This is a guest blog from Jenny Wise.

Great article thanks Jenny!

Leadership skills are not just useful for politicians, team captains, and people in other positions of “leadership”. They can prove invaluable at various stages for people in all walks of life. That’s why it’s so important to instill leadership skills in our kids, and it’s never too early to start. Parenting Advice shares some ways that you can foster leadership skills in their lives while they are young:

 Be a Role Model

The most powerful way to teach your child about leadership is to model it yourself. 

●      Make sure you are practicing self-care on a daily basis, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

●      Display a solid work ethic in your job.

●      Be mindful of how you are managing your time, and remember to prioritize your family.

●      In everything you do, model consistency and perseverance. 

●      Take your own chances, such as fighting for a promotion at work or pursuing an online degree.

Find Fun Team Activities

A big part of leadership is learning to work with others, and there are plenty of fun activities that can help your child develop that skill.

●      Encourage your child to get involved in team recreational sports.

●      Arrange field games for your child and their friends, such as lining themselves up according to categories (e.g., birthday, name, height, etc.).

●      Arrange a scavenger hunt for your child and their friends that requires them to work together for a common goal.

Foster Their Confidence

Confidence is essential to any type of leadership.

●      Allow your child to solve problems themselves through experimentation.

●      Encourage your child to diligently practice anything they have an interest in to build competence. 

●      Regularly provide them with new challenges. 

●      Teach them how to use mistakes for growth.

Work on Communication

Finally, communication is another critical aspect of leadership. 

●      Engage in frequent conversations with your child on a variety of topics. 

●      Listen carefully to what your child says, and expand on their opinions.

●      Read books and articles often with your child, taking turns reading aloud. 

●      Teach them the importance of body language and nonverbal communication. 

It’s never too early to begin fostering leadership skills in your child. Being a good role model, finding team activities for your child to engage in, and helping them build their confidence and communication skills are all great ways to start.