So much of my experience in developing leaders comes from working with teenagers. Over the past two years, as I have talked with other youth workers, I have started to notice a common thread in a few of our conversations:
The necessity for a student to show a readiness to lead before being given opportunities.
My approach to developing student leaders takes a slightly different path. Instead of waiting for students to show a competency for leadership, I have redefined leadership potential.
I treat teenagers as though they are capable of taking a leadership role, regardless of their age. Why? Because, they are capable of leadership regardless of age. Yes, Juniors and Seniors are more mature and can exhibit stronger leadership, but what are we missing by not developing those Juniors and Seniors as 8th and 9th graders?
I’m so grateful that in 9th grade my youth minister gave me the opportunity to start developing my leadership and passion for Christ.
On Thursday, I will continue this thought with a few examples and what I use to help students just getting their feet wet in leadership find ways they can contribute.
Like this? Subscribe here to get 3 Question Leadership posts in your inbox
That’s very true. I’ve always been taught to wait & see the leaders that come forward. I appreciate you giving me that to chew on.
I think there’s still part of it that comes down to “see the leaders that come forward” though. I would just argue that as we enable and equip students to lead in smaller roles, then we are giving them the opportunity to step up. Even in the students I work with on a regular basis, there are some who progress faster, but the others still have a chance and hopefully develop an awareness of opportunities.