Share this tip sheet with parents to help them recognize the leadership skills and abilities they use every day to manage their household and guide their children. Encourage parents to reflect on the skills they already use and the ones they want to strengthen. Parents can also use this resource to write down their plans to strengthen a particular skill.
You use powerful leadership skills and abilities as you manage your household every day and guide your children in the little and big tasks of life. Here are just a few of the leadership skills you use every day.
- Lead by example. Act as a role model and hold yourself to high standards, such as being fair and honest and following through with commitments.
- Communicate and actively listen. Use two-way communication without interrupting, and make your points calmly and clearly.
- Negotiate. Include everyone in making decisions when possible, but be able to make the final decision when necessary.
- Value feelings. Understand and manage your own emotions and recognize and value the emotions of other people.
- Motivate and inspire others. Engage people in ways that boost their enthusiasm and confidence about completing a task or achieving a goal.
- Be positive and flexible. Maintain a positive attitude by staying upbeat and optimistic. Be able to adjust and adapt when things do not go as planned.
- Accept mistakes. See mistakes as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Reflection Activity
Review the list of leadership skills below and ask yourself: Which ones do I use often? Which ones do I want to use more often? What do I want to do to strengthen this skill?
- Lead
- Communicate
- Negotiate
- Value
- Motivate
- Be Positive
- Accept
After reflecting on your skills, write down your thoughts. Download the PDF version and complete the table on page 2.
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Last Updated: April 17, 2019