Parent and Youth Leadership Month
Posted on 09. Feb, 2009 by Linda Lord in Blog, Character development, Choice development
As you might have noticed by now, I like to write about recognized special days, weeks, and months. February is both National Parent Leadership Month, as well as Youth Leadership Month. I don’t think that’s an accident. When parents demonstrate solid leadership in their homes and communities, it tends to rub off on the next generation.
Parent Leadership is sponsored by Parents Anonymous, which is a child abuse prevention organization that is dedicated to strengthening families and creating caring communities that support safe and nurturing homes for children (www.parentsanonymous.org). I couldn’t find an official sponsor for Youth Leadership Month.
As a parent, and business owner, I want to provide not just my children, but all children, with the opportunity to develop leadership capabilities. The debate over what makes a strong leader has raged for centuries and I am not about to take on that research here. I do believe that leaders emerge for a variety of reasons and given the opportunity, people rise to the occasion when it is given to – or thrust upon – them.
I personally know two young leaders. One, at age ten, has started a business and also serves in a leadership role at school. The other focuses on honing leadership in athletics. It is gratifying to watch them struggle with, and develop, the best leadership qualities they can. I have overheard the conversations as they grapple with how to motivate others and how to assert their authority.
We are all leaders in some area(s) of our lives. What makes us effective? What renders us ineffective? Are we better leaders in some situations and not others? What leadership attributes are going to be most desired in the coming months and years (if that was a fair question to ask)?
Which leaders do we respect because of their character and beliefs? Do they provide adequate models for the next generation? Do we? We will eventually have to live with, and under the care of, the leaders we are currently grooming. Will they be able and willing to provide for the challenges they will face?
I see tremendous potential in both adults and youth for leadership development. I work with managers and supervisors every day who long to be better at what they do than they were yesterday. I see the passion they have for their work. I watch them try to comprehend the magnitude of the tasks before them. I also recognize when they get weary under the loads they are carrying. But, it’s not just me who is watching. It is their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and next door neighbours.
What do you suppose they see, when they are watching you?
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