As parents who have worked for a number of years will no doubt be aware of, leadership is one of the qualities that the working world deems most important for progression and success. A child who knows how to lead and when to lead is far better prepared to maximise life’s opportunities than a child who does not. Here a simple 4-step process you can consider to help nurture your child’s leadership skills:
Here at The Learning Lab you will find us talking quite often about independent learning and independent thinking for our students, both of which are important. The first is when students who have developed good study habits can be counted upon to follow instructions, complete their assignments or read up on a certain topic with minimal supervision. But independent thinking, while less applicable when doing homework or studying for exams, is just as important if not more so.
An independent thinker goes beyond the instructions he or she is given, interprets the available data to form his or her own conclusions, and demonstrates initiative in striking out for new areas of knowledge. Children who think independently are less likely to follow by default, and more likely to assert themselves.
Children are also naturally curious, and parents can develop this curious streak by encouraging their children to think further about the ‘whys’ and the ‘hows’ behind the objects, concepts or scenarios being encountered. For example, a child who is fascinated with the sound a car engine makes could be gently nudged into finding out more about how engines work, or into making active comparisons between larger and smaller vehicles (a bigger engine is needed to power a bigger vehicle, and so on and so forth).
It is one thing to form your own opinions, and another to make them heard. To be placed in a position to lead, one must first be heard and noticed - a principle that unfailingly applies across all of life’s different stages. Communication is also one thing all leaders have to do, and that some do better than others. At the most basic level a leader has to be clear in his or her instructions, so that other members of the group know what to do.
A leader also has to be able to convince the other members of the group that the decision he or she has made is the right one. In other words, your child must learn to be willing to speak up, and to do so confidently and fluently when given the opportunity.
In this digital age, speaking up does not only have to be verbal, or in-person. Emails and presentation slides are also important tools, and both oral and written skills are crucial components of being a good communicator. The key lies in being able to communicate what you want to say simply and concisely while knowing your stuff. Secondly, practice makes perfect. The more often your child flexes his or her speaking and writing muscles, the better they will get. This is why The Learning Lab provides plentiful opportunities and resources for the development of writing and speaking skills for our students in class.
There are many books about leadership, but one could read all of them and not be any better at leading without first being exposed to a variety of experiences and people. To lead people well, a leader must first understand what makes them tick. What do people want? What are the best ways for getting people to work together towards a common goal? The answers to these questions apply equally in the boardroom as in the playground.
By exposing your child to different situations where different people behave differently, you are helping him or her slowly build up a bank of such answers that they can draw upon in the future. Expand your child’s horizons by taking them to new places, introducing them to new activities, and getting them to meet new friends.
Very few people, if any, are born knowing how to lead. Some of us are also more introverted or shy by nature, and require more effort and time before feeling comfortable enough to lead. Some of us are pushed to lead earlier in life, while others are content and allowed to keep a low profile.
There are differing styles of leadership, some which come more naturally to certain people than others. What this means is that people come by their leadership skills at different speeds, and through different paths. Therefore, it is important for you to take a long view of the process of your child acquiring leadership skills, even as you provide your child with the opportunities to develop these skills, and help build his or her confidence.
At The Learning Lab, we know that tackling life’s challenges requires crucial skills that go beyond what is taught in the classroom, and that have to be inculcated through a long-term, dedicated process.
Leadership is one such skill, and we want to help empower your child with the right attitudes for success, nurturing in them a penchant for asking the right questions and the ability to communicate the right answers.
The Learning Lab is now at locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 67338711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.