Leadership
Any adult who is influencing young people is leading them whether they realise it or not, so anything we do or say as adults imprints an example into young minds.
Children can be encouraged to consider themselves as role models also, setting the standard for themselves and others, and as we all learn more about self-leadership, we can feel more empowered and optimistic.
When you become an effective self-leader, then you are ready to lead others. Effective leaders model the way for others to follow, influencing them in positive ways and inspiring positive action.
When we begin to recognise that we have the capability and the opportunity to choose our own direction, and take responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings, actions and choices, we are beginning to ‘Drive our Own Bus’ in our lives.
Ideas to apply the PLS concept of Leadership at home:
• As parents and caregivers, we all play a leadership role with the children in our lives. Everything we do and say is setting an example all the time for children to follow. How we handle successes, set backs and everything inbetween is setting a standard. Setting a positive example in your words and actions shows young people the way. Expressing kindness to yourself and others, apologising when you have behaved poorly, keeping your word are all examples of self-leadership.
• You are human and you will make mistakes. Being honest with children at these times show them your humanity and shows them that they will also make mistakes and how to manage them.
• Empower your children to make choices for themselves (within your parental guidelines) allowing them to make mistakes occasionally and then encourage them to work out solutions to the problem and build a better strategy.
• Support your children to be independent. Leaders find motivation within themselves. Rather than helping your child with everything, offer limited assistance. For example, let your children make their own breakfast and clean their own rooms. This will help them to take initiative. Leaders are organised and forward thinking and developing these skills at home will give your child a great start in life.
• Help identify children’s interests and encourage their participation in group activities as they will learn valuable lessons about teamwork through these activities.
• Encourage your child to handle failure/loss or hardship gracefully as this is how they gain strength and build momentum and resilience. Explain that someone has to lose every time and how we respond when things don’t go our way determines our strength of character. Encourage your child to learn from their loss and apply that knowledge to their next attempt. The important thing is to keep trying.
• Children need to believe in themselves and to develop the self-confidence required to become successful leaders. Be aware when letting your child know how proud you are of them of not gushing too much and painting your child as a superstar above all others. Reward and praise personal best efforts more than places or outcomes.
• Help children to develop their physiology. When we stand up tall, tilt our chins up, pull our shoulders back and breathe deeply, we are standing like a leader, and this body language sends a message of confidence to self and others. When communicating encourage children to maintain some eye contact as well.