Make your child a leader... ANONYMOUS

Leaders are not born- they are made. Men and women who run organizations, lead the community and captain sports teams are the product of conscientious parents who follow simple rules that foster a leadership mentality- strength of mind and independent thinking. These children follow their own beliefs.

Here are some ways to foster leadership mentality in children:

• Be a Booster: Confidence comes from being told, “I know you can do it!” and then, “You did it! Terrific!”

No success is too tiny to be complimented. But this does not mean we should praise insincerely and never criticize. Criticism should be coupled with both praise and instruction. Praise them for trying and instruct them on steps of doing in a right way so they succeed.

• Let them explore: Children (and adults too) admire and follow someone who is willing to explore, to rise to challenges. Yet all too often we teach our children to play safe. Try to let them explore new ways. Stop them only if it is dangerous, other wise a try is worth it.
• Focus on success: Persuade your child to think about success, not obstacles. The person who believes in success is the one who inspires others to follow.

Too often we step in and shield a child from mistakes, their consequences and lessons they teach. The child who gains inner resolve is the one who tries, falls short, corrects his/her errors, and gets up to do it again. The one who aspires others is the one who rises to the occasion even though he/she might fail.

• Listen to their dreams: Encourage their dreams, however outlandish they seem to you. What counts is the ability to fantasize, and to think about what might make the fantasies come true.

A leader has been described as one who can have a vision, explain it to others and influence them to follow his path to it. But the first step is the dream itself.

• Ask, “What If?”: 'Possibility thinking” is a trademark of leadership. Those who examine a problem and show others how to solve it invariably lead the way. Encourage the child to ask, “What if I did this?'
• Give them a chance: Leadership needs to be sharpened by practice. Just as a young leg spinner must practice his bowling to perfect it, an aspiring leader needs opportunities to nurture leadership skills.

Let your children strive for leadership in their own areas of interest. Some kids are leaders on the playground, others in the classroom. Not everyone can be school captain, or wants to be. Operating in an area where one feels at home builds confidence, the foundation of leadership.

At home, we can drill them on leadership skills giving them a chance to lead in some issues of house.

• Teach the basic Three: Family psychologists have identified respect, resourcefulness and responsibility as the basic characteristics parents should develop in a child. The children who try to understand and abide by the rules (respectful), who keep trying, or try new ideas when there's a setback (resourceful) and who face up to the consequences of their actions (responsible) will become great leaders.

Finally, It's not our words but our example that matters. Studies of leaders have shown that their parents, too, exhibited leadership qualities, though often in unrecognized ways. They considered community service important. They made a point of helping others. They had dreams for their families- couched in terms of values and standards, rather than material gain. Put to test, they displayed inner strength that brought the family through difficult times.

Nutrition experts tell us that if you want a healthy child, you provide a healthy diet: what you put in is what you get back. That applies in character development too. The love and concern you direct to your child returns in an inner strength and confidence that translates into leadership.