The Growth Project

The past year has transformed nearly every aspect of our world. We're taking a moment to pause and reflect on the affects of COVID-19 a year after its widespread impact. Looking at both the positive and negative impacts, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon take inventory of what has transpired in the hope that we can leverage these lessons for our collective benefit moving forward.

The millennial generation is quickly becoming the largest segment of the workforce and yet there remains much confusion around how to connect with them and lead them effectively. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon leans on the expertise of Clay Kirkland to unpack a series of best practices focused on leading the millennial generation. Kirkland boasts over 20 years of experience in leadership development with millennials.

What is 'rest'? This episode features a conversation with Dr. David Eccles, Professor of Sport Psychology at Florida State University, who has dedicated his research to understanding that question. Dr. Eccles and Dr. Cory Shaffer explore the psychology of rest, including practical suggestions that our listeners can apply in their own lives.

For many organizations, it's review season with many leaders in the midst of preparing for and conducting performance reviews for 2020. In today's episode, we look back on a conversation from late 2019 where Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Milt Lowder discuss 3 steps that will help us approach reviews with vulnerability, authenticity, and strength - not only with others but also with ourselves.

Building a great team takes time and effort. Maintaining a great team takes consistency. Once you have the right team members in place how do you keep them bought in? In today's episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer break down the concept of consistency - what it is and why it matters for effective leadership and high-performance teams. We discuss three key areas where consistency is needed most.

The military special operations community is regarded as one of the highest performing environments in the world, and for good reason - the selection, training, and preparation to become a special operator demand unmatched physical and mental toughness. This episode of The Growth Project features a conversation between Dr. Cory Shaffer and two members of the special operations community. They discuss high-performance environments and the qualities and characteristics that set their community and teams apart from other groups and organizations.

In response to an article that leadership retreats are a waste of time and resources, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder dig into this topic to offer a counter-opinion. In this discussion, they look at the value add of leadership retreats, how to structure your time to drive the greatest impact, and creative ways to hold a leadership "off-site" during the pandemic.

The moments right before a big performance or critical task can make or break your success. Hours, or even weeks, of preparation can unravel in an instant under doubt, fear, or distracting thoughts. In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols explore the science of maintaining focus when it matters most. Drawing on empirical evidence, they share strategies to quiet the mind, harness preparation, and optimize performance under pressure.

January 26, 2021 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a global icon and one of the most decorated professional athletes of all time, but what made him so unique was his mindset and his drive to be the best player he could be - along with his willingness to share his mentality with the world. In a tribute to Kobe, Dr. Cory Shaffer & Dr. Katie Nichols discuss lessons learned from Kobe's Mamba Mentality.

We revisit a timely and insightful conversation with Josh Brooks, now serving as the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics at the University of Georgia. When Josh first joined The Growth Project, he shared his leadership journey—from working under legendary coaches like Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt to collaborating closely with Kirby Smart as Georgia's football sport facilitator. In this episode, we reflect on the lessons Josh has learned along the way and how those experiences have shaped his approach to leading one of the top athletic departments in the country.