How do you get the most out of your relationship with a club advisor? In this Student Leadership Playbook episode of the Teen Exec Podcast, host Natalya Lucas teams up with her dad, Jeff Lucas, a college marketing instructor, to tackle one of the trickiest parts of student leadership: building a strong partnership with your advisor.

Together, they share the “five plus one rules” for working effectively with an advisor:

• Setting clear expectations and roles
• Keeping your advisor in the loop
• Treating them like a partner—not a boss or an obstacle
• Being honest when you’re stuck
• Celebrating wins together
• And the bonus: accepting “no” and adapting

You’ll hear examples from student clubs and sports teams, practical communication tips, and advice on managing up—skills that will serve you well not just in high school, but with professors, mentors, and even future bosses.

If you’ve ever felt micromanaged by an advisor, or struggled to know how much support to expect, this episode gives you a framework to lead with confidence while building trust and collaboration.

Many thanks to the Weston Media Center for helping us record and edit this episode.

Resources & Links:

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Visit TeenExec.com for blog posts, tools, and upcoming workshops
• Join Teen Exec on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn