How to Create a Home Environment That Instills Leadership And Responsibility in Kids

As parents and caregivers, we often want to create an environment at home that will be conducive to instilling leadership. But how? Instilling leadership can take many forms, and of course your individual family dynamic comes into play. But generally speaking, here are some tips on how to create a home environment that fosters leadership in your children. 

Have a Routine 

You may think that having a routine is creating followers by telling them what to do and when to do it. But actually, having a routine is purported to encourage leadership, because it provides security and a model of order and predictability. A good leader is not fickle - he or she is self-controlled and fairly predictable, so that those who are followers are certain of where they're going.  

Routines also teach organization, another important leadership skill. Organizing time is crucial if your kids are going to grow up to inspire others to follow. Include your kids in the development of your schedule and calendar, and show them how time is organized and tasks and activities are prioritized.

 Clear Boundaries 

As leaders, your kids will need to be able to define and enforce boundaries. Having clear boundaries in your home helps make expectations clear and lets your kids know how far they can go before they cross over. They will learn how to be fair and firm when boundaries are crossed, especially if you take care to consider the situation before enacting consequences. Not all boundary violations are the same, in other words.  

To be good leaders, kids need to learn when to be firm (such as when a boundary is blatantly ignored) and when to be lenient (such as when a boundary is crossed accidentally). Including your kids when you develop boundaries and consequences is another way to create a leader-building environment.

Appreciate 

When your kids do a job well, let them know. Give them positive feedback so they will learn how to give it themselves when they grow up to be leaders. A good leader knows when to pat followers on the back and appreciate their efforts.

Chores 

Yes, having chore lists is something that parents may dread, or they may have heard about it and just don't think it will "fly" in their family. But chores are one of the first ways that kids learn to be a part of the family "team," and being part of a team is an important way to learn leadership.

 Chores can be delegated depending on age and ability, and you can certainly include your kids in making the chore list. To keep motivation, have rewards for chores that are done well and on time. In fact, chores can be a way to earn privileges - your chore list can have two columns, one for chores and one for the privileges each chore earns.  

There are all sorts of things you can do to build a home environment that fosters leadership. Don't be afraid to be creative, and remember to include your kids and give them age-appropriate responsibilities.

Give Them Responsibility

As a youth group leader, parent, teacher, or other authority figure, this can seem like a scary prospect. Are they ready for responsibility? Can they handle it? Give them something to be responsible for that will build their self-confidence, but don't make it something that's life-and-death. Take your teens' personal skills, strengths, and weaknesses into consideration, too. Here are some examples of responsibilities for teens.

 *Running an errand for you, such as picking up something from the store. If they can't drive, you can drop them off to run the errand.

 *Opening up a bank account.

 * Let them lead a class or group.

*Get them to write a free essay about their favorite subject

 *Household chores like laundry could be delegated to the young adults and teens in your home.

 *Have them organize the set-up and clean-up of an event.

Jobs

 One of those ironies of good leadership is that being under leadership is often a great way to learn it. Youth and young adults would do well to work at least part time, thus learning responsibility and also learning what is involved in good leadership. Having a job is an important responsibility that can prepare young people to lead. 

Consider jobs like camp counselor or babysitter, too. Those are both jobs that put young people in charge of others.

Workshops

 Are there leadership workshops available in your area? If not, see if you can hire a leadership consultant to come in and speak to your group. Maybe you can find someone to speak to your teen's class, or hold a seminar on your young adult's college campus. If there is a workshop available, take your youth group to the workshop, or sign your kids up.

Groups and Organizations

 Organizations like Boy and Girl Scouts are also good ways for young adults and youth to learn leadership skills. Don't let the names "boy" and "girl" deter you - there are all kinds of opportunities in these organizations for youth and young adults. Other clubs and groups encourage leadership among members, too. Find out about what is offered in your community - even your local YMCA/YWCA might have some ideas or programs.