Leadership

     Most parents do everything they can to develop their children into upstanding, productive adults, but they may not realize how they overemphasize being a good follower and neglect to prepare them for being good leaders.  Parents are the first role models for leadership.  Children observe how you lead at home and in the community.
     Leading young children may require parents to be authoritative, benevolent dictators relaying their knowledge, judgement, values, and opinions.  As children mature, they begin to realize that their parents are presenting only one or two viewpoints.  The child may begin to form thoughts and opinions of their own.   At this point, parents need to become less dictatorial and more democratic and honor and encourage their children to think.  This shows the child a different form of leadership.
     Some parents, however, wish to remain authoritarian and don't want their children to disagree.  They take pride in reproducing themselves. Some children will continue to follow their parents' viewpoint because they are never encouraged to think for themselves, a perfect setup for remaining followers.  All children should be taught and encouraged to be leaders even if their personality doesn't seem to show they are "naturals."
     Children and adults will benefit by envisioning themselves as competent and self-confident, while becoming emotionally mature and socially adept.  Each person needs to understand themselves and others by developing their own viewpoint while honoring many other viewpoints.  This will equip them to become leaders.  By understanding the group and gaining their trust, a leader can form and implement goals that will benefit all. 
     Parents, as you train your children to be respectful followers, also show them how to be good leaders.  Instill in them the courage and self-confidence to assume positions of leadership.