As a leader and mentor in our youth leadership program, one of the most impactful discussions I have with young teens is about their core values. It's a conversation that opens doors to understanding oneself, relationships, and the world around us. Reflecting on my journey, I didn't delve into my core values until adulthood. However, once I understood them, I gained clarity on why certain situations felt the way they did—when my values were aligned or challenged.
Interestingly, when I ask teens where they believe their core values originated, their answers often revolve around profound experiences or lessons learned within their homes. This insight is powerful. It tells us that conversations about our core values can pave the way for deeper discussions at home. It's not just about assigning tasks or chores; it's about instilling values that benefit them within their communities and helping them define who they want to be.
As parents, we may shy away from difficult conversations, whether with our peers or our teens. Yet, avoiding these conversations can have a lasting impact, just as my own experiences with unaddressed topics shaped me. I share with teens that avoiding minor conflicts only leads to missing out on valuable practice for more challenging discussions. By modeling these conversations, we show our children that they can navigate tough situations, and so can we.
Conflict is an inevitable part of life, especially in homes with teenagers. Avoiding conflict mirrors avoiding difficult conversations—it's a missed opportunity for growth. Reflecting on conflicts in our own homes, I've come to realize that they can serve as learning moments for conflict resolution. We can turn conflicts into collaborative problem-solving exercises, teaching our teens valuable skills for navigating conflicts beyond our homes.
It starts with a conversation about observations—how we react, engage, and resolve conflicts as a family unit. Through open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, we empower our teens to handle conflicts effectively, not just at home but in various aspects of their lives.
In conclusion, nurturing leadership in youth involves embracing difficult conversations and conflicts as opportunities for growth. By modeling these skills at home, we equip our teens with the resilience, empathy, and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in their communities and beyond.
Looking for other ways to support your teen's leadership - check out my 10 Ways To Ignite Leadership here!
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