Richard CrampCircles of Leadership: Helping children develop the capacity to lead
July 3rd 2008 21:04
In the movie 10000 BC the hero, D'Leh, embarks on a journey during which he matures from a selfish young boy to become a leader of men. The turning point comes for him when the elder of another tribe passes on the following words of wisdom ...
“A man draws a circle around himself into which he gathers his wife and children, and protects them. Other men draw larger circles, into which they gather together their cousins and other relatives. Yet there are other men who draw even larger circles from within which they care for, and protect, their whole village.”
Leadership is an intrinsic human characteristic; we are all capable of it and demonstrate it in varying ways. However, the extent and nature to which we reveal our capacity in this regard is determined by the size of the ‘circle’ we decide to cast around us, and how many people we decide to embrace within it. The question for each of us, but particularly our young people, is: which one of these ‘men’ am I?
As parents, mentors and teachers we should value and encourage positive leadership behaviours in our children in all of its varying forms. Opportunities to extend and develop such skills are plentiful; some are orchestrated through various school and community programs, others evolve through the perceived need for action by our children themselves, and yet others develop innately as children mimic various role models that they perceive as being significant to them (both real and fictional).
We cannot define the leadership roles that our children will ultimately assume for they are a function of time and circumstance. Hence, we will find that the size of their circle will change throughout their life’s journey. So, while we must let them describe their own circles it does not have to happen without guidance because irrespective of the extent of the circle of leadership they define for themselves there are certain qualities or virtues that are the mark of a good leader and which are not beyond the scope of anyone’s ability, adult or child.
Integrity
It is not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity! Likewise, a leader does not become a leader just because they say they are. We associate with good leaders because they are persons of integrity who will consistently do the right thing, even if nobody is watching, across time, moods, and other factors.
We can assist our children to develop the capacity to be leaders of integrity by teaching them to consistently practice four core virtues …
Wisdom
Wisdom comes when we understand that learning is a life-long endeavour, and cultivate that understanding through an ability to reflect meta-cognitively on one’s experiences and learn through both formal and informal channels. It is practiced but never as solely pragmatic or tactical act because it is about exercising the ability to make good judgements and decisions.
While our capacity to act with wisdom and make morally sound judgements develops with maturity, we can teach our children right from wrong, and assist them develop behaviours that may support them in making wiser decisions. These virtues include …
Compassion
Compassion is empathy, not sympathy, and is that quality within each of us that allows us to identify with, and understand, another’s situation, feelings, and motives.
It is, therefore, important to encourage children to consistently practice the following four core virtues …
Faith
Integrity, wisdom, and compassion define who we are, but without faith our individual character is held in a kind of limbo. I believe that Faith is an important aspect of leadership because it helps us to deal with ‘life out of context’ and confront those defining moments that test the depth and breadth of our character, and without exception lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves, our gifts, strengths, weaknesses and needs as well as those of others.
There three key dimensions of faith that we should assist each child to understand…
These qualities, and their inherent virtues, are an unconditional reflection of the inner-image that we hold of ourselves and as such cannot be concealed, neither can they be faked nor quenched nor artificially come by nor outlived, nor, I believe, in the long run, denied.
Present in all of us, these qualities shape our character; determine whether we have a soul, whether we have conviction, whether we have a conscience. They are in effect represent core points of reference that guide our decisions, thoughts, and actions enabling us to pursue the right course of action truthfully, morally, and sincerely. Outwardly, they are a window to our inner being through which others make an assessment of who we are, what we stand for, and the degree to which we are worthy of sharing their path and providing leadership.
In many ways teaching our children about, and encouraging their capacity to act with integrity, wisdom, compassion, and faith is a relatively easy and natural act. But each of these virtues is constantly being confronted; hence the real challenge is in assisting our children to be true to themselves, particularly through the adolescent years.
I believe that we are preparing our children for an uncertain future in which there is one certainty – we will need great leaders. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us, as parents, to take the time to teach our children about the ‘circles’ of leadership and encourage their capacity to lead within their chosen circle with integrity, wisdom, compassion and faith. For our wish should be that they will be the ones’ to draw a circle around the Earth and put an end to global conflict!
“A man draws a circle around himself into which he gathers his wife and children, and protects them. Other men draw larger circles, into which they gather together their cousins and other relatives. Yet there are other men who draw even larger circles from within which they care for, and protect, their whole village.”
~ 10000 BC, the movie ~
Leadership is an intrinsic human characteristic; we are all capable of it and demonstrate it in varying ways. However, the extent and nature to which we reveal our capacity in this regard is determined by the size of the ‘circle’ we decide to cast around us, and how many people we decide to embrace within it. The question for each of us, but particularly our young people, is: which one of these ‘men’ am I?
As parents, mentors and teachers we should value and encourage positive leadership behaviours in our children in all of its varying forms. Opportunities to extend and develop such skills are plentiful; some are orchestrated through various school and community programs, others evolve through the perceived need for action by our children themselves, and yet others develop innately as children mimic various role models that they perceive as being significant to them (both real and fictional).
Integrity
It is not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity! Likewise, a leader does not become a leader just because they say they are. We associate with good leaders because they are persons of integrity who will consistently do the right thing, even if nobody is watching, across time, moods, and other factors.
We can assist our children to develop the capacity to be leaders of integrity by teaching them to consistently practice four core virtues …
Honesty ~
by encouraging them to be truthful and sincere in their dealings with others, and when reflecting upon themselves.
by encouraging them to be truthful and sincere in their dealings with others, and when reflecting upon themselves.
Loyalty ~
by encouraging them to establish and maintain a commitment to their ideals, and others with whom they share a common a goal.
by encouraging them to establish and maintain a commitment to their ideals, and others with whom they share a common a goal.
Responsibility ~
by encouraging them to develop a sense of duty; to be a person who is dependable, reliable, and trustworthy without compromising their sense of right and wrong.
by encouraging them to develop a sense of duty; to be a person who is dependable, reliable, and trustworthy without compromising their sense of right and wrong.
Fairness ~
by encouraging them to develop a sense of fair dealing that transcends ‘self’ in their dealing with others.
by encouraging them to develop a sense of fair dealing that transcends ‘self’ in their dealing with others.
Wisdom
Wisdom comes when we understand that learning is a life-long endeavour, and cultivate that understanding through an ability to reflect meta-cognitively on one’s experiences and learn through both formal and informal channels. It is practiced but never as solely pragmatic or tactical act because it is about exercising the ability to make good judgements and decisions.
While our capacity to act with wisdom and make morally sound judgements develops with maturity, we can teach our children right from wrong, and assist them develop behaviours that may support them in making wiser decisions. These virtues include …
Intellect ~
by encouraging them to develop the strength of character to overcome the allure of mediocrity and to perform at an outstanding personal level as well as recognise experiences as opportunities to learn.
by encouraging them to develop the strength of character to overcome the allure of mediocrity and to perform at an outstanding personal level as well as recognise experiences as opportunities to learn.
Knowledge ~
by encouraging them to confidently draw upon an understanding of what they have learnt and use it with purpose.
by encouraging them to confidently draw upon an understanding of what they have learnt and use it with purpose.
Prudence ~
by encouraging them to develop the ability to judge between good and bad actions, and thereby make sound and cautious judgements.
by encouraging them to develop the ability to judge between good and bad actions, and thereby make sound and cautious judgements.
Temperance ~
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to exercise self-control and modesty in making and taking of decisions.
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to exercise self-control and modesty in making and taking of decisions.
Justice ~
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to moderate between selfishness and selflessness, and treat another equally to one’s self and to others.
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to moderate between selfishness and selflessness, and treat another equally to one’s self and to others.
Fortitude ~
by encouraging them to act in a consistently honest and decent manner.
by encouraging them to act in a consistently honest and decent manner.
Compassion
Compassion is empathy, not sympathy, and is that quality within each of us that allows us to identify with, and understand, another’s situation, feelings, and motives.
It is, therefore, important to encourage children to consistently practice the following four core virtues …
Humility ~
by encouraging them to be humble; to be a person who does not think that he or she is better or more important than another or acts in a way that humiliates or diminishes others.
by encouraging them to be humble; to be a person who does not think that he or she is better or more important than another or acts in a way that humiliates or diminishes others.
Tolerance ~
by encouraging them to be open-minded when dealing with others whose beliefs, behaviours or ways of doing things may be unfamiliar to them.
by encouraging them to be open-minded when dealing with others whose beliefs, behaviours or ways of doing things may be unfamiliar to them.
Forgiveness ~
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to cease feeling resentment or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake.
by encouraging them to develop the capacity to cease feeling resentment or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake.
Patience ~
by encouraging them to endure waiting and persevere calmly, without becoming annoyed or upset, when faced with delay or difficulties.
by encouraging them to endure waiting and persevere calmly, without becoming annoyed or upset, when faced with delay or difficulties.
Faith
Integrity, wisdom, and compassion define who we are, but without faith our individual character is held in a kind of limbo. I believe that Faith is an important aspect of leadership because it helps us to deal with ‘life out of context’ and confront those defining moments that test the depth and breadth of our character, and without exception lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves, our gifts, strengths, weaknesses and needs as well as those of others.
There three key dimensions of faith that we should assist each child to understand…
Faith in one’s self ~
which is based on a belief in the truth and strength of one’s core values, a trust in one’s integrity, and confidence in one’s ability to act in wisdom and with compassion.
which is based on a belief in the truth and strength of one’s core values, a trust in one’s integrity, and confidence in one’s ability to act in wisdom and with compassion.
Faith in others ~
which encompasses a fundamental belief in the oneness of all peoples that transcends cultural, economic, national and social boundaries; a trust in the good character of another; and confidence that we may live and relate to others in a Christ-like manner.
which encompasses a fundamental belief in the oneness of all peoples that transcends cultural, economic, national and social boundaries; a trust in the good character of another; and confidence that we may live and relate to others in a Christ-like manner.
Spiritual Faith ~
which is comprised of a belief in our spiritual heritage, trust in the morality espoused through our spiritual values, confidence that we are part of a greater whole.
which is comprised of a belief in our spiritual heritage, trust in the morality espoused through our spiritual values, confidence that we are part of a greater whole.
These qualities, and their inherent virtues, are an unconditional reflection of the inner-image that we hold of ourselves and as such cannot be concealed, neither can they be faked nor quenched nor artificially come by nor outlived, nor, I believe, in the long run, denied.
Present in all of us, these qualities shape our character; determine whether we have a soul, whether we have conviction, whether we have a conscience. They are in effect represent core points of reference that guide our decisions, thoughts, and actions enabling us to pursue the right course of action truthfully, morally, and sincerely. Outwardly, they are a window to our inner being through which others make an assessment of who we are, what we stand for, and the degree to which we are worthy of sharing their path and providing leadership.
In many ways teaching our children about, and encouraging their capacity to act with integrity, wisdom, compassion, and faith is a relatively easy and natural act. But each of these virtues is constantly being confronted; hence the real challenge is in assisting our children to be true to themselves, particularly through the adolescent years.
I believe that we are preparing our children for an uncertain future in which there is one certainty – we will need great leaders. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us, as parents, to take the time to teach our children about the ‘circles’ of leadership and encourage their capacity to lead within their chosen circle with integrity, wisdom, compassion and faith. For our wish should be that they will be the ones’ to draw a circle around the Earth and put an end to global conflict!
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