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. To find more resources for stories that promote values in kids, look at http://www.all-gifted-children.com, under "Resources". You can find it at Inspirational Kids Stories on the web. You can also make up your own stories, 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.
* 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.
For the last 26 years, Esther Andrews has studied, researched and practiced the ways to develop a child's intelligence. She also served as the principal of the School for Gifted Education. As a result of this experience, she developed her own method and philosophy, that proved to be extremely successful with her own 2 highly gifted children.
In her web site, http://www.all-gifted-children.com, she helps parents develop their child's genius, and provide for their kids the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carEver feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More
Not nearly as often as it should. Most child abuse... Read More
1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More
Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
Why do some children still do best after divorce and... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
Just a couple of years ago Annie helped her parents... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More
It can be hard being a parent with a teen... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
Hope, excitement and anxiety all wrapped up in fresh haircuts... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Many parents struggle with solutions to put their child on... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
Parenting |