Every parent aspires for their kids to emerge as leaders. We wish for them to exhibit courage, fervor, and authenticity. Their endeavors should motivate others to reach their fullest potential. In this piece, Dr. Travis Bradberry illustrates the path to leadership, originally featured on LinkedIn Pulse.
As guardians of the next generation, we hold the key to shaping their leadership journey. We can either exemplify and instruct them in the skills necessary to guide themselves and others in this fiercely competitive society, or we risk enabling them to succumb to a mindset that keeps them bound to mediocrity.
This is a significant duty—but when has parenting ever been easy?
The remarkable aspect of cultivating leaders in our children is that the small, everyday actions we take are what truly shape their character. Concentrate on the eight strategies listed below, and you will nurture leadership qualities in both your children and yourself.
1. Exemplify emotional intelligence (EQ).
Emotional intelligence represents that elusive quality within us; it guides our behavior management, navigates intricate social relationships, and assists in making personal decisions that lead to favorable outcomes.
Children glean emotional intelligence from the adults in their lives. As they observe you daily, your actions imprint on them like a sponge soaking up water. Kids are particularly keen on your emotional awareness, how you react in emotionally charged situations, and how you engage with their emotions.
EQ is a crucial contributor to success in leadership roles. TalentSmart’s analysis of over 1 million individuals revealed that EQ accounts for 58 percent of a leader’s job effectiveness. Additionally, 90 percent of top-tier leaders demonstrate high EQ levels.
Unfortunately, most individuals neglect to cultivate their EQ during childhood. Only 36 percent of those we assessed can accurately recognize their emotions in real time. Children with advanced EQ skills carry these abilities into their adult lives, providing them with a significant advantage in leadership and various life situations.
2. Avoid fixation on achievement.
Parents often become tangled in the obsession with achievement, believing it will propel their children toward excellence. This preoccupation with success creates numerous challenges for children. This is particularly relevant in leadership, as emphasizing personal achievements can mislead kids regarding the collaborative nature of effective teamwork.
In essence, effective leaders cultivate relationships with outstanding individuals because they recognize the value of teamwork. Kids who fixate on accolades and results often fail to grasp this concept. They are drawn to the spotlight—the MVP awards and the sensational CEO headlines—assuming the journey centers around individual accomplishments. The disparity between this perception and real-world dynamics can be a harsh realization.
3. Limit oversaturation of praise.
A healthy dose of praise is necessary for fostering self-esteem in children. However, excessively showering them with compliments does not necessarily elevate their confidence. It’s essential for children to cultivate self-belief and acquire the confidence needed to evolve into effective leaders. If every minor achievement is met with exuberant accolades (the “everyone deserves a trophy” mindset), this leads to confusion and inflated self-worth. Always communicate your pride in their effort and enthusiasm, but avoid labeling them as prodigies when it’s unwarranted.
4. Allow them to encounter risk and failure.
Success in any arena, including business and life, hinges on taking risks. When parents go overboard in safeguarding their offspring, they inadvertently prevent them from exploring risks and facing the corresponding consequences. Without the opportunity to stumble, children miss out on the essential lessons that accompany failure. To mature as leaders, individuals must taste the harsh realities of setbacks that come from taking significant risks.
The pathway to achievement is often littered with failures. By overprotecting your children in hopes of boosting their self-esteem, you deny them the chance to endure the setbacks that are integral to successful leadership development. Do not exacerbate their failures; they require your support during these moments. They need to feel your care and understand that you recognize the sting of disappointment. Your encouragement empowers them to face the challenges head-on, fostering resilience and character essential for future leaders.
5. Embrace the power of no.
Indulging children excessively is a guaranteed roadblock to their leadership potential. True leaders must cultivate the ability to postpone immediate gratification and strive hard toward significant goals. Children must learn this discipline. They need to pursue goals and enjoy the satisfaction that arises from diligent effort. While saying no to your children’s immediate wants may cause temporary disappointment, they will move past that. However, the long-lasting effects of spoiling will be felt much longer.
6. Encourage children to tackle their own problems.
Self-sufficiency is a vital trait for leaders. When individuals make decisions, they must also manage the aftermath of those choices. By consistently stepping in to resolve your children’s difficulties, you hinder their ability to cultivate the necessary skills to face challenges independently. Children accustomed to being rescued will always wait for someone to bail them out. Leaders take initiative and ownership; make sure your children do the same.
7. Exemplify integrity.
Transparent leaders garner trust and respect. Though they are not flawless, they establish credibility by consistently aligning their actions with their words. Your children can naturally develop this trait if they witness it modeled in your behavior. To be genuine, honesty must permeate all aspects of life—not only in what you express and undertake but also in your true self. When your words resonate with your actions, it sends a powerful message, inspiring your children to emulate this authenticity.
8. Display vulnerability.
No matter how rebellious and defiant your children might be at times, they still look up to you as their hero and a blueprint for their future. You may feel tempted to conceal your past errors, fearing they may emulate them. However, the reality is different. Without showcasing vulnerability, your children become overwhelmed with guilt regarding their missteps, believing they are the only ones who falter.
To develop as effective leaders, kids must understand that their role models are not perfect. Leaders must learn to acknowledge their mistakes, derive lessons from them, and advance toward improvement. When children are burdened with guilt, they struggle to grasp this concept. They require someone—an authentic person who is open about their experiences—to demonstrate how to navigate mistakes and learn from them. By sharing your own growth journey, you fulfill this crucial need.
We have the ability to shape our children into capable leaders, but it requires dedication and effort. Few undertakings in life are as valuable as this endeavor.
