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Leadership...
...during this election year, it's becoming more and more apparent that we have a great lack of leadership in our country.
Sure, we have plenty of people holding leadership positions. But as I listen to speeches and soundbites on the radio, TV or internet, I often find myself wondering...what happened? It's amazing to me how some of our leaders managed to get elected to the office they hold!
With the goal of trying to effectively educate the next generation, and without trying to advance any political agenda, may I ask a question? In this age of questionable ethics, muddled morals and wavering positions, our children are watching how our leaders behave and learning what leadership entails.
(Now, mind you, the lessons aren't always good ones, and they are often muddled or downright bad.)
But how DO we teach good leadership skills?
What skills need to be taught - or caught - by our kids so that when they assume leadership roles in the future, they are qualified and trustworthy, creative and inspiring?
Let me suggest the following TED Talks to get the conversations - and the lessons - started!
Watch some or all of the following videos as a family. If you're interested in digging deeper, I've put together a discussion guide to use while you watch them, which you can access below.
TED Talks for Aspiring Student Leaders
Start with "Why?" - Simon Sinek
Good leaders are inspirational! Learn something you might not expect from the Wright Brothers.
Everyday Leadership - Drew Dudley
Are you uncomfortable with calling yourself a leader? Well, maybe you should pick up a bucket of lollipops!
Listen, learn...then lead - Stanley McChrystal
This retired Army Brigadier General describes the journey of his understanding of leadership.
Don't have time to watch all these videos now?
Pin this post to save for later!
How to Start a Movement - Derek Sivers
This short and amusing talk suggests a different "take" on leadership - what do you think?
Learning from Leadership's Missing Manual- Fields Wicker-Miurin
Interesting vignettes of leaders in other countries: stories of regular ol' people and how they developed and emerged as leaders by being committed to a vision.
This is What It's Like to go Undercover in North Korea - Suki Kim
Does this gripping and touching story teach us what to teach, or what not to teach, our future leaders?
Enjoy these talks? Then get the Guide!
These questions will help you help your teen (or almost teen!) start thinking about important issues related to leadership, and begin to develop these qualities in themselves. This technique may also give them the tools they need to battle peer pressure and strengthen solid decision-making skills.
If you liked this post, and want immediate access to the discussion guide I referred to, please subscribe to this site. You'll also receive more tips and inspiration to help you develop a lifestyle of learning for your family, making your homeschool the best it can be! My passion is to encourage parents with teens in their homeschooling efforts...let me walk with you on the journey!
Ready to find out more?
Sign up for my newsletter: Top-of-the-Week Breakthrough! You'll get unique subscribers' information, discounts on useful products, homeschool teacher book recommendations, and generally be equipped and inspired to keep homeschooling through high school - launching your teen into an exciting future!
You may also be interested in taking a look at the companion post to this: 10 TED Talks Your Teen Needs to Watch Before Graduation.
Where can I find the discussion guide for these TED Talks?
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for asking! You can download it here: hhttp://patandcandy.com/AspiringLeadersDiscussionGuide and I fixed the post so the link is above. If you use and enjoy it, I hope you let your friends know about it, too!
Hi, I am trying to access the discussion guide questions, but I can’t seem to find it… I subscribed, and I also tried clicking on the link in the previous comment, but nothing is working… Please let me know how I can find the discussion questions. Thank you!
Cailin,
The link is in the “thank you” I send out after subscribing. I’ve already emailed you, so you even may be good to go already even as I write this!
Thanks for asking 🙂
i cannot access the discussion guide and tried to do as mentioned in the previous comments left about accessing it but it is not working. Could you please direct me as to how I can go about getting them . Thanks
Hi Melanie! Sorry for your troubles. I just sent you an email that should straighten everything out!
Thanks so much for subscribing…