Leadership skills are formed from a young age – the time you invest, refining and chiselling down the rough edges is what makes your results superior and a cut above the rest.

Children are far more adept at learning on the fly than adults are. Their little minds are constantly absorbing information, digesting, compartmentalising and then storing it to integrate into their self-actualisation process later in life. What we teach children today is what they will become tomorrow. It is with this in mind that we are not just educating future South Africans – we hope that we are producing future leaders for South Africa.

Follow us as we investigate top tips for teaching children leadership qualities that will have a positive impact on their lives.

Practice what You Preach

Set the example for children and help them model their behaviour on someone that is a mentor to them. Children learn leadership skills instinctively – as a parent you need to align your values and actions with what you would like your child to practise. Teachers are also mentors and play a huge role in the developmental stages of a child’s life. Our teachers here at Masicorp take this role very seriously and they are constantly upskilling themselves – reaching further with higher education and training.

It’s Teamwork that Makes the Dream Work

To direct effective leadership, you need to know how to work together in a team as well as on your own. Children should be encouraged to participate in group activities as much as possible. School is a breeding ground for fun interactive activities – with sporting events, group work, board games for kids and more, which all play a vital role in forming leadership skills in children.

Communicate with Confidence

Children are naturally confident because they lack the social pressures and anxiety that many adults struggle with. Let their voice be heard and encourage them to speak up for themselves. Parents can encourage their children to be expressive in various ways. One of the most effective ways is to allow your child to tell you about his or her day during mealtimes. Even though this may seem natural, we tend to overlook the value in conversations with our family.

Encourage Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is one of the best confidence boosters for a child. Future leaders need to learn how to deal with success as well as failure. By encouraging children to take ownership of a project you are encouraging self-motivation and growth.

Someleze Jabe is a true testament to this statement. At only 16 years old, Someleze has created his own small business called Jabeson Bags. Our High School Sewing Programme @TheSewingCafe taught him sewing skills from scratch, that has allowed him to become an entrepreneur and make a difference in his community by employing local people in Masiphumelele.

Read for a Difference

It’s no secret, children who read are naturally inclined to learn more about the world. The stimulation from reading propels intellectual progress over a broad spectrum of subjects and it furthers a child’s general knowledge. Even if the reading is light-hearted, it can be an extremely useful tool to help children gain an early advantage that will help them build valuable leadership skills.

Masicorp has been actively involved in the community of Masiphumelele for 21 years now. By providing quality education, community support and development programmes we aim to uplift the people of Masi and help them secure a sustainable livelihood. If you share our vision and would like to play an active role in building a better South Africa for all; donate today.