Every just watched a group of kids playing and noticed the dynamics involved? If your a parent I'm sure you have. Some kids seem to get along great with others, some seem to play more on their own, some are nothing but trouble, and some seem very nurturing. Of course, whether it's a group of boys, or girls, or a mix of both will affect the group dynamics.

Can you pick tomorrows future leaders out of the bunch? It's not necessarily just the bossy ones you should pick. Think about the real leaders in your daily life, and what qualities they exhibit. Those that lead by example, encourage others to do better, and bring others together to work towards a common goal. Those may seem like lofty qualities to find in small children, but if you look closely, you will see some that do exhibit those very qualities.

Little Leadership Learned

Leadership is not just about being the one telling others what to do. While that may be a part of what leaders do, it only works successfully after they have earned the trust and respect of others. Trust in others instills others to trust you, as respect in others, instills others to respect you. Teaching your children to learn to trust and respect others will go a longs way in making them leaders.

While winning the trust of others is essential to leadership, it is not always easy for some to do. Those who can do it well, will be successful leaders in the future. As a parent, probably the easiest way to teach a child these qualities is through your own example when interacting with your children.

The Leader In You

While wanting your child to be a leader can be a good thing, it's not necessarily the right thing for your child. How can you tell? Do they seem comfortable in large groups of children? Do others respond well to their suggestions? Do they have an interest in setting the direction or style of play their peers participate in? If yes, then maybe they have some natural leadership qualities within them. These can of course be nurtured. If they don't, then that doesn't mean they are destined to be great leaders.

Whoever said "Great leaders are made not born" was on the right track. Taking the initiative, making suggestions, providing direction, being sympathetic to the problems of others are all characteristics that can make great leaders. And fortunately, they are also behaviors that can be encouraged in our children.