Youth leaders play a crucial role in our communities, bringing new ideas, energy, and positive change to the causes they care about.
In a 2023 survey, nearly half of American adults (44%) said they rarely or never took on leadership roles when they were growing up.
As parents, teachers, caregivers, and community members, we have the opportunity to support the next generation in becoming responsible, caring leaders. Leadership skills help kids gain confidence, develop resilience, and learn how to work effectively with others.
Did You Know? February is Youth Leadership Month, the perfect time to empower future leaders by teaching kids how to be confident and capable!
We put together 5 simple ways to encourage your kids to develop the skills they need to become great leaders:
Let your kids make decisions
Give your kids opportunities to make their own choices. Younger children can make simple decisions, such as what to wear or which snack to eat, and as they get older, they can take on more meaningful decisions, such as how to spend their allowance or which extracurricular activities to join.
Making decisions — even simple decisions — requires youth to think carefully, consider different options, and accept consequences. Encouraging your kids to take an active role in their choices teaches them to take accountability and helps them develop critical thinking skills and confidence in their decision-making abilities.
Give your kids responsibilities
Provide your kids with age-appropriate, meaningful tasks to help them develop a sense of ownership and the ability to follow through on their responsibilities. For example, let your kids take charge of planning a game night, or have them help a classmate with their homework.
By giving youth responsibilities, you teach them that their contributions matter. Kids learn to take pride in what they’ve accomplished when they can see firsthand how their efforts positively impact those around them. Whether at home, at school, or during extracurricular activities, kids benefit from having defined roles where they feel valued.
Help your kids become strong communicators
Effective leaders make their voices heard, listen to others, and engage in meaningful conversations. Encourage your kids to express their thoughts clearly. For example, if they’re upset about something, ask questions, inviting them to explain why they feel the way they do. Demonstrate to your kids how to have a respectful and constructive conversation.
Joining clubs like drama, debate, or student government can also give your kids opportunities to develop their communication and public speaking skills. Many people — about 77% of the general population — fear public speaking. One of the most effective ways to overcome a fear is to practice it regularly. By learning how to speak in front of a group or guide a discussion, youth will be more prepared to take on leadership roles in the future.
Encourage your kids to work in a team
Leadership isn’t just about taking charge. To be a good leader, you have to be able to work well with others. Encourage your kids to participate in team sports, group projects, or community activities where they can practice collaboration and conflict resolution.
By joining a team or group activity, kids learn how to cooperate with and support their teammates while working toward a common goal, knowing that others are relying on them to do their best. Through teamwork, youth also begin to understand different perspectives and learn the importance of others’ contributions.
Teach your kids the value of service
Volunteering or serving others helps kids expand their outlook on the world and develop empathy and a sense of responsibility toward their communities. Encourage your kids to volunteer at a local organization, assist classmates, or engage in other acts of kindness, such as writing thank you notes to teachers or donating to those in need.
Engaging in acts of service teaches kids how to make a positive impact. When children recognize the power they have to make a difference, they gain confidence and a deeper appreciation for doing what’s right. By learning the value of service, kids strengthen their ability to lead with kindness and integrity.
By creating an environment that encourages decision-making, responsibility, communication, teamwork, and empathy, we can empower kids to grow into confident, capable leaders. Developing leadership skills in youth is an investment in their future. Let’s inspire the next generation to lead with courage and kindness!
