As a #TalkEarly Ambassador for Responsibility.org, an organization that promotes talking early and often with our kids about alcohol, I was invited to Washington D.C. for a discussion on leadership. We went all-in about characteristics of leaders, the leadership skills our kids need, and ways we (as parents) can foster leadership traits for this modern world we live in.
I was EXTRA excited when I learned Julie Foudy – two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist – would be leading the conversation. Julie played for the United States women’s national soccer team from 1987–2004 and finished her international career with 271 caps, serving as the team’s captain from 2000–2004 as well as the co-captain from 1991–2000. Foudy is the founder of the Julie Foudy Leadership Academy a camp I hope to send my daughter too when she gets older.
But before we get into the 5 leadership qualities important for kids this modern era, let’s decide what is leadership?
What is Leadership?
Leadership is the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Leaders wield power and influence, and are charged with the growth and success of its group.
Ultimately, what are parents if not leaders for our children? As you read through these leadership traits, think of how we can further model these characteristics in our own lives too. And with April being Alcohol Responsibility Month, I encourage you to check out Responsibility.org for conversation starters and more resources to get started!
5 Leadership Qualities
Growth Mindset: My parenting changed drastically when I learned how to motivate a Growth Mindset versus a Fixed Mindset for my kids. Much of this work changed my focus from an outcome to the process of learning. Let’s teach our kids “the power of yet“ and acknowledge the time and effort it takes to master a skill, versus the possession of the skill itself. Strong leaders understand that things are possible when your mindset believes it is.
Related: Growth Mindset for Kids: 75 Resources
Leadership Skills Our Kids Need
Courage and Confidence: Do we recognize the difference between courage and confidence? Contrary to many storybooks, the best leaders aren’t always confident and sure of themselves. True confidence comes from competency of a skill (mastery) and not a super-imposed mindset. Courage is the willingness to act and lead despite a fear of failure. Knowing the difference will help kids develop the skills needed to lead a group in both situations.
Healthy Risk Taking: Do our kids (especially girls) raise their hands even if they aren’t sure about the answer? Do they take a shot at the basket? Do they stand up for a friend and for what’s right? Qualities of a good leader sometimes include doing what others find too-risky. Learning to take healthy risks, with an underlining Growth Mindset and belief that failure won’t stop them, is what inspires us to follow our greatest leaders.
Characteristics of a Leaders
Willingness to be Wrong: Authentic leadership is all about having the courage to lead as yourself, which inherently means being wrong every now and then. When kids are taking risks, embracing a Growth Mindset and focused on competency and mastery of a skill, failure is guaranteed. Which leadership traits are evident in those moments? Criticism and condemnation… or a focused, positive outlook that can access a situation and lead a group to a remedy? Failure is not a bad word and should, therefore, be expected when leading a group.
Related: 8 Mantras for Kids Confronting Fear
Find Value In All Team Members: In our modern times, kids just can’t afford to dismiss people because of status or gender or personality. The personal secretary has a power you shouldn’t overlook; female coaches can lead NFL teams; quiet personalities can inspire just as effectively as loud, noise-makers. There are many types of leadership and each has significant value to a team’s success.
At our meeting, Julie made a point that players on the Women’s World Cup team demonstrated many types of leadership styles, from Mia Hamm’s quiet leadership styles – one which she characterized as “personal and cerebral” – to her own more outward, loud leadership style. In the end, Julie noted that the mixing of different team leader styles helped the team achieve its goals.
Commitment: This just comes down to good ol’ work ethic! Being a huge fan of women’s soccer (and her women’s team specifically), I was nodding my head as Julie Foudy said inspiring leadership quotes, like this one: “Success isn’t a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice.” She encouraged us to replace the word “success” with leadership, challenging parents to foster intrinsic motivation and mastery as a source of inspiration…. not the end result of winning.
Leadership Traits
Leadership Quotes
Julie is full of so many wonderful leadership quotes and ideas that parents can use in our everyday lives. I lean on them every day when parenting my kids, helping them to see and honor their own abilities while pushing them to look past fear and towards mastery.
Check out this video from our discussion and see if you can find a few quotes on leadership too..
