[May 15, 2016] In Part 1 of this two-part series, I argued that boys differ from girls in many fundamental ways and that for boys to acquire leadership skills then they need to be taught differently than girls. Turning boys into leaders entails a greater hands-on approach that benefits them; providing a solid foundation for future education, family, and social success.
There is one misconception about boys’ learning that needs to be put aside. Many academics argue that boys mentally develop at a slower rate than girls and have greater learning disabilities; for example, they are more prone to attention-deficit issues. I disagree. Boys simply learn in different ways that is often in conflict with the modern classroom settings; those we see today in public schools.
Girls surpass boys on many testing scales. However, boys outperform girls in their ability to learn general leadership skills. Boys also recognize the value of leadership quicker and apply those techniques sooner. This is why gender-based teaching techniques for boys are so effective. But it means starting at an earlier age with boys.
Here are some tips on how boys can be taught effective leadership skills. Anyone teaching boys leadership skills must be a strong, seasoned leader the boys can look up to (i.e., lead by example). These tips apply to girls also but are more successful on boys:
- Teach honesty and respect as priority skills: this sets the stage for all other leadership training.
- Provide hands-on leadership: rotating leader positions with measurable outcomes.
- Assigning mentors: a young male adult who has achieved a leadership position.
- Make available leader examples: preferably men who are known in the community to talk with boys face-to-face.
- Require leadership opportunities in school or community: with carefully selective assignments.
- Demand hard work and diligence in all tasks assigned: this shows that a work ethic has value.
- Demonstrate respect within the family: boys should be taught how to function as a family member.
- Pay close attention to detail: boys need specifics on how to act, not platitudes or generalities.
- Treat the boys respectfully but firmly: answer all their questions and show you care about them.
- Plan carefully those leader skills to be taught: ensure it is done systematically and consistently as a program and not in an ad hoc manner.
This list is by no means exhaustive but applicable in all settings from school to the family setting. If there is no top-down leader driven program without the full support of all community institutions, the results will be inconsistent. However, any leader training done well is better than the lack of it today.
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Other theLeaderMaker.com posts on this subject:
- Turning Boys into Leaders (Part 1) https://www.theleadermaker.com/turning-boys-leaders-part-1/
- Turning Kids into Leaders https://www.theleadermaker.com/turning-kids-leaders/
- Turning Boys into Mean https://www.theleadermaker.com/turning-boys-into-men/