As we have discussed, the development of leadership skills can have a hugely positive and long-lasting effect on students as they grow into adults. To conclude this Chapter on Leadership, I would like to put forward that even without a leadership development programme or character development programme parents can make a lasting impact on their children by developing leadership skills at home and I believe there are 4 excellent things parents can do at home to encourage their children to become excellent leaders:
Encourage an entrepreneurial spirit
By encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in our children we encourage them to seek out big problems in the world and solve them. This will present itself in their approach to challenges and ensure they have a bigger impact on the community as they grow older.
Encourage reading and self-education
Having a thirst for knowledge is a valuable trait in young people that can ensure students develop quickly into leaders within their sport/skill/subject. A Leader will quickly pick up a new skill or task to ensure they are able to help others in their group and this stems from having a passion for learning and self-development, which can be taught from a young age.
Encourage the development of emotional intelligence
By constantly asking our children how their actions may affect others feelings and gearing conversations towards the complexity of human emotions they will begin to understand the importance of how they approach others, how they communicate. It will improve their interpersonal skills and therefore their relationships.
Encourage children to blaze their own trail
Encouraging children to make their own decisions after evaluating situations and encouraging them to be independent and creative will teach them about responsibility and accountability as well as goal setting and persevering.
“Real Leadership comes from the nudging of an inner voice. It comes from realizing that the time has come to move beyond wanting to doing” – Madeleine Albright, UNC, 2007
