The Power of Example - Teaching Children to Lead

The Power of Example - Teaching Children to Lead

Children are our future. It’s cliched and maybe even a little cheesy, but it’s also undeniably true. We have to set the youth of today up for success so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow. One of the simplest and most effective ways to teach kids how to become leaders is by setting a good example. Just Us 4 Youth’s mentoring program is based, in part, on the idea that when children can see adults thrive, they can learn to thrive, too. Here are some ways you can lead by example and help make the future brighter and more confident: 

Value Education 
Children, at-promise* kids especially, need to see the value of learning. 

• Talk with your kids or mentees about how you’ve used what you learned in high school and beyond. 
• Demonstrate the power of continuous learning. 
• Consider returning to pursue a higher education. 
• Make time for reading, encourage it in kids, and talk with them about books. 

Display Commitment 
Kids need to see what dedication looks like. 

• Consider running and leading a community improvement project so your kids will be inspired to make a change in their own world. 
• Set goals as a family and have regular goal check-ins to show the power of sticking with your plans. 
• Be willing to have frank discussions about challenges you face in reaching your goals. This teaches kids how to push forward, even when things are hard. 

Model Kindness 
Good leaders know how to foster meaningful connections. 

1. Practice connecting with kids at their level so they know what a healthy relationship feels like. 
2. Modeling etiquette, such as saying please and thank you, is more effective than attempting to force your kids to use these behaviors. 
3. When you get angry, practice calming down in front of your children to show them healthy ways to manage big emotions. 
4. Be mindful of what kind of language you use in front of kids and what kind of messages that language sends. 

We can spend all the time we want telling children how to be confident adults, but showing them is a much better method. Children learn through watching, and they need proof to believe that tools can be effective. Be the example kids need to become empowered and confident adults. 

Learn more about how you can make a positive impact on young lives at Just Us 4 Youth.

- Jenna Sherman

*We at Just Us 4 Youth use the term "At-Promise" to remove the negative connotation that comes with using the term "At-Risk".