Help for Parents Trying to Cultivate Leadership in Their Kids By SHeila Olson
When you think of the adult your child will become, what do you dream about? If you’re like many parents, you want your youngster to be someone others can look to for what to say and do. It can feel pretty bewildering to know how to bring that out in your child, so here are some helpful resources courtesy of Vanessa Kahlon you can lean on in your journey.
Hone in on Invaluable Traits. When you think of great leaders, chances are certain images come to mind. But how does that translate into skills you teach a child? Certain traits are universally invaluable in leaders of all shapes, sizes, and ages:
● Being transparent and open encourages others to feel they can turn to someone in times of need, with ideas for change, or simply for guidance.
● Having integrity means following through with plans and promises and is a must-have for trust.
● Courage is required for making plans and then proceeding with them, even when there are risks.
● To achieve the desired results, it’s best to remain vigilant, though, rather than reckless.
Plant the Seeds. Knowing the traits that contribute to leadership is one thing, but knowing how to cultivate those traits is another. When it comes to day-to-day life, there are several sound ways parents work on developing those critical characteristics:
● Embracing failure is a powerful way to help children learn to be open and accepting of others.
● Actively working on emotional intelligence will help kids to be sensitive to others and to act with integrity.
● Some of the most important lessons future leaders learn, like how to face risks and how to be a good partner, come from seemingly mundane interactions with parents.
● Sports teach kids a wealth of valuable information relating to leadership, such as how to be part of a team, the importance of sportsmanship, and having courage.
● Teaching your child about money management helps them understand reasonable risks and planning.
The Power of Persuasion. Leaders need to be able to take a stand on the behalf of a cause. With that in mind, it behooves moms and dads to encourage kids to learn how to negotiate and persuade others to their point of view:
● Teach kids to communicate in steps towards their endpoint, rather than starting with their final objective.
● Encourage children to speak out with confidence and take a strong stand, but also with courtesy.
● Help kids understand that in order to listen receptively, their audience needs information presented in a comfortable manner.
● There are times when being unprofessional is appropriate in order to show authenticity and camaraderie; help your kids understand those circumstances.
● Revealing the pros and cons of their standpoint is a practical way to address naysayers while also showing integrity and proper planning.
Our world will always need great leaders on every level. If you’re ready to bring out leadership traits in your youngster, contemplate day-to-day actions and activities that will help, and encourage your child to learn how to bring others to a particular point of view. The small steps you and your child take together now will one day make a big difference in the leader he or she becomes.
Vanessa Kahlon, MA can teach your child vital social skills for positive interactions. To learn more, call (415) 525-4035.