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No More Gold Stars: Regenerating Capacity to Think for Ourselves
Cultivate a new generation of self-reliant thinkers in this powerful approach to education and learning.Nothing short of a re-alignment of the heavens. Virtually a new and liberating way of looking at civilization. A BIG IDEA for big challenges.
—Tom Peters, best-selling author of In Search of Excellence
In this groundbreaking shift to how we approach learning, best-selling author and business educator Carol Sanford offers a systemic, introspective approach to education and critical thinking.
From the time we’re able to learn, we take in knowledge from others. From our education system to how we work, we accept what leaders, experts, and the authorities tell us as fact. We are taught that others with more training and specialty degrees are the gatekeepers of truth. Yet, this practice of acceptance without validation leads us to design systems that feed polarization, faulty decision making, and poor leadership.
No More Gold Stars answers the important question “How do we stop letting others think for us and instead learn to examine knowledge for ourselves?” If our current approach to learning undermines learning itself, it’s time to dismantle the flawed behaviorism theory fueling such errors in our schools, families, and businesses and instead turn inward to be self-directed, critical thinkers.
disciplines for fostering independent thought and creativity, crucial in tackling big challenges like climate change and social injustice.Engaging case stories demonstrating profound, sustainable learning in business and community contexts.Interactive workbook sections after each chapter, personalizing the journey of learning and application.24 specific developmental practices to revolutionize your approach to education, learning, and change.Insights to challenge and overcome the pervasive issues entrenched in our education systems, institutions, and business organizations.Rooted in ancient approaches found in indigenous cultures, spiritual communities, and quantum disruptors of modern science, No More Gold Stars is an essential instrument for those ready to challenge popular wisdom and embrace a more effective, systemic way of thinking and learning. No More Gold Stars offers an approach to developing human critical thinking skills where each human can think for themselves and become more creative, complete, and wise, at a time when we need it most.
—Tom Peters, best-selling author of In Search of Excellence
In this groundbreaking shift to how we approach learning, best-selling author and business educator Carol Sanford offers a systemic, introspective approach to education and critical thinking.
From the time we’re able to learn, we take in knowledge from others. From our education system to how we work, we accept what leaders, experts, and the authorities tell us as fact. We are taught that others with more training and specialty degrees are the gatekeepers of truth. Yet, this practice of acceptance without validation leads us to design systems that feed polarization, faulty decision making, and poor leadership.
No More Gold Stars answers the important question “How do we stop letting others think for us and instead learn to examine knowledge for ourselves?” If our current approach to learning undermines learning itself, it’s time to dismantle the flawed behaviorism theory fueling such errors in our schools, families, and businesses and instead turn inward to be self-directed, critical thinkers.
disciplines for fostering independent thought and creativity, crucial in tackling big challenges like climate change and social injustice.Engaging case stories demonstrating profound, sustainable learning in business and community contexts.Interactive workbook sections after each chapter, personalizing the journey of learning and application.24 specific developmental practices to revolutionize your approach to education, learning, and change.Insights to challenge and overcome the pervasive issues entrenched in our education systems, institutions, and business organizations.Rooted in ancient approaches found in indigenous cultures, spiritual communities, and quantum disruptors of modern science, No More Gold Stars is an essential instrument for those ready to challenge popular wisdom and embrace a more effective, systemic way of thinking and learning. No More Gold Stars offers an approach to developing human critical thinking skills where each human can think for themselves and become more creative, complete, and wise, at a time when we need it most.
- GenresNonfictionLeadership
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2023
52 people are currently reading
861 people want to read
About the author
Carol Sanford
12 books55 followersCarol is recognized as a Global Thought Leader by Conscious Company Media & Athena Awards for Mentoring and Community Service to small businesses. A Senior Fellow of Social Innovation, Babson College; CEO, The Regenerative Paradigm Institute, Educator and Social Change designer for people in change agents roles, organizational leaders who aspire to make a difference, business and organizational teams pursuing non-displaceability. Author of seven award-winning, best-selling books, including The Regenerative Life: Transform Any Organization, Our Society, Your Destiny, No More Feedback, The Regenerative Business (Google VP, Michiel Bakker, foreword.) All seven books are built around case stories of specific transformations in people, businesses, communities, and regions. Exec Producer, The Regenerative Business Summit and Producer & Narrator of, Business Second Opinion Podcast..
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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July 20, 2024I am working on a longer review for this incredible book.
No More Gold Stars: Regenerating Capacity to Think for Ourselves by Carol Sanford was not what I expected it to be.
It was so much more from my perspective.
With that in mind, I will have more to say once I have time to organize my thoughts further.
No More Gold Stars: Regenerating Capacity to Think for Ourselves by Carol Sanford was not what I expected it to be.
It was so much more from my perspective.
With that in mind, I will have more to say once I have time to organize my thoughts further.
March 24, 2025
good read
I won this kindle book in the Goodreads giveaway. It’s a good read but not to interesting. It’s sorta motivating and a few good points with related stories.
I won this kindle book in the Goodreads giveaway. It’s a good read but not to interesting. It’s sorta motivating and a few good points with related stories.
August 8, 2024
No More Gold Stars by Carol Sanford is a thought-provoking exploration of how behaviorist principles have infiltrated our educational and societal systems, undermining individual self-determination and critical thinking. The author argues for a revolutionary shift towards nurturing self-directed learning and intrinsic motivation, away from the traditional reward-punishment paradigm epitomized by the ubiquitous gold star. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, theoretical discussions, and practical examples, the book challenges readers to reconsider how we raise children, educate students, and organize our institutions.
One of the book's strengths is its compelling critique of behaviorism. Sanford does a masterful job of tracing the historical roots of this approach and its pervasive influence on modern education. By pointing out how behaviorist methods condition children to seek external validation rather than developing their own values and motivations, the book sheds light on a crucial issue. The discussions about how standardized education suppresses creativity and curiosity resonated deeply with me. It's a call to action for educators and parents to foster environments where children can explore and learn autonomously. I also appreciated the practical suggestions offered for fostering self-determination in children. The author's emphasis on Socratic questioning and reflective practices provides concrete tools that parents and teachers can implement immediately. Some sections delve deeply into philosophical discussions that provide rich, thought-provoking content for those interested in deeper exploration. The intermezzos inserted between chapters are designed to disrupt passive reading and encourage active engagement, offering unique opportunities for reflection. These exercises are crafted to cultivate critical thinking, and while they momentarily pause the book's main narrative, they enrich the overall reading experience and underscore the book's core message of fostering independent thought.
No More Gold Stars is a compelling and challenging read for anyone interested in education reform, parenting, or personal development. It will particularly resonate with educators, parents, and anyone disillusioned with the current state of our educational systems. The book's call to embrace self-determination and critical thinking is timely and essential, making it a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about how best to prepare our children for a rapidly changing world.
One of the book's strengths is its compelling critique of behaviorism. Sanford does a masterful job of tracing the historical roots of this approach and its pervasive influence on modern education. By pointing out how behaviorist methods condition children to seek external validation rather than developing their own values and motivations, the book sheds light on a crucial issue. The discussions about how standardized education suppresses creativity and curiosity resonated deeply with me. It's a call to action for educators and parents to foster environments where children can explore and learn autonomously. I also appreciated the practical suggestions offered for fostering self-determination in children. The author's emphasis on Socratic questioning and reflective practices provides concrete tools that parents and teachers can implement immediately. Some sections delve deeply into philosophical discussions that provide rich, thought-provoking content for those interested in deeper exploration. The intermezzos inserted between chapters are designed to disrupt passive reading and encourage active engagement, offering unique opportunities for reflection. These exercises are crafted to cultivate critical thinking, and while they momentarily pause the book's main narrative, they enrich the overall reading experience and underscore the book's core message of fostering independent thought.
No More Gold Stars is a compelling and challenging read for anyone interested in education reform, parenting, or personal development. It will particularly resonate with educators, parents, and anyone disillusioned with the current state of our educational systems. The book's call to embrace self-determination and critical thinking is timely and essential, making it a valuable addition to the ongoing conversation about how best to prepare our children for a rapidly changing world.
January 5, 2025
Aligning with the Evolutionary Impulse
What a powerful read! Made even more personal and meaningful by the inclusion of yet more Intermezzos, introduced in the book prior to this, Indirect Work.
My favourite (non-expert) quote?
“It distresses me when I hear otherwise rational and well-meaning people say that the problem on the planet is humans and that life would be better off without our species. On the one hand, this idea is hopeless, despairing, even nihilistic. On the other, it expresses blindness to the potential contribution that human consciousness could make to evolution. This blindness prevents us from doing the hard work of consciousness development that living systems expect and require of us.”
For the past twenty years I’ve held a sneaking suspicion that the innate organising principle of all living systems is to to adapt and evolve into higher expressions of itself and that humans have a crucial role to play in this process. What I’ve lacked is the eloquence to express this suspicion. Carol Sandford’s (last) book has blasted away any doubts and concerns I may have had about expressing this suspicion.
What a profound gift Carol has left for us. My hope is that many torchbearers will continue the groundwork so beautifully laid by Carol.
What a powerful read! Made even more personal and meaningful by the inclusion of yet more Intermezzos, introduced in the book prior to this, Indirect Work.
My favourite (non-expert) quote?
“It distresses me when I hear otherwise rational and well-meaning people say that the problem on the planet is humans and that life would be better off without our species. On the one hand, this idea is hopeless, despairing, even nihilistic. On the other, it expresses blindness to the potential contribution that human consciousness could make to evolution. This blindness prevents us from doing the hard work of consciousness development that living systems expect and require of us.”
For the past twenty years I’ve held a sneaking suspicion that the innate organising principle of all living systems is to to adapt and evolve into higher expressions of itself and that humans have a crucial role to play in this process. What I’ve lacked is the eloquence to express this suspicion. Carol Sandford’s (last) book has blasted away any doubts and concerns I may have had about expressing this suspicion.
What a profound gift Carol has left for us. My hope is that many torchbearers will continue the groundwork so beautifully laid by Carol.
April 14, 2024
Giving ... gold stars to this book on 'No more gold stars' .. could seem odd 🫢 but this new Carol Sanford's book is definitely a goodread. I also enjoyed the breaks after each chapter where the reader is invited to reflect on his personal take after Carol's insights.Think independently to ignite your own transformative change 🙌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
One of the most important books I’ve ever read! Profound writing for a transformative, regenerative shift towards a self-directed, systems thinking paradigm. Everyone should read this insight into our collective future.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews