How to Raise Children to Be Good Leaders

It's been said that leadership starts at home. It just may be that leadership is, at least in part, an outgrowth of early training. 

There is disagreement among experts as to just how much leadership is inborn and just how much is learned, and there is really no way to settle that disagreement. It's likely that it's a combination of learning and natural ability.

If you'd like to do what you can to raise your children to be good leaders, here are some tips that may help.

Teach Them to Think

Some sources point out that the school system, public and private, teaches kids what to think rather than how to think. Of course, there are probably exceptions to this - special schools and special teachers - but it's entirely possible that your kids are not being taught how to think. So whether you homeschool or have your kids in public school, you might try some of these exercises to help your kids think on their own.

* Give them an age-appropriate reading assignment that expresses a particular point of view. An opinion piece in the newspaper is a good place to start. Ask what your child thinks about it, and have him or her write an age-appropriate response to the piece. Do the same thing with an article that expresses the opposite or a different view.

* Encourage them to read work that covers a range of opinions and views.

* Ask them if they agree or disagree, and why.

* Any time your child reads something, ask him (or her) what he thinks about it. Find out what he gleaned from the reading rather than finding out if he picked up what she was "supposed to" from the reading.

Leaders tend to be independent thinkers, so these exercises may go a long way toward teaching your child to be a good leader.

Teach Organization

This may be something of a challenge for parents who aren't that organized to begin with! And for those parents who are very organized, you might find that you just organize everything for your kids without teaching them to do it themselves. So finding a balance is a good idea.

Try giving them a calendar and show them how to keep track of their own activities. Chore lists are also a good way to help them organize their time. Age-appropriate chores and activities, written on a calendar, can help kids "see" their time and how it's being spent, even if they are too young to tell time yet.

Ask for Arguments

Okay, that may sound like something parents don't want to do. But the art of arguing respectfully is an important leadership quality. 

We're not talking about angry arguments; it's more about negotiation and persuasion. Ask your child to tell you why he (she) wants a certain thing, or why he should be allowed to attend an event or participate in an activity. This helps your children learn how to analyze and present an argument (which is really a list of reasons) to achieve a goal.

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Jose

Keys to Being an Effective Leader of Fellow Adults

Leading children or youths is one thing, but leading adults who are your age or older is a different matter. An entirely different approach is called for, but some of the principles are the same no matter what age you're leading. 

Maybe you are going to be training a group of adults for a specific vocation, or perhaps you have to organize a community consignment sale. Maybe you need to find volunteers for a work or church function. There are all kinds of situations where adults need to lead adults. Here are some keys to being an effective leader of your fellow adults.

Know Where You're Going

No one wants to follow someone who has no idea where they're going! Having a goal or vision is essential. It's possible that it may evolve or change as you go forward - it's good to be flexible, too - but when you start out, having a clear vision can inspire others to follow you. If you really believe in it and know it can be done, your enthusiasm tends to be infectious. People like to get on board with someone who knows where to steer the ship!

Listen

As noted above, it's good to be flexible, and that's where listening comes in. As you express your vision and goal, even if it's just getting things done well and on time, it's a good idea to listen to the input of others. Someone might point out something you hadn't taken into consideration, or he/she might have a good point about your choice of venue. 

Obviously, a good leader can't please every person's whim, but you can take people's concerns into consideration. If everyone seems to be saying the same thing, maybe you should change your plans a bit! People tend to appreciate a leader who listens, even if it doesn't always mean change. 

Clear Steps

In addition to a clear goal, you'll need clear steps on how to reach that goal (or multiple goals). Explaining a "contagious" vision is great, but teaching people how you plan to realize that vision is important. 

It can seem unrealistic if you don't explain your plan. 

Break it down into doable steps, and present those to those in your group. A big part of this, of course, is being organized. 

Confidence

If you don't believe in what you're doing, no one else will, either! 

Make sure you are confident and certain of your plan and your goals. Sources agree that it's not a good idea to be overly confident to the point that you don't listen to anyone or heed their concerns; but confidence, like an exciting vision, is contagious. Be sure of yourself and what you want to accomplish. 

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Jose

Leadership Skills to Teach Kids: A List

Have you heard talk about teaching kids leadership skills? Whether you are a teacher, parent, or other type of caregiver, you have probably heard about the importance of instilling leadership. But how? What skills? Following is a basic list of leadership skills you can teach kids.

1. Independent Thinking

Help your child break out of the "cookie cutter" mentality by teaching him/her to think independently. Ask your kids' opinions on things, and refrain from judging or expressing your opinion. Just listen so that no opinion is "wrong." You might share your own opinion respectfully, and if it differs, all the better - part of independent thinking is hearing several sides of an issue and coming to your own conclusions.

2. Responsibility

Age-appropriate responsibilities are important skills for building leadership. Give your child responsibilities as early as you can, and have him deal with the consequences if those responsibilities are not carried out. Of course, your child needs guidance; but once your explain what the consequences will be, sources say it's best to let them play out.

3. Fairness

Leaders need to be fair. Being too rigid and unbending is not a great way to teach your kids about fairness, but being too permissive isn't, either. Help them to understand what is fair and what isn't, and how sometimes being fair means being firm even when others are upset. 

4. Negotiation

Have you thought about the importance of negotiation skills in leadership? Think about it: government leaders, particularly the president, need to be well-versed in the art of negotiation. So it's okay to discuss your child's wants and desires - ask him to present a convincing argument as to why he thinks he should have whatever it is, or participate in an activity. And sources agree that it's okay for a parent to allow him/herself to be "talked into" something now and then!

5. Organization

Being organized is key to good leadership. Teach your children how to prioritize tasks and organize their time. Show them how to use calendars to keep things straight, and explain how time is organized by prioritizing tasks. 

In the category of organization is also the concept of making lists. 

Have your kids make lists of what tasks they plan to complete each day and/or week. This also helps break tasks down into steps - maybe your child has a research paper due three weeks from now. 

Helping your child break that down into weekly and daily steps can be very helpful - not only in accomplishing the completing of the paper, but also in instilling the leadership skill of organization.

6. Communication

This is essential for leadership. Leaders must express their goals and their vision for whatever project or task they are leading. They can't expect others to read their minds! Teach your kids good communication and listening skills by encouraging them to share their thoughts even if you disagree, and by actively listening yourself. 

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Jose

Personality Characteristics of Effective Leaders

Whether you think that leaders are born or made - or a bit of both - there are still some characteristics that distinguish leaders from others. 

Have you wondered if you or someone you know is a natural leader? Are you interested in learning some characteristics of good leadership? Here are some personality characteristics that tend to go with effective leaders.

Task-Oriented

Are you the kind of person who likes to get things done? Do people come to you and ask you to do something for them and know you'll do it? Not everyone is task-oriented, but those who are may end up being effective leaders. Being task-oriented means being a "doer," the kind of person who focuses on getting something done and not stopping until the task is finished. 

Task-oriented people generally follow through. This is important in a leader, because leaders have definite goals to reach and people to lead, and people will stop following you if you don't get things finished. 

Also, task-oriented leaders do not need "babysitting" to get something done. They can take initiative on their own - the task itself is motivation. 

Honest Self-Image

Leaders tend to be pretty honest about their weaknesses and strengths, but not to the point of letting either one take over. For instance, a leader can balance between recognizing his weakness and not letting that stop him/her, and a leader can see his/her strengths without getting conceited. Those in leadership positions may find that they garner more respect when they are honest and "transparent" about their flaws than if they pretend to be perfect.

People Person

A leader tends to be a people person - someone who derives lots of energy from being around people. Such extroverted personalities make great leaders, but introverts are not barred from leadership, either. You can have a love for people and be introverted; you just respond differently to interacting with others. 

In other words, you can be a "people person" even if you find yourself tired of leading at the end of a day. Extroverts and introverts can both be motivated by a love for people and their wellbeing.

"Infectious" Joy

Have you ever been around someone who just seems happy with life in general? If a person shares an idea or thought and seems really happy about it, do you feel like joining him or her? Leaders tend to exhibit this kind of infectious joy that draws other people to them. Positive-thinking leaders have a zest for life that compels other people to join them. 

The general consensus is, characteristics of a good leader can be in-born or learned, or a bit of both. If you don't have all of these traits naturally, you can learn many of them. No two leaders are the same. 

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Jose

Signs That Your Child May Be a Strong Leader

Is your child a strong leader? Do you suspect that he or she might grow up to be an effective and proactive leader? Or maybe you aren't sure what to look for. Still others might wonder why bother - does it matter if you discover leadership abilities early? 

Actually, some sources say it does matter. Observing leadership qualities early means parents, teachers and caregivers can work to develop those talents so they do not fall by the wayside.

If you want to make sure you develop your child's leadership qualities, here are some signs to watch for. Some of them may surprise you!

Talkative

Does it sometimes drive you crazy that your child talks so much? 

Actually, being talkative may be a sign of things to come. A chatty nature indicates a child with excellent verbal skills, which are important for good leaders. Did your child talk early and proficiently? This may be a sign that he or she will be a good leader. 

Treats Others with Respect

If you notice that your child seems to end up in responsible positions - team captain, for instance, or band director - and you know he didn't get that position because of "muscling" his way to the top or bullying others, then this may be a sign of leadership ability. Notice if your child seems to have others "gravitate" toward her and wish to emulate her. Take note as to whether or not this is due to respectful treatment. If it is, you may have a strong leader on your hands.

Sees Both Sides

Some kids exhibit an ability to understand both sides of an issue. 

They tend to be peace keepers, helping two arguing kids to see reason, for instance. 

In the Know

Does your child always know what's going on? Is he or she always aware of the latest happening at school or in the family? This is not the same as being a gossip (that's not a good leadership quality), but it does mean that he or she is paying attention and interested in what's going on with others. 

Inquisitive

A good leader is not afraid to ask questions, but he/she is not afraid to go looking for answers on his own, either. Too much questioning may indicate self-doubt - your child is always trying to make sure about things - but healthy questions that spring from a true desire to know more about something may be a sign of leadership ability. 

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Jose