Youth Leadership
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BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
he development of leadership areas: educational, entrepreneurial/business, contributes greatly to the positive religious, entertainment, relationships, development of young people and leadership, personal development, and their communities. Leadership parenting. As a result of his experience and skills, such as goal setting, expertise, he has been featured 180+ times problem-solving and sound decision-making, in various media outlets, including The are not just necessary for leaders - these skills Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Thrive are needed for success in Global, Goalcast, MSN, Yahoo, today’s world. Helping young Yahoo Finance, Redbook, Insider, people develop leadership podcasts, radio/TV shows, competencies makes them magazines, newspapers, etc. better able to solve community problems and enhances Q: What does leadership in teens their civic participation. By look like? supporting and engaging young A: Leadership in teens can leaders, adults, organizations, be identified by the illustration and communities experience of the following traits. 1. Catches direct benefits, through stronger on quickly to instructionsconnections to other young Leaders are typically a few steps people in the community. ahead of the pack. Because of DAMON “DARIL” NAILER Multifaceted, passionate, this, they must be able to grasp and skilled all describe Damon “DaRil” Nailer. and comprehend concepts faster than others. With hundreds of speaking engagements and This is what causes them to advance and many published works under his belt, Damon grow at a more rapid pace, enabling them to is known as a “Renaissance Man,” Inspirational remain at the forefront. Believe it or not, this Communicator, Gift Guru, and Authority/ attribute can be recognized early in a person’s Expert who provides direction, inspiration, and life, even during teenage years. 2. Diligenteducation to any audience. Mr. Nailer possesses This is a critical leadership characteristic that a wealth of knowledge in the following can also be observed at an early age. A teen’s 106 MARCH 2021 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM
work ethic will ultimately determine his/her opportunities and success in the workforce. Those who master this principle will be able to maintain employment throughout their lives. 3. Good Communication Skills- All leaders possess the ability to clearly articulate their ideas, ambitions, goals, and dreams. I have witnessed teens who exemplify this quality. As a result, they are often called on to organize various activities and lead different youth groups. 4. Problem-Solving Skills- When things go awry, people tend to look to the leader to fix everything. Even among teens, this holds. Teenagers who are leaders will boldly face, as well as overcome obstacles and solve problems. They won’t shirk their responsibility, run from the opposition, or be afraid to address issues, but they will step up to the plate and be accountable. 5. Independent- Leaders are known for setting trends, standing out, and creating their own lanes. These acts generate from independence. Teen leaders will be able to complete certain tasks without any assistance. They will be capable of figuring things out independently instead of always relying on others for help. 6. Influential- It’s one thing to speak, but it’s another to be heard. At any age of living, there will always be those who their peers look up to and take heed of their advice. Teenagers are no different. This attribute is what makes the difference between a teen leader and a teen follower. Those who are leaders have the unique ability to influence the thoughts and actions of their friends/associate. Q: What is a good way to determine if my teen is involved in leadership activities? A: A good way you can determine if your teen is involved in leadership activities is to ask yourself the following questions: Is this activity challenging my son/daughter to problem solve and use his/her reasoning abilities? Your son/daughter being involved in activities and groups that challenge them to use their logic, troubleshoot, and figure out solutions will develop the leader within him/her. Is my teen being exposed to quality character traits such as diligence, respect, integrity, teamwork, professionalism? Be it school, the workforce, or the community, the previously mentioned characteristics are essential to growing, being effective, operating efficiently, maintaining employment, receiving promotions, establishing healthy relationships, and the list goes on. These are essential life skills that will enable your teenager to mature and become a productive, successful citizen. Is my teen being taught how to explore him/herself and be aware of his/her gifts, strengths, weaknesses? A leader must be fully aware of his/her gifts, positive attributes, and shortcomings. If he/