Self-discipline builds the internal control needed to stay focused and make smart choices under pressure, even when no one is watching. Self-Discipline is what they will carry with them into every situation and allows them to embrace independence without constant oversight or a need for external validation. The STANDARD for self-discipline says, you are responsible for you and for your choices.

Teamwork teaches young men how to lead by listening, collaborate under stress, and build trust. These are skills every strong leader needs. For those aspiring to go on to be athletes or executives, it's paramount to know how to cultivate relationships and motivate others. The STANDARD of teamwork reinforces that success is built on relationships. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, build a team.

Taking ownership of your actions helps you recover quickly from mistakes and earn respect, even in high-pressure situations. Accountability teaches our young leaders to embrace accountability as a resource at their disposal rather than a punishment. The STANDARD says, we don't hide our mistakes; we own up to them, we assess what went wrong, then identify better way to handle situations going forward. The ability to grow begins with being accountable for our choices and actions.

Nobility means doing what’s right, not what’s easy. Being a leader of self, first and then others require courage, honor, and a strong moral compass. Boys often here the term 'King' being used, with a point of reference for the level of responsibility that comes with it. The STANDARD says integrity first.

Good decision-making under pressure separates followers from leaders and keeps emotions from steering the outcome. With sound decision-making skills our youth learn how to avoid high-risk situations as much as possible, and they gain the tools to de-escalate situations that were outside of their control. The STANDARD says, the only person responsible for your choices is you and the only one who will suffer the consequences of bad decisions is you.

You may have thought this would say something about a 'POSITIVE' attitude.

No, we deal with the real world and real problems and not every situation will be appropriate for a positive attitude response. The STANDARD for our young men is to exhibit a GROUNDED ATTITUDE. Meaning, approach every situation from a realistic and grounded perspective. Acknowledge the problem, seek solutions, ask for help, take ownership if you're wrong, and don't gloss over or minimize challenges. A grounded attitude helps young men stay composed, bounce back from setbacks, and lead with confidence. Be positive but be realistic.

Respect is paramount to healthy development and the ability to achieve goals. Respect encompasses self, peers, strangers, parents, and authority figures. Respect should be a mutual exchange between two parties. This is emphasized in every element of our program, respect creates the foundation for influence, trust, and long-term leadership. The STANDARD says disrespect is not worth losing your life or your freedom over. Respect yourself first and enough to manage situations with control and conviction.

Drive fuels courage to set goals and the perseverance to keep moving toward their goals. Drive steps in when failure inevitably strikes, doubt creeps in or naysayers try to convince them to quit. Drive is the force that pushes back against pressure when it seeks to knock them off course. The STANDARD says motivation is an internal force. just like you drive and control a car, you drive and control your choices.

Faith - Faith is the secret sauce to success. Faith is the anchor that keeps you grounded in integrity and committed to human dignity. It is the belief that even when life doesn’t go your way, it is still going the way it is supposed to. Faith gives you the strength to pivot in the face of challenges, stay steady during times of distress, and keep your eyes on the future. With faith, you remain level-headed, focused, and able to lead with purpose no matter the pressure.