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Shaping children as leaders benefits them in the future
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AS progressive 21st century educators we often talk of managing our child’s future, but what does that really mean? From Shanghai United International School’s perspective, that means empowerment and fostering leadership potential. What follows are some helpful tips for parents and schools.
A simple definition of empower is “to give authority to,” but today’s leaders are expected to be more than authority figures. They are expected to demonstrate integrity, communicate effectively, delegate meaningfully, empathize compassionately and be worthy role models.
Schools have always had a special responsibility when it comes to molding leaders. We have long heard stories of the elite boarding schools in North America and the UK and their successful traditions of shaping leaders, but here are four simple strategies embraced by teachers and leaders in our schools that you can implement to help you, your family, and/or your school shape young people of quality — young people ready to lead us into the future.
Teach and model value. Leaders thrive in values based cultures. What are the core values of your family, or school? How are they articulated and modeled by you as parents, your staff, and/or your administration? These values should be the backbone of your home and/or school culture of student leadership.
Be committed. Leaders are not appointed nor born, they are molded, sculpted, formed. Make time for this. It is not always an easy process, but a rewarding one. Whether you are seeking input from your children when making a family decision, or looking for someone to lead your student or athletic council, make sure you provide young people with on-going mentoring and training. Do not just appoint them or ask their opinion. Be there for them. Listen, advise, give feedback, and coach.
Let go. This is critical, especially in schools. If we organize an event or classroom activity ‘our way’ it may well be tight knit and run smoothly, not to mention impress parents and supervisors. However, if we “let go” and give students real authority to create and organize, things may not be as smooth, but we will be educating and providing them with the chance to learn through doing. Is there any better way to grow?
Reflection and goals setting. Of course, the events student leaders sponsor and meetings they lead will be imperfect, but this is where we again play the role of coach, reflecting with them and helping them set goals for improved performance. Moreover, as schools engage in sponsoring student leadership they too must reflect and set goals, the most important of which should be educating parents and the community about the process. Likewise, families can let their child’s teachers and schools know about leadership targets being set at home.
Finally, there are many benefits for schools and for children of facilitating a culture of student leadership. Effective student leaders can help us create and maintain healthy community norms, as well as support us with decision making. They can help other students obtain higher levels of proficiency and aid us in the mediation of disputes. Most importantly, they play an instrumental role in creating a sense of stability, safety, and trust, all of which are essential to the learning process.
Richard Eaton has served Shanghai United International School as a teacher, building principal, and group level executive.
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