Leadership Skills For Kids

Leadership skills for kids, is a subject that isn’t considered by parents as often as it
should be.

It’s never too early, or late for that matter, to begin teaching kids the basics in leadership.

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Most parents remember, belive in, and therefore teach their children, the GOLDEN RULE:

1. “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

Not surprisingly, this golden rule is also one of the most important leadership skills for kids. Kids
need to appreciate and respect others who may see things differently than they do.

Disclaimer: The research materials are collated from web based resources.
It's important to make your child aware of the fact that that not everything is simply black and
white - that there are many shades of grey. Kids must realize that each situation isn’t necessarily
summed up as right or wrong, perhaps it’s just different that what they are used to.

If you are already teaching the Golden Rule, you’re already off to a great start.

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Let’s take a look now at six more top leadership skills for kids:

2. Communication - Encouraging children to effectively communicate with others is a critical part

of their leadership development. Make the key point that everyone is given two ears and only one
mouth so they might listen twice as much as they speak!

Listening effectively is key to good communication.

3. Collaborate/Teamwork - Working well with others is another highly important skill for kids.
Getting more accomplished as a team in less time, rather than simply going it alone, is a key
learning for kids.

The social aspects of teamwork are equally important. Children who are shielded or
overprotected by parents can be handicapped when it comes down to social situations. Kids must
learn firsthand how to get along in the world with a diverse group of opinionated individuals.

4. Negotiation/Compromising - Through the process of working in teams, kids learn the art of
give and take. Compromising in certain areas to ensure the task is complete, yet all parties walk
away pleased with the outcome, is a leadership skill for kids to master.

The process of compromise and negotiation teaches kids to stay focused on the bigger picture
versus only their personal or singular outcome.

5. Planning/Strategic - Taking time for kids to plan a strategy is a great way to empower them
and to build their self-esteem.

Disclaimer: The research materials are collated from web based resources.
Given a large task, a child can easily become overwhelmed. However, by showing a child how to
break down a task into smaller, bite-sized pieces will build their self confidence and provide them
with a clearer vision for success.

6. Vision - A child who can see their outcome clearly is more likely to achieve their vision.

Kids can be taught how to better visualize through reading or listening to the tales of past
achievers. Read often to your child.

Introduce your child to a world of successful people through books and movies that provide
strong and memorable leadership lessons. Kids who are read to by their parents, and who are
made to read from their early years, will greatly benefit in their adult years.

Leaders are readers. And kids who read yearn to learn. They will not only have a better
appreciation and love for reading, they will also read faster while committing more information to
memory.

7. Persistence/Determination - Provide your child with a strong foundation of personal pride.

Kids are too often coddled when they should instead be encouraged to pick themselves up and
“shake it off”.

When a child falls while learning to walk, they instinctively cry because the fall was unexpected
and the experience scared them. Parents often mistake the cry as a symptom of pain, believing
the child may have been injured in the fall.

Kids learn quickly that if they cry, parents provide immediate attention - and kids LOVE lots of
attention. More crying equals more attention. This pattern quickly can lead to a vicious circle,
which ultimately serves no useful purpose for either the child or the parent.

An important question for parents is, “Who’s leading who?”

Persistence and determination are leadership skills for kids to master if they are to become highly
successful in life. Every failure your child experiences should be viewed as one more step toward
their future success.

Working through obstacles prepares kids for the true reality waiting for them in the real world.
Having the ability, and in fact – the instinct – to PRESS ON, will serve your child well throughout
his or her life.

Leadership skills for kids. Parents who teach these important skills provide their children with a
tremendous advantage. In contrast, the worst thing a parent can do is in effect, “shackle” their
children with low expectations.

Use the exercise in Part 2 of this article to begin teaching leadership skills for kids in your life.

Disclaimer: The research materials are collated from web based resources.