Guest–Contributor By: Jenna Sherman

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Helpful Hacks for Parents Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

Raising children is a tough job, and on top of that, it can be pretty complicated. For instance, you might be thinking there are no hacks or shortcuts when it comes to instilling leadership in a child. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that Rohingya Society of Greater Nashua (RSGN) can help. Dive into these handpicked resources for advice and tips on raising tomorrow’s leaders:

Start With Skills

If you asked a dozen different people what it takes to be a good leader, there’s a decent chance you’ll get a dozen different answers. Thankfully, Organizational Leadership Degrees has identified the following characteristics that you can count on in the best of leaders:

• Integrity stems from an inner value system and shapes great leaders’ choices.
• Leaders should be open to listening to others when making plans and decisions.
• The courage to follow through on those plans is a must-have. 
• Vigilance tempers top leaders; they have the sensibility to assess circumstances and changing situations to ensure best results.  

Actions and Activities

With key characteristics identified, moms and dads can start thinking about actions and activities that influence children’s leadership abilities. As you contemplate your personal role, address the ways you interact with your children with that end goal in mind:

• Look for opportunities to teach kids about doing their best, rather than letting them get by with the bare minimum.
• Support your children’s dreams and passions, especially when they seem lofty. This will help them to set the bar high for themselves.
• Challenge your kids; they shouldn’t always win, they shouldn’t always be right, and you shouldn’t do everything for them. Stepping up will stretch them and encourage resilience.

Educational Entertainment

Leadership is a serious subject, but that doesn’t mean developing it can’t be a pleasure. Next time you’re planning a family flick night, Fast Company suggests some films that can help your family members grow: 

• Kung Fu Panda 3. This 2016 film is rated PG, and it’s loaded with life lessons that will inspire young and old alike.
• MacFarland, USA. A PG-rated flick released in 2015, this movie will help your loved ones understand the importance of pairing service with leadership. 
• The Pursuit of Happiness. A film about tough times and perseverance, this 2006 option is rated PG-13 and promises to help bring out each family member’s inner leader.

Personal Growth

It’s not unusual for parents to feel inadequate at times, and moms and dads know their kids look to them for how to act. If you feel like your own leadership skills could use some brushing up, there are plenty of terrific books that can help you do just that. Here are a few:

• The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. Many people think of success boils down to winning, but this book digs deeper so you can, too.
• The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. A book dedicated to creating a better world with a level playing field, and thinking through the steps to get there.
• The Bartering Mindset by Brian Gunia. In order to be an effective leader, you need to be able to woo others to your point of view. Read this book to learn more about effective negotiation.

Helping your kids grow up to be great leaders is a journey that begins now. Chances are it feels like a pretty tall order, but these hacks will help. Keep the best characteristics in mind, make the most of your interactions, and enjoy some entertainment that doubles as leadership education. Work out your own concerns as needed, and with the right resources, you’ll give your children the wings and wisdom they need to be successful as future leaders.