As a mother and internet marketer my life is a series on leadership management from leading myself, my children, and entrepreneurs around the world. In an effort to teach my beautiful children what I call the three L's of life my husband and I developed the Good Leader Club. Although, my son likes to call it the Secret Hideout Good Leader Club. I'm okay with that, after all I am teaching him to be a good leader and the president decided he wanted to change the name. So there you go.
Ezekiel our eldest son is the President of our Good Leader Club. Member benefits of our club include special facials, foot messages, and water park days. Yes, they love the benefits but more importantly they're learning about the value of a good leader.
We walk around our house saying things like, "Hello Mr. Good Leader" or "Good Leaders Don't Do That". Our club is structured like an organization. When we first started the Good Leader Club each of our children we're interviewed. We told them the positions were so important that they had to qualify first. Then after they qualified we had a short ceremony. Imagine little kiddy tables and chairs in our bedroom. Ezekiel, the first member stood in front of his brother and sister as I called the room to attention. I then announced in a proud yet professional manner, "I'd like to Congratulate the first member of the Good Leader Club, Mr. Ezekiel". I turned to face him and shook his hand saying, " I'm very proud of you". He smiled Ezekiel walks around saying, "According to my calculations Tom and Jerry will be showing in approximately...".ed while his brother and sister clapped with excitement shouting, "Yay!". I smiled because I saw the look on his face. He was proud and ready to Preserve and Promote Order in our household. To Preserve and Promote Order in our household is one of the Key Objectives of the Good Leader Club. During the interview I gave each of our children a speech which went something like this:
Mr. Ezekiel as a member of the Good Leader Club you are responsible for promoting and preserving the order of our household. Good leaders endeavor to be kind always, share, love, lead, listen, and learn everyday. As a good leader you are not only responsible for your behavior but obliged to teach others through example, consistency, and humility. Are you ready for the Good Leader Responsibility? Are you ready to Preserve and Promote Order in our household?
Keep in mind Ezekiel is 5 years old, his brother is 3, and sister is 1. I really did use all these words with him as I did with all of them. I don't treat my children as if they lack the knowledge to understand. I let them walk around with Encyclopedias. Ezekiel's favorite phrase with the Encyclopedia in his hands is, "According to my calculations Tom and Jerry will be showing in approximately...". Whenever they ask me for a new toy I tell them they should develop a proposal to ensure the toy is a good investment. They submit verbal proposals the next day after thinking about it. The reason I'm sharing this story with you is because I want to express the importance of leadership skills and how you as parent can actively teach your children these skills no matter their age. Leadership skills will help them succeed in school, profession, and life in general.
But I must forewarn you these ideas will not work unless you enforce them. Simply starting a little club will mean nothing if you as the parent do not remind them and really follow through with incentives and ideas. Our children consider god, my husband, and I honorary members. We've explained that we are their greatest investors. They love the idea. Thanks for reading and best of luck to you!
Andrea Felder is mother, wife, and internet marketer. Andrea's specializes in Online Network Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, and Attraction Marketing. Learn more about Andrea by visiting http://www.andreafelder.com/