Charles Watson is professor of management at Miami University of Ohio. He and I have never met, but we have talked on the phone and exchanged books and articles that each of us has authored. If we were in our early teens we would be what they used to call “pen pals.” As academics, we are kindred spirits interested in the formation of character and the restoration of integrity, through education, for business.

“Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?” is the title of a new book (Praeger Publishers) co-authored by Watson and Thomas Indinopulos, a professor of comparative religion at Miami of Ohio. Knowing that I am on leave from a business school professorship to serve as president this year of my high school alma mater, St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, Watson sent me a copy of his latest book along with a note saying, “Perhaps there are useful lessons here for your boys.” Indeed there are.

Many, if not most, adolescents are, I’ve found, their own “worst enemy.” They think the other kids are OK, but they are born to lose; they are not “with it,” certainly not “cool.” What they need is more encouragement and praise, along with the occasional and indispensable kick in the butt, to help them get themselves in gear to move forward in meeting life’s challenges.

They are, of course, our future, so strategies aimed at overcoming yourself as your own worst enemy are solutions that all of us elders should be posting for their consideration. I did just that at the opening assembly of our student body.

The subtitle of the Watson-Indinopulos book is: “The Nine Inner Strengths You Need to Overcome Self-Defeating Tendencies at Work.” I pointed out that they can also be applied at school, and I used the chapter headings as an outline for my talk to high school boys. Here’s the list taken directly from the table of contents:

1. Develop What it Takes to Make Things Happen: Assume Responsibility, Initiate Action, Accept the Consequences.

2. Make the Most of Who You Are: Understand Yourself, Accept Yourself, Be Yourself.

3. Sharpen Your Thinking Skills: See Beyond the Obvious, Pay Attention to Your Surroundings, Anticipate Consequences and Outcomes.

4. Be the Kind of Person Others Want to Be Around: Value Feelings, Treat Others with Dignity, Be an Encourager.

5. Break the Chains of Mindless Routine: Exercise Your Imagination, Turn Failures and Mistakes into Lessons, Rise Above Mediocrity.

6. Become an Effective Learner and Continue Learning: Be Curious, Reflect on Your Observations, Expose Your Mind to New Ideas.

7. Master the Art of Self Discipline: Assess Your Actions Honestly, Cause Your Emotions to Work for You, Make Favorable Impressions.

8. Act with Integrity: Know Good from Evil, Right from Wrong, Defeat Self-Centeredness, Pursue the Good and Right Wholeheartedly.

9. Be of Service to Others: Rise above Indifference, Have an Ultimate Concern That Goes Beyond Your Self, Serve Others Generously.