The national debt is embarrassing, and the value of the U.S. dollar is lower than it has been in years. Our kids will be paying off our debts all their lives.
Greater than this debt, however, is a debt I believes adults owe the next generation. It’s a debt that has more to do with our character than our cash. When I see a troubled young person, I can usually trace it back to poor leadership he or she has received growing up. I believe we as adults must re-think the way we lead our students. We owe them good leadership that will produce authentic maturity in them, not artificial maturity. Whether we are parents, teachers, coaches, employers, or youth workers, we have a debt to pay to our society. Consider these four debts we owe our kids today:
Clarity – this fosters focused direction
Clarity is one of the greatest gifts that adults can give children. In fact, it is one of the rarest gifts that leaders provide their teams. In this day of uncertainty, we must furnish clear values and a clear role model for what healthy adults look like. Clarity fosters focused direction. It promotes ambition instead of ambiguity. As much as possible, consider how to avoid being fuzzy about morals or ethics and about what is the right step of action in circumstances. Remember—you are not raising kids, you are raising future adults.
Where do you need to be more clear as you lead young people?
Transparency – this fosters validation and vulnerability
Transparency is contagious. When a leader models it, becoming candid about their own flaws and failures, it cultivates the same level of honesty in those who follow. In fact, I believe young people will not disclose their own struggles unless they believe they’re in a safe environment to do so. When adults model transparency, it validates the young people who are listening; they feel they’re not alone. Plus, it invites honesty and vulnerability on their part.
Where do you need to be more transparent as you lead young people?
Consistency – this fosters trust and assurance
As I reflect on my own parents, the greatest gift they gave me (apart from love) was the fact that their leadership and values were consistent. Often, parents ask me about how strict they should be with their kids. I think how strict we are is less important than how consistent we are, once we decide what the boundaries are. When we are consistent in our leadership with kids, it fosters trust and assurance in them. Kids know what they can count on and begin to take risks more; they can even extend themselves with their time and energy because they know it’s safe.
Where do you need to be more consistent as you lead young people?
Boundary – this fosters security
The word boundary is typically perceived as negative. Boundaries hem people in, and keep others out. They’re dividing lines. Yet, I believe boundaries are precisely what youth need as they figure out who they are. Just like a train needs tracks in order to make progress, so it is with students. The tracks kids run on must be furnished by adults at first. They don’t prevent growth and progress, they actually encourage it. When kids receive them, they gain a deep sense of security and safety. A boundary keeps the exploration from being destructive.
Where do you need to provide better boundaries as you lead young people?
