Show leadership skills

What is leadership to a child? All of the above and more, of course. And so it is with use that leadership skills are not one skill set, but rather an amalgam of many different skills involving communicating, delegating, recognizing, empowering, and more. Leadership emerges from doing whatever it takes to do the right thing for others as well as the organization. Leaders can talk about what is right, but it only has meaning if they live by their words. To a member of a jump rope team, leadership is example. And so it must be for us.
Leadership is a cornerstone attribute that many in positions of power have used to better themselves, their people, and their organizations. As such it does not belong in the ivory tower; it is part and parcel of the fabric of a successful organization. Peter Drucker is often quoted as saying the best run organization is the Girl Scouts of America. The quality of the young girls who participate and the quality of the women who lead the Scouts are examples of leadership in action. Likewise, young people who participate in team sports, or any kind of activity that involves the cooperation of others to achieve a common aim, also demonstrate leadership attributes.
"Kids say the darned things," TV humorist Art Linkletter used to say. And while that is certainly true, our kids can also say some things that are occasionally profound. So while we often look to those is positions of power to exemplify leadership, we should not overlook examples of leadership that might be closer at hand, maybe even under our own roofs. The insights our children share can provide us with clues into what makes a leader, and in the process make the world a better place.

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