Do you ever wonder how we can help students become their best selves, build positive relationships, and help them see that being ‘good’ is actually cool?
In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we are joined by Jeff Bryan, co-founder of the Positivity Project, an organization that empowers students to build character, take accountability, and strengthen relationships within school. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Jeff’s experience at West Point and on deployment, how he and Mike Erwin started the Positivity Project, their mission, and how they achieve their goals.
We delve into how schools partner with them in person and online before discussing how sports coaches and teachers can make positive character traits aspirational. He even tells us how he has turned his experiences as an athlete into memorable moments of self-growth and awareness. Finally, he shares his advice on relationships, character, and making hard work fun.
To hear all this and so much more, press play now!
Key Points From This Episode:
• Helping kids cultivate positive relationships and be their best selves.
• How their partner schools engage with them and what they receive.
• Jeff explains their in-person training and digital on-demand training courses.
• Making being a good kid cool, and how coaches can do that on the sports field.
• His biggest piece of advice as an athlete who became a leader.
Quotes:
“What we lay out are daily 15-minute lessons – and we help [schools] understand, engage, and connect their character skills over the course of the week.” — Jeff Bryan
“Consistency over time is what really makes kids understand what character is.” — Jeff Bryan
“Failure isn’t final – it’s not the end. You’ve just got to keep going and keep putting in the effort.” — Jeff Bryan
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Leadership Blueprints Podcast
What is Leadership Blueprints?
Leadership Blueprints is a podcast dedicated to helping leaders align teams, navigate chaos, and accomplish the mission. Hosted by BJ Kraemer—West Point graduate, combat veteran, and President & CEO of MCFA—this show dives into the principles, stories, and strategies behind effective leadership.
With a background in military service and experience leading teams in business, infrastructure, and complex projects, BJ understands that success comes down to execution, adaptability, and leading people well. Through in-depth interviews with accomplished leaders across business, sports, the military, and beyond, Leadership Blueprints will help you bring your vision to reality on projects that shape communities and industries.
Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, on the field, in the military, or within your own organization, this podcast is designed to provide the tools and mindset needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Subscribe now and start building your Leadership Blueprint.