It is often said that leaders are born, not made. This is not true since many leaders were quiet and reserved in their childhood and developed leadership qualities later in life. Let us look at some of the qualities which are required to be a leader and also how to encourage those qualities in children.
1. Integrity: Parents are the role models for children. Children imitate parents and learn things in childhood. It is advisable to tell stories which uphold the morale of integrity and develop integrity in children. Story telling is an age-old tradition which is the best method to inculcate various qualities and human values in children.
2. Courage: Courage is a great quality which is essential to be a leader and to take risks in life. It is necessary to try anything new. With courage children will take up dashing actions later in life. Whenever you find your child showing courage, do appreciate it, praise it and also give it a token of your appreciation. This will mean a positive reinforcement and the child will become more courageous in the subsequent period. Stories will be of immense help in nurturing courage in children, especially the stories of Prahlad.
3. Creative, independent thinking: One has to ask questions in order to develop this quality. Talk to your child about any subject, but do encourage lot of questions like “why?”, “how?”, “what?” etc. which goads them to think further. Encourage independent thinking in your child. It is very important for parents to listen to their children. Listen to your child’s ideas and suggestions with utmost concentration. Never ever blatantly negate it or laugh at it. Children develop a good sense of reasoning if they are listened to.
4. Confidence: Confidence is one of the most important qualities which is required for success in any field in general. Do not criticize your child as far as possible, but praise the child for each and every good thing it does. Talk to the child about its strengths and achievements. Try to develop the positive qualities of the child further. Pick one good quality of your child a day and take all possible measures to develop it.
5. Responsibility: A leader takes responsibility. Teach your child that he or she is the boss in his or her life. Children should not learn to blame others for a mistake they did. It is better to nip the bud of a weed when it gets formed. Children should be able to take responsibility of what they do. They should also develop the decency to apologize for any mistake they did. Childhood is a very productive and sensitive period in everyone’s life. Good habits should be formed then only.
A child should understand that he is responsible for his actions. He has no control over other people. He is not supposed to have control over others’ actions. He has full control over his actions and reactions. Indian mythology is a rich source of human values and morals. They offer potential help in developing great values in children. Parents can tell them such stories, real life incidents which stand for some human values, and also how to implement those values in our life.
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