Learning How to Succeed

Learning how to succeed is as important as learning how to read or write. This book is written for parents, educators and students themselves who wish to be released from the shackles of underachievement. and find bases for academic and personal success. This book applies the Taccarino/ Leonard theory of the S-Factor to the enterprise of education. The S (Success) Factor is a global force within a person’s structure of self which is formed and generated by the dynamics and interactions of the following core character and personality elements: internal motivation and self-regulation, self valuing, affective effectiveness, interpersonal effectiveness, self potency and success drive.
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Dr. John Taccarino is the primary author of this book with important chapter contributions from Dr. Mara Leonard, Dr. AnChi Cheng, Joseph Cheng, John Leonard, Megan Ambrose, Rachel Bomher, Esther Velazquez, Sara Royster, Meghan Huffman and Kurtis Simonich.

The book shows how the development of a strong S-Factor is at the root of the successes of those such Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs. The book encourages teachers to use S-Factor driven success stories to provide models to students to help them to learn how to succeed. There are also case studies of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who have transformed their S-Factors and achieved significant success.. Clear guidelines are presented for assessing, developing and in some cases transforming the success readiness of students and creating cultures of success in schools. It is also brought out that moral development should take place in conjunction with S-Factor development in students. There are two key chapters near the end of the book that bring out how S-Factor strength can be used in the service of great good or great evil, sometimes in the same person. In comparing Hitler with Churchill, both men had developed strong S-Factors, it is demonstrated how leadership without a moral compass can produce great evil and how morally strong leadership is so essential for our common good. In any case, the chapters can be curriculum guides for assisting students to think through the moral implications of their acts and values as they seek to strengthen or transform their S-Factors.