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The next generation of leaders is going to play an important role in what the future is going to look like for us. I discovered that age in combination with leadership isn’t a dilemma, because leadership is a journey! You are never too young and you are never too old to start on the leadership journey. But can I encourage you that leadership flourishes in a surrounding where this is stimulated and valued by others! That’s why it is so important that we train, equip & coach the next generation of leaders in a positive & effective way.

In everything we do we want to bring a leadership culture, empower & equip them, and give them a sense of belonging by getting them practically involved.

Think back to elementary school and high school, you see the leadership principles already developing in the young people. Popular students are the leaders of different groups, there are class leaders, they lead sport teams and more. What if we start training and coaching those young people and students already in an earlier stage of their lives in leadership?

If leadership is influence then young people are definitely leaders. They influence other people and lead new trends, fashion, technology and they definitely lead and influence their friends. You can have a positive or negative influence on others, the challenge is how they can influence others in a positive way. As leaders we want to leave a positive impression, that’s why we need to set an example for those young people.

But why don’t we invest time in training young people effectively in leadership? Older people can have trouble in their approach to young people and are sometimes even fearful that the next generation can do it better than them. Some people are negative and cynical about the next generation, a problem many people have is that they are uncertain of themselves and they project that on others. However will that stop us in training young people? But how can we become better in training & coaching the next generation of leaders? Is it actually necessary that we spend time on this?

The answer on the last question is ‘yes’. It’s so essential that we see the importance of developing those young people in leadership. Soon the teenagers of today are the new CEO’s & leaders of your businesses and organisations. You need to see their development as an investment! It is important that we spend time to develop young people, they are very driven & passionate to make a huge difference in the world. The younger you learn something, the more valuable it will be for the future.

But how can we take the focus off ourselves and start helping those young leaders? If we look to coaching we must not focus on ourselves, but on the client. We need to take the attention off ourselves and focus it on others. It’s not easy to do that in the postmodern world, because everything is self focused. Self leadership is amazing, because how can you lead others if you can’t lead yourself? But it would be awful if it stays at that level. My focus as a leader must always be on others. We have a culture in which scepticism and negativity is dominating, but let’s focus on the positive side and bring out the best in these young leaders.

There is so much we can do in order to train & coach young people. It doesn’t matter if it is in the business world, non-for-profit, church or school, we all can set up leadership programs and get young people practically involved in leading.

But I reckon it all starts at home with the family, and it starts at school with education & practical involvement! If we can set up Leadership Development Programs at High Schools it will change the world. When students learn at a young age how effective positive leadership can be, they will have a massive advantage when they are older. And the effect on society will be phenomenal, a whole new generation of good leaders will stand up! Lets start training and coaching those young people now in their early stages of life.

Be creative, put structure in place to see those young people be equipped & empowered and give them the leadership tools they need!

Personally I believe in the next generation and think that they can make a difference. Are you willing to work with them and start coaching, training and supporting the next generation? Let’s make a personal commitment to do this. Value those young people and make sure you train them in leadership!

I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

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