Exemplary Leadership Values to Teach Your Kids
Leadership, according to Kevin Kruse, a renowned author, “is a process of social influence which maximises efforts of others towards the achievement of a goal.”
Kruse posits that leadership emanates from social influence, not authority or power. He believes that leadership needs the effort of others to achieve a shared goal. Did you notice that he did not mention personality traits, attributes, or even a title?
As parents, guardians, and mentors, we are critical to building exceptional leadership skills for our children. By nurturing these skills from a young age, we can shape compassionate, responsible, and visionary individuals who lead with empathy and integrity in every aspect of life.
At Charterhouse Lagos, we are passionate about defining young individuals by the values they imbibe and the lifestyle they exemplify. Let’s explore the values we imbibe at Charterhouse Lagos and how they help cultivate exemplary leadership:
Excellence
Teaching children the value of excellence cannot be overly emphasized, as it encourages them to strive for their best in everything they do. At Charterhouse Lagos, we believe that excellence is beyond a skill or an attitude, it is a lifestyle that every leader should inculcate irrespective of age. Leadership helps to instil a sense of pride and develop a strong work ethic and a growth mindset.
Respect
Respect is a foundational value that children must learn to apply in their interactions with others. Teach them to treat others with empathy, kindness, love, and consideration, irrespective of differences in background or opinions. Teach them early to be open-minded, active listeners, respecting the opinion of others; this helps them build meaningful, healthy, and harmonious relationships.
Honesty
Honesty is a critical virtue needed for relationships to thrive. Teach your kids the importance of truthfulness, taking responsibility for their actions, admitting mistakes, and learning from them. For parents, it is important to create a safe environment for open communication, avoid being judgmental, encourage honesty, and provide guidance when mistakes are made.
Integrity
Integrity and honesty go hand in glove, and living according to these ethical principles helps drive exceptional leadership skills. Encourage children to stand up for what they believe is right, sticking to it, even if it means going against the crowd. Inculcate in them that integrity is not just a word but a guiding principle that shapes character.
Courtesy
It is critical to know that courtesy is not old-fashioned, nor is teaching good manners something of the past. Teach kids simple acts of saying “please”, “sorry”, and “thank you” to display empathy and showing appreciation goes a long way to building a compassionate and kind leader, who promotes a culture of caring and generosity.
Wellbeing
Leadership begins with self-leadership, and taking care of one’s well-being is crucial for overall success and happiness. Teach children the importance of physical, emotional, and mental health. Encourage them to adopt healthy habits, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and mindfulness practices. By prioritizing their well-being, children can better manage stress, build resilience, and become more effective leaders capable of supporting and inspiring others.
