[May 3, 2016] In Parts 1 and 2 of this three-part series, I argued that teenagers lack leadership skills’ training and proposed that a formalized teenager leadership system be established. When teenager leadership is overlooked, as it has been historically, the contributions of those young folks are stunted. By teaching them early in their development, leadership will become second nature to them.
The specifics of such a training system require little investment and in Part 2 of this series I listed four proposed lessons that would be valuable in any education program (see link here). The concept was that teachers, coaches, religious leaders, adult family members, and local citizens would be an integral part of the lives of teenagers and introduce them to qualities of leadership; the cost of which would be small.
But, what qualities of a leader should be taught and how should it be taught to those teenagers? Foremost, all teenagers should be part of many organizations that give leadership opportunities. Regardless of one’s position in life, profession, or personal desires, learning about leadership will enrich all their lives.
Here are several qualities of that should be taught to teenagers (there are of course many more):
- Teamwork
- Honesty and truthfulness
- Positive attitude
- Problem solving and decision making
- Selfless service and the value of giving
- Moral courage
- Perseverance
Here is how qualities of a leader should be taught (the key is to let them experience risk and failure):
- Set the example
- Reward those who show leadership qualities
- Find a mentor that is compatible with the teenager
- Motivate, encourage, and inspire
- Show the value of patience and focus
- Use a diversity of venues (school, summer camps, community service, and any positive activity that involves teamwork)
- Encourage reading (especially easy-to-read books that involve examples of leadership)
- Promote optimistic attitudes
- Establish conditions where individual teenagers can rotate leadership positions
These ideas are not new. Teenager leadership, however, requires building leader competence from the ground up. Room should be made for those who quickly grasp and execute leadership early; reward the successful but don’t hold back on the others. This can only work if adults are bold, confident, and knowledgeable about leadership themselves.
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