Developing Leadership Qualities In Your Child

By Esther Andrews

Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made. Do you
think this is true? How many times did you read a biography of
a great leader, and discovered that as a child, he has been
quiet, reserved and rather shy? Are those natural qualities of
a leader? Of course not! These people have developed their
leadership qualities later in life.

Would you like your child to be a leader?

What are the qualities of a leader? Here are some of the
qualities required to be a leader, and how you can encourage
the development of these qualities in your child.

Integrity - remember to be a good example, a role model for
your child. Parents teach by example, and integrity is a
quality kids learn from their parents. Talk with your child
about integrity. One tool that is very helpful is story
telling. Look for books that tell about the value of integrity.

Courage - always praise courage. When your child shows courage,
notice it and praise it. Praise courage wherever you see an
expression of it. Story telling is also very effective in this
case.

Creative, independent thinking. In order to develop this
quality, it is very helpful to ask questions. When you talk
with your child about any subject at all, always ask open
questions, that encourage creative thinking. Use the "One Step
Farther" principle. After you have gotten all the obvious
answers, ask one more question, to come up with a deeper, more
creative idea. Questions like "why", "what would happen if...",
"how do you think did it feel...", encourage your child to think
creatively. Talk to your child, encourage independent thinking.

In addition, it is also important to listen to your child. When
your child has a creative, unusual suggestion, never negate it
or laugh at it. Always treat your child's ideas with respect.

Confidence - this is one of the most important qualities
required for success in general. To develop confidence in your
child, avoid criticizing your child, praise your child
sincerely and often, develop a habit to talk about your child's
strengths and achievements with him every day. Remember to make
it a point to bring up at least one good quality of your child
every day. If you adopt it as a routine, over time it will do
wonders for your child. It takes only a few minutes to mention
an achievement or a strength (a good quality). Encourage your
child, repeat the phrase "you can do it" often.

A leader takes responsibility. When something goes wrong,
sometimes it makes us feel better if we can blame something
else or someone else. A leader takes responsibility. Make sure
your child knows that he is the "boss" in his life. His success
is his responsibility. We are not victims of our environment, we
have control over our life. Teach your child to "come from a
place of power". When your child blames someone else or
something else for a mishap, or comes up with excuses, you have
an opportunity to encourage your child to assume responsibility.
Make sure that your child knows that it is Ok to make mistakes.
Mistakes are an opportunity to learn. You can help your child
draw conclusions, without "making him wrong", by asking: "what
did you learn from this?", "what do you think went wrong?",
"why do you think this happened?", "how could you avoid this?"
and again "what do you think would happen if...?". Your child
should understand that he has no control over other people, and
is not expected to have control over other people's actions, but
he has full control over his own reaction. This will give your
child the feeling of power, as opposed to "being a victim".

The conversations that you hold with your child have a profound
effect on your child's future. Make sure you take the time to
talk with your child every day, to be involved with what is
happening in your child's life. To support, encourage and
inspire. By doing that, you are being a leader, and you are
developing your child's leadership skills.

About the Author: http://www.all-gifted-children.com For the
last 27 years, Esther Andrews has specialized in gifted
education. In her "The Manual Your Child Should Have Come With
- How to Develop Your Child's Genius" she is revealing how she
grew two profoundly gifted children and how you can do it to.
Check it out at http://www.all-gifted-children.com/package.htm

Source: http://www.isnare.com


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