When we hear the word "leadership" we tend to think of all the high powered, leadership roles like the principal, the head of a company or even the president. You don't have to be in one of these positions to benefit from leadership skills. In fact, learning and practicing these skills early in life can be a great indicator of future success, both personally and professionally.
There are so many skills that a good leader possesses that it is hard to know where to start. We focus on 6 main skills at Ignite4Impact and a 7th one that is weaved throughout.
Over the next month we will be discussing these main skills and why they are so important to our young people.
What is a Leader?
Before getting into the skills, let's first define 'Leader" as it pertains to young people- pre-teen through college age students. Leaders are those people who take a stand for what they believe in. They are the ones who step up when no one can make a decision. A leader will...
- Guide others in decision making in a group doing a team project.
- Step in when friends are disagreeing
- Be a positive influence on friends
- Work hard to complete a task
- Encourage others to keep going
and so much more. A good leader is someone others look up to, seek advice from and go to for support.
Isn't that what we hope for in our children?
Leadership Skills
I think we all agree that we need more positive leaders in the world and it starts young. With so many skills wrapped up in an effective leader it is hard to know where to begin. It does begin at home when children are very young. Check out Education Starts at Home for a list of all the key skills to work into your daily interaction with your child, even from a couple months old!
Once they are older, however, more guidance is needed to cultivate those skills. We are going to be talking about the 7 key power skills all young people need.
- COMMUNCATION
- PROBLEM SOLVING
- WORK ETHIC
- TIME MANAGEMENT
- TEAMWORK
- LEADERSHIP (All the skills packaged up!)
- COMPASSION (The thread that runs through every skill!)
Emotional Intelligence
Before tackling those skills, we first need to check out emotions. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions, as well as the ability to recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others. While technical skills and academic achievements are important, it’s these soft skills—especially emotional intelligence—that often set people apart in both their personal and professional lives.
Teenagers are in a pivotal stage of life, learning how to interact with the world in new ways. They are likely forming deeper relationships, encountering stressors that may feel new and overwhelming, and figuring out your place in the world. Having the ability to understand and manage emotions can help with...
- Improved Relationships
- Better Stress Management
- Enhanced Decision-Making
- Academic and Career Success
- Self-Confidence and Personal Growth
Emotional intelligence isn’t just about interacting with others; it’s also about understanding and accepting yourself. Being emotionally intelligent helps teens become more self-aware, which allows them to recognize their strengths and work on areas that need improvement. As they become more in tune with their emotions, teens are better able to navigate personal challenges and maintain a healthy sense of self-worth, even when things don’t go as planned.
Building Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill that can be learned and strengthened over time. Before diving into leadership skills, teens need to ...
1. Practice Self-Awareness
Start by reflecting on your emotions. When you feel a strong emotion—whether it’s anger, happiness, frustration, or sadness—take a moment to pause and ask yourself: “Why do I feel this way? What triggered this emotion?” Keeping a journal or just taking a few quiet minutes each day to check in with yourself can help you gain deeper insight into your emotional responses.
2. Develop Self-Regulation
Self-regulation involves taking control of your reactions instead of letting emotions drive your behavior. When you feel overwhelmed, try to slow down your thoughts. Techniques like deep breathing, counting to ten, or walking away from a situation can help you regain control and respond more thoughtfully. Practice patience with yourself—emotional regulation is a skill that improves with time.
3. Cultivate Empathy
Empathy is one of the core aspects of emotional intelligence, and it’s about more than just feeling for others—it’s about understanding their perspectives. Practice active listening when talking to others. Instead of thinking about how you’re going to respond, focus on really hearing what the other person is saying. Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand their feelings and motivations.
4. Build Healthy Social Skills
Engage in meaningful conversations and learn how to express yourself clearly and respectfully. Healthy communication is key to building strong relationships, so practice being open and assertive, while also learning to listen attentively. Don't be afraid to give and receive feedback in a constructive way.
5. Handle Conflict Positively
Conflict is a natural part of life, but how you handle it can make a huge difference. When faced with disagreement or tension, try to stay calm and open-minded. Focus on finding a solution that works for everyone, rather than trying to “win” the argument. Conflict resolution skills are a huge part of emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is one of the most important soft skills teens can develop. It plays a huge role in how they managing relationships, handling stress, and making decisions—both now and in the future.
So, take the time to nurture your teen's emotional intelligence—it’s not just a skill, it’s a superpower that will serve them for a lifetime!
Next we will get into the main power skills!
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