Are you considering developing or supporting a youth leadership program? Go full blast because there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Leadership training maximizes youth potential, productivity, and outcomes. It’s a win-win!
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” Likewise, planting a strong leadership training program in the lives of adolescents generates a harvest of leaders for life. It will offer young people the opportunity to obtain these five benefits from a powerful seed.
1. Young people develop key skills.
Young people develop skills in communication, critical thinking, leadership, problem solving, and human relationships. Leaders need these skills to be effective in their roles. At the same time, young people learn about character, values, and ethics. Where would any leader be without them?
2. Young people build trust.
Leadership training inspires teens to dream more, do more, and be more. It all starts with confidence, and a good leadership training program helps each young person discover that they have the potential to lead. This potential is nurtured through learning activities, special projects, internships, and community service.
Think about it. Who doesn’t want to be considered a leader? That is why the best leadership training programs are inclusive. They include average and often overlooked students, not just A students.
3. Young people receive current and cutting-edge techniques, strategies and solutions.
Youth receive up-to-date information on leadership challenges, characteristics of leaders, what it takes to lead, motivate others, how to resolve conflict, deal with difficult people, effective presentation skills, etiquette, practical money skills, and more.
4. Young people gain experience through service learning projects.
According to Donald H. McGannon, “Leadership is action, not position.” Therefore, service learning projects provide action and valuable experience. Young people explore real problems while working with leaders from the nonprofit sector, business and government. At the same time, they build relationships with mentors who serve as positive role models.
5. Young people get positive results.
“If you don’t know where you are going, any path will take you there … if you don’t know where you are going, no path will take you there. A strong youth leadership program puts teens on the right path – one paved with opportunities. It positions youth for continued positive outcomes Skills are developed, information is imparted, and experience is gained.
