How do you Teach Leadership to a 13-Year Old?

For the first time, I decided this year to bring my 13-year old daughter, Heather, with me to the Leadership Summit. Each day, every session, she sat beside me listening, taking notes, and asking questions about what she heard. I was surprised by how engaged she stayed with each session--even talks that I thought might be a little challenging.

A few days before the Summit began, she asked me, "Dad, why do you think I'm a leader?" We had a great conversation about what leadership is, how she can recognize it, what she does with that influence, and different ways that God might use her in the years to come.

I'm not exactly sure how to teach leadership to a 13-year old. I just know that I'm constantly trying to figure out how to get my kids in environments where they might grow.

I'm following a great model. Back in 1994 when I attended a leadership conference in Toledo with Mark Beeson, guess who was in the backseat of the car? He brought along Amber and Aaron--young teens at the time. Amber recently talked about this on her blog. I figure I'm following in some pretty good footsteps.

Comments

[Corey]

This made a huge impact on me from across the room. At first I thought, "Oh, Faith must have needed some help and Tim took one for the team...." but then I thought "No, he probably brought her-or she actually wanted to come."
That's because she has a front row seat at what a leader looks like at home and at the office.
Now all you need is a "#1 DAD" shirt.

[Amber Cox]

Tim,
If Heather is anything like me, and I think she is, she won't begin to notice the impact that Leadership conferences have on her life until high school, when she sees that none of her friends see things the way she does. Heather is a leader. I am proud of her and I think you are doing a great job encouraging her in that role.

[Tim Stewart]

Tim Elmore has a good book called "Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child" It has several good ideas in helping develop leadership skills in your children. I've used the principles within my ministry to college students. I can't wait till my son will be able to go with me to leadership events/expereiences.

[Judy Gregory]

It's unanimous...Ruby, Jeanna and I think Heather is absolutely amazing. It was both interesting and fun to hear her talk about her favorite sessions. Thanks for letting her do lunch with us.