Parents in today’s world are bombarded with difficult, trying decisions at every turn. Youth seem to be growing up at a faster pace in a world full of social media and instant gratification. We understand that one primary concern when parenting is attempting to raise children who will grow up to be self-sufficient, independent, intelligent, contributing members of the family and society at large. And one area that is intertwined with all those desired characteristics is the area of LEADERSHIP. Parents want their children to become someone who can make decisions and influence others with their leadership abilities. Katie Hurley’s article “4 Tips for Raising Leaders” outlines helpful hints for those raising little ones and adolescents in an age when we need young people who can fly at the front of the flock.
Tip #1 — PLACE AN IMPORTANCE ON GOAL SETTING
We all know that having a plan in life helps us get where we are going. Without that roadmap, that guide, we may not have a rudder at all and just float adrift on the seas of life. What we decide to do with our decisions and our life’s actions may not be in our hands at that point without the pre-planning. But parents raising young children can combat this by showing their young role-models just how important it is to set clear goals and to then strive to achieve them at all costs. Many times it is beneficial to model writing down goals. History provides endless examples of successful people who got to the top by knowing exactly what their goals were and by finding ways to attain them. Those individuals in history who were unclear as to what path they were following found it much harder to achieve greatness and effectiveness. It is also very important to have children set short-term, manageable goals; that way they can experience periodic joys of successes along the path to bigger gains. If children’s goals belong to them and they are personal, the effort to achieve the goals will be measurably greater.
Tip #2 — INSPIRE CONFIDENT DECISION-MAKING
Sometimes the difference between success and failure in life can teeter on the level of confidence someone shows in pursuing a goal or task or in making a decision. To hesitate may mean to fail. Leaders are going to be those who are able to step forward and make those tough decisions with confidence on the spot and under pressure. Through the developmental stages, parents should be encouraged to raise children who are able to think for themselves and who can use those cognitive abilities to make wise, profitable choices. Later, when peer pressure and negative situations arise in their lives, these young children will be somewhat protected by their capabilities in the area of decision-making. A good way to begin for parents is to let their kids make daily smaller choices (such as clothes or food or movie selections) that will help them attain and get comfortable with making successful decisions so that it becomes habit and familiar.
Tip #3 — TEACH POSITIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
So much of life is about attitude and how we face the challenges before us. Teaching future leaders to stick to a task and to persevere is vitally important if a parent wishes for their children to never quit in the face of adversity. That positive attitude which can be applied to all life’s challenges will give strength at times when life’s situations seem most desperate. Kids need to be taught these problem-solving skills so they are aware that perseverance will pay off exponentially. Turn negative thoughts into a problem-solving situation where numerous solutions are possible with the right attitude and approach.
Tip 4 — TEACH ASSERTIVENESS SKILLS
People who have become shining examples of leadership skills and accomplishments are normally those who ACT on life rather than REACT to what life throws at them. Being assertive is a pro-active trait that parents can share with their future CEO’s, brain surgeons, philanthropists, and inventors. Parents should model these communication styles in a calm manner, not an aggressive one. Confidence and assertiveness are bold and firm but do not have to be harsh or aggressive.