[May 2, 2016] In Part 1 of this three-part series, I argued that teenagers lack training in leadership skills and that holds them back as adults. Teenager leadership is an overlooked part of education throughout most societies, especially Western nations where it is assumed that leadership can somehow be absorbed through classroom instruction. I reject this idea and propose that a formalized teenage leadership system be established.
To create a formal system to teach teenagers about leadership would require very little investment in money, space, time, or manpower but would necessitate an increased focus at schools, religious institutions, sports, and especially local citizenry initiatives. Such a focus means that teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and citizens themselves would need to re-orient their understanding of leadership skills and use a proven set of lessons to help young people.
Here are some of those lessons that I propose could be used. These could be made a part of any education program or where teenagers gain experience through interaction with adults in their community. Listed here are just a few that would make the biggest impact in the short term:
- How to get along with others and how to deal with difficult people: Not only has this been identified as one of the main inadequacies of teenager skills, it is also at the core of being a leader. One of the best ways to do this is to teach them how to find things in common with others and how to be comfortable around strangers. It requires focus and practice, as well as a coach (or mentor) to help them overcome common teenager shyness and attitude issues.
- How to be a writer and public speaker: Teenagers are inconsistent in their abilities to converse with others. Communication is one of the keys to successful leadership. Techniques to do so means they would learn about the best ways to communicate a particular idea, organize their thoughts, focus their writing and speech, and the common mistakes of miscommunication and how to overcome them. This requires frequent practice and help in the from of a coach.
- How to be a good listener: Listening is a strong magnetic force that attracts people to us. It shows respect for others and helps us establish a connection (or bond) with people. Teenagers are poor listeners as are most people, but by applying some simple techniques they can greatly improve their ability. It requires an understanding of patience, uses basic psychology, and most importantly it involves caring.
- How to build trust and confidence: This requires acting upon moral and ethical principles, acting fairly, and helping others achieve what they want. It means a teenager must be consistently and scrupulously honest, loyal, respectful, selfless, and caring of others. Otherwise, it is impossible to build trust and confidence. This is rarely taught anymore in our public school system and shows why teenagers need a formal system to teach them these skills.
These lessons transfer readily to any profession or relationship … and it makes those with such skills happier and more satisfied with life. All of these require meticulous practice and careful, insightful mentoring, coaching, and teaching. Without adults who are schooled in leadership skills and techniques to improve, such a program will inevitably fail.
The next part of this three-part series covers more leadership lessons for teenagers.
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