How to Raise the Next Generation of Leaders & Influencers
Leaders. Are they born that way or cultivated? Or a bit of both? That is a question that has many depths to it.
While we are not 100% certain of the answer to that question, we do know leaders are born around the breakfast and dinner table with their families. Leaders do not start in the boardroom or the virtual meeting; it needs to come from when they are younger. It doesn’t begin with a title or a team. And it certainly doesn’t wait until after that high school diploma.
When does leadership start?
Is it the child who stands up for another child who is being bullied at school? Or the sibling who cares for their younger sibling without being asked? Is it the quietest child in class, but the first to help a new student? Or is it the child that stands up for themselves when something doesn’t seem right?
Leadership begins when a child decides to stand up for a classmate or themselves. When they take responsibility for a mistake without blaming their sibling. When they wake up one morning, they pour cereal for their little sister and leave the last clean bowl for someone else. That’s not just being, nice, that is being a, leader.
If leadership is influence, character, and the courage to act — then our children are already leading. The question is: what kind of leaders are we raising?
We live in a world that tells parents to prepare their kids for college, careers, and achievements. We live in a world where we are told to raise the standout, the sports legend, the genius. But somewhere along the way, we forgot to ask a more vital question: Are we preparing them to lead?
Not just to lead others — but to lead themselves. To think independently. To speak with conviction. To listen with empathy. To rise after failure. And to live with a sense of purpose that isn’t dictated by likes, grades, or job titles. Live with a this passion that can carry you through out your life.
This blog post isn’t about raising future CEOs. It’s about raising the kind of people we need in every corner of society — whether they run a business, teach in a classroom, work behind the scenes, or raise a family of their own. Lifelong leadership isn’t a position. It’s a way of being.
And it starts — not in grand speeches — but in the quiet, ordinary, everyday moments of parenting.
5 Effective Ways to Raise the Next Generation of Leaders
1. Model Leadership in Everyday Life
Children learn by watching. Be the kind of leader you want them to become—treat others with kindness, lend a hand to someone in need, and talk about those moments with your child. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or thanking a grocery store clerk, small actions make a big impact.
2. Build Executive Functioning Skills Early
Skills like planning, time management, emotional regulation, and organization are the foundation of great leadership. Start early by teaching your child how to break down tasks, manage their time, and take responsibility for their actions. Establishing these skills in young people will create a lifetime of leadership.
3. Encourage Community Involvement
Leaders think beyond themselves. Involve your child in volunteering, service projects, or simply helping others. Show them what it means to be a good citizen and how their actions can contribute to the greater good.
4. Foster Independence and Trust
Give your child room to grow. Let them explore with safe boundaries—like going on a bike ride without a GPS tracker, as long as they follow agreed-upon rules. Trust builds confidence, and confidence builds leaders.
5. Talk About Leadership at the Table
Use mealtimes to spark meaningful conversations. Ask questions like, “What does being a leader mean to you?” or “How did you show leadership today?” Helping them define their own vision plants the seeds of self-awareness and purpose.