students thrive — academically and in life. At 7 Mindsets, we’ve seen schools create transformative change by helping students build resilience, develop purpose, and foster connection. That kind of foundation isn’t a “nice-to-have,” it’s essential.
Can you suggest a few reforms that you think schools should make to help students to thrive and excel?
To help students truly thrive, we need to expand the way we think about education and success.
First, schools should intentionally focus on developing positive mindsets and life skills alongside academics. Students must learn to set meaningful goals, overcome challenges, and stay motivated. These skills are essential for success in school and beyond.
Second, we must support educators in a more holistic way. Teachers are under incredible pressure right now, and they need access to tools, training, and leadership support that help them stay energized and effective. When educators feel empowered, they’re able to create more positive and engaging learning environments for their students.
Third, we need to broaden how we define student success. It’s about much more than test scores. We should be encouraging creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and personal growth. When students feel that their unique strengths and passions are valued, they become more engaged and more confident in their learning.
Finally, with the current uncertainty around the Department of Education and national funding priorities, schools need greater flexibility to adapt to local needs. Education isn’t one-size-fits-all, and equipping school leaders to make smart, community-focused decisions is key to long-term impact.
At the end of the day, helping students thrive means seeing them as whole individuals with the potential to achieve and lead meaningful lives.
Can you please share your “5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel In School?”.
1. Celebrate Failure: Ask your child daily what they failed at or struggled with and celebrate it. Normalizing setbacks helps students develop resilience and a growth mindset — a key predictor of academic success, especially in math and science. Research shows that students who embrace effort and persistence in the face of challenges, perform better long term. When failure is seen as feedback, kids learn to adapt, persevere, and ultimately excel.
Example: Entrepreneur Sara Blakely’s dad would ask her and her brother at the dinner table every night to share something they failed at. This led to a healthy appreciation for risk taking and the importance of failure as feedback — to get better and improve for the next time.
2. Focus on Growth Over Grades: Rather than praising grades or trophies, focus on the effort, strategies, and progress behind them. A process-focused mindset fosters deeper learning, better problem-solving skills, and greater motivation. Reinforce that character and work ethic — not a momentary score — are what carry students through school and life.
Example: My friend and co-founder, Jeff Waller, takes his kids for ice cream when they get their report cards. However, he tells them that they are not celebrating the grades but rather the person they had to become to get the grades. He makes it a point to help them focus on their effort rather than the outcome.
3. Say “You Should be Proud of Yourself”: We want to nurture intrinsic motivation in our children by helping them seek validation from within, rather than relying on praise from others. One powerful way to support this is by shifting a common parenting habit: instead of saying “I’m proud of you,” try saying, “You should be proud of yourself.” Celebrating our children’s growth is incredibly important — but how we do it matters. When we express pride as something they’ve earned from within, rather than something they receive from us, we help them build self-worth that is internally anchored. This subtle shift empowers them to recognize their accomplishments, reflect on their effort, and develop the mindset that their value doesn’t come from external approval, but from their own growth and choices.
Example: The next time your child does something meaningful or positive, pause before you praise. Let your words be an invitation for them to feel proud of themselves. Over time, this approach helps strengthen their sense of identity, fosters intrinsic motivation, and builds the confidence to live from the inside out.
4. Make Gratitude a Daily Habit: Create space at the dinner table or at bedtime for your child to name three things they’re grateful for. Practicing gratitude improves attention, emotional regulation, and academic outcomes by shifting focus toward the positive and strengthening mental well-being. It’s a simple ritual that builds optimism and resilience.
Example: A lot of people have to-do lists and there is great joy in crossing off items when completed. I like it so much that if I do something that wasn’t on my list, I quickly add it so I can immediately cross it off, and we can get hooked on that feeling of accomplishment. However, the first place our attention goes after crossing off an item is to the next item. We often flood our brains with reminders of what we haven’t done yet and what we don’t have. This leads us to the opposite of feeling grateful. So, one quick tip is to briefly pause after you cross off an item from your list and, in your mind, say why you are grateful for completing that. This way, you can fill your days with gratitude because if you don’t practice being grateful for what you have, you will never learn to be grateful for what you want.
5. Nurture Hope and a Sense of Purpose: Talk often about your child’s future — linking their interests, values, and strengths to real goals. Research shows that students who connect their education to personal purpose are more engaged and perform better academically. When kids see a hopeful path forward, they’re more likely to persist through difficulties and stay motivated.
Example: There is an important concept known as Time Preference — it measures how far an individual thinks and plans into the future. The average adult has a Time Preference of 1–2 years, but the average teen has a Time Preference of 12–24 hours. We need to help our young people expand their Time Preference to help them avoid making a negative, life-altering choice. One way to do this is to have them write a life plan and make a list of goals they would like to achieve in the coming months and years. Not only does this give them a greater sense of purpose and hope for the future, but it also gets them thinking further down the road, which prevents some short-term bad decisions.
As you know, teachers play such a huge role in shaping young lives. What would you suggest needs to be done to attract top talent to the education field?
If we want our children to thrive, we must first help our teachers thrive.
To attract and retain top talent in education, we must elevate the profession to what it truly is — a calling of impact and influence. It’s time to make teachers heroes again. Not just for what they teach, but for the lives they change. Teachers are, and always have been, pillars of our communities. We must bring the heart back to education by restoring the joy and meaning found in the deep, life-shaping relationships that make this work so powerful. Collectively as a society, we must make our educators feel a greater sense of appreciation and significance.
Revitalizing the teaching profession begins with school culture. We must build environments where educators feel seen, supported, and inspired; where their well-being is protected, their voices are valued, and their contributions are celebrated.
We call these Ridiculously Amazing Schools — places where educators recognize and amplify the greatness in one another, where teams are united by purpose, and where courageous conversations, collaboration, and trust fuel a culture of excellence and joy. These are schools where teachers lead with clarity, grow together, and reconnect with the passion that brought them into education in the first place.
The 7 Mindsets are as impactful with educators as they are with the students. That’s why we invest deeply in professional development and coaching, not just to train, but to transform. Through the 7 Mindsets, we help educators teach better and help them live better. We help them raise their expectations, rediscover their purpose, deepen their connections with students and peers, and prioritize personal growth.
This work reignites joy. It reminds educators of the profound significance of what they do. Because we understand one essential truth: It takes the whole teacher to develop the whole child.
We are blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Melinda Gates. She embraces the “Live to Give” Mindset and we share a similar passion for removing barriers that hold people back. I believe she would be very interested in joining me in the Mindset Evolution, so together, we could help people all over the world flip their switch and shift from negative mindsets to positive mindsets so they can live to their potential and really thrive.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Website: www.7mindsets.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-mindsets/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7mindsets/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7Mindsets/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@7Mindsetstv/videos
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Scott Shickler Of 7 Mindsets On The 5 Things Parents Can Do To Help Their Children Thrive and Excel… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.