Improve your teenager’s skills with these tips
You may think qualities like leadership skills are just personality traits kids develop when they’re growing up. This is partly true, but there’s also plenty you can do to help your teenagers develop leadership skills.
Understand the leadership model
Becoming a motivational leadership speaker takes time, and you can’t simply dictate that your son or daughter start volunteering at an organization or get a new job. There are a few basic facts about leadership you need to understand:
Listen, and let them decide.
Introducing the idea of volunteering or participating in an extracurricular program is fine, but if you force them into something, adolescents are less likely to be passionate about the opportunity. Listen to their ideas and how they feel about yours.CLICK TO TWEET
Authority and leadership aren’t the same.
Understand what leadership is, and check that your teens are learning the right skills. This goes far beyond giving orders, delegating, and skills like multitasking.
Set an example.
If you’re serious about developing these behaviors, be a leader yourself. Positivity and diligence are contagious, and by setting a good example, your kids have a model to follow.
Look for appropriate age differences
Your teens can pick up and hone leadership skills naturally in a setting where they’re considered authorities based on their age. For example, volunteering at a Boys and Girls Club or the YMCA can help them understand the heavy responsibilities placed on a leader.
Peer groups
There are also plenty of opportunities at school with their peers. You can support the decision to join a club or committee, run for class office, or a similar commitment. Some high schools offer JROTC programs; regardless of your child’s career path, understanding values like personal character and integrity are basic elements of a good leader. Any of these will also help students prepare for college and increase their chances of acceptance into a high-quality program.
If you homeschool, revisit the volunteer opportunities above, or look to a local religious organization you support. In addition to leadership, these institutions often stress the importance of values that can help anyone focus on what’s important in life.
Encourage tomorrow’s leaders
Set a good example, and support your teens on their leadership journey. With the right encouragement and a model to follow, they may discover something they’re passionate about or learn something they carry forever.
