Raising children is hard work! You run around all day, making sure that they are well fed and comfortable. At the same time, you are trying to deal with a small human who seems to have his own opinions and ideas.
If you’re anything like the average mom, you’ve probably wondered what your children will turn out? Will he be kind and loving? Is he going to be ambitious? Will he be a future leader? Should I nurture his leadership qualities or get him to listen to me?
How to Raise a Child with Leadership Skills
Despite how helpless you may feel at times, you should be celebrating his personality and his opinions. At the same time, there are a few things that you can do to nudge your child in the right direction. Read on to find out how to nurture your child’s inborn quality and raise a child with leadership skills:
Teach Communication Skills
It’s a good idea to teach your child how to communicate effectively and assertively. Explain and help your child understand the difference between aggression and assertion since children do tend to confuse the two.
Aggression is hostility against others, usually stemming from too much negative emotion. An assertion is about being a confident individual. Your child might be trying to stand up for his beliefs while maintaining respect for others.
Practice different communication styles at home using books and role-play. Encourage them to speak up and express their opinions and feelings at home and at school in a respectful manner.
Let them solve their own problems
As parents, often our first instinct is to come running when our child hits an obstacle. Someone snatches their toy, we are there to act as a referee. They can’t seem to find a missing LEGO piece, mommy comes running.
While parents are responsible for helping their child navigate through life, our role is not to live their life. Solve their life problems. Next time, when your child comes running to you for help, detach yourself from the situation. Relax. Guide them to solve their own problem.
It might be easier to just solve the problem. But it’s not the pattern you should be setting.
It’s important to be there to give your child the emotional support and advice when they’re going through a tough time. By letting your child solve their own problems, you will equip them with the necessary conflict resolution skills that every future leader needs. It will teach them to not expect to be rescued all the time.
Teach your child decision-making skills
When your child is encouraged to make their own decisions, it gives them a feeling of independence and control in their lives.
Now we’re not saying give your child the power to make major decisions in their life. Small actions like letting your child choose their own outfit will strengthen their self-esteem and build upon their decision-making skills. It will set the right precedent to raise a child with leadership skills.
Maybe you can let them pick that night’s dinner between two options. It’s important to teach them how to weigh the pros and cons of each option. It’s also important for your child to know that they don’t necessarily need to make all of their decisions. Encourage your child to seek advice when it comes to all the big decisions.
Encourage teamwork
An important part of leadership is being a team player and a team leader. It’s important to teach your child about the power of teamwork.
Encourage them to recognize when a task is too big to handle alone and to take the help of others if needed. Teach them how to cooperate with and support their classmates and teammates. When kids learn to problem solve as a group, they become better leaders.
The best way to teach them is through example. For our kids, we are the biggest role model. When doing something big, do it together as a family. Assign roles when working on a task. Give your child a special role. Make a big deal out of his success, and your success as a team.
Encourage them to dream big
Great leaders have great visions. Is your child dreaming of becoming a future member of the national football team? Congratulations! You’ve probably got a young leader on your hands. The only thing you have to do is use the right tactics to raise a child with leadership skills.
No matter how ridiculous and far fetched these dreams may be, its important for you as a parent to encourage your child to be the best they can be to achieve their dreams. Encourage them to take part in the school play if they dream to be the next A-List actor. Sign them up for the regional football club if that’s what they really want to do.
Equip your child with the necessary tools that they require to achieve their dreams.
All children have the potential to be young leaders. If we support our children and teach them how to navigate life, they will be able to be the best leaders of their own life.
I hope that these ideas will help you raise future leaders. Please share what you did in our FREE Facebook community! It’s a fun community of parents where we celebrate successes, look for support, and share in the parenting journey.
As always, if you have concerns about your child’s development and would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your concerns, please reach out!
I would love to help you determine your child’s individual needs. We are here to support you as you help your child blossom!
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