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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?
The following TED Talks will get the conversation - 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!
The skill of self-confidence - Dr. Ivan Joseph
Self-confidence is not the same as hubris. Self-confidence is an essential foundation for a leader - such an important lesson. This video also helps our teens learn how to inspire it in others!
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 the talks? Get the guide here!
Subscribe to our site and get your own copy of the Discussion Guide to "TED Talks For Aspiring Student Leaders".
Watch the videos and talk about them together...help your teen be ready for more than college after graduation: help equip them for life!
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…
I just subscribed and also cannot access the free discussion guide. Please help!
Hi Jessica,
I just sent you an email with the info you need…thanks for reaching out!
~Pat
I cant acesss the guide!
Check your email, Domeniek! Help is on the way…lol
hi there, thank you for the post, I am having trouble finding the discussion guide for this, the link isn’t working.
Any advice?
So sorry for the aggravation, Elizabeth. Just sent the direct link to your email!
Cannot access the link. May you please share.
pbernal1981@yahoo.com
Hey Patty,
Please check your email for my response!
Thanks 🙂