How Youth Can Ascend to Leadership

The torch of leadership is inevitably passed to younger generations, and today's youth, armed with technological expertise and a fresh perspective on global challenges, are primed to take the reins. But leadership isn't just about age or being tech-savvy. It's about mindset, skills, and the ability to inspire others. Let's explore how youth can ascend into leadership ranks and the essential skills they should cultivate.

As I work with youth, I encourage them to seek opportunities early on. Young individuals should proactively look for leadership roles, whether in school clubs, community groups, or entry-level jobs. These initial experiences lay the foundation for future roles in larger settings.

Mentorship is key to the development of tomorrow’s leaders. A seasoned mentor can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help navigate the challenges of leadership. Young aspirants should seek out mentors whose leadership style they admire.

Encouragement to be an avid continual learner is vital to emerging leaders as the world is changing rapidly. 

Leaders must commit to ongoing learning. This includes formal education, workshops, seminars, and self-taught endeavors.

This formal education, workshops and seminars will help youth develop their emotional quotient (EQ)as well as their intellectual quotient (IQ). As we know, leadership isn't just about making decisions; it's about understanding and managing emotions—both one's own and others'. High EI can lead to better team cohesion and improved interpersonal dynamics.

The things youth can develop are communication skills, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration abilities, time management, adaptability and ethical judgment abilities. 

Being able to convey ideas clearly and effectively is paramount. This includes mastering both verbal and written communication and becoming adept at public speaking. Leaders are often faced with complex challenges. The ability to assess situations from various angles and find innovative solutions is invaluable.

Leadership is as much about listening as it is about guiding. Working harmoniously with diverse teams and understanding group dynamics is crucial.

Prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and efficiently managing time are essential traits for any leader. These skills ensure projects move forward and objectives are met. In an ever-changing world, adaptability is a hallmark of effective leadership. Young leaders should be open to change and ready to pivot when necessary. True leaders lead by example, making decisions based on ethical considerations and demonstrating honesty in all actions.

Some additional skills to be built over time and with experience are networking skills, and visionary thinking.

Building and maintaining professional relationships can open doors to opportunities and collaborations. Networking is not just about taking, but also giving back and supporting others. While dealing with day-to-day tasks is essential, leaders also need to have a long-term vision. This means setting a clear direction for the future and inspiring others to join the journey.

The path to leadership for today's youth is rich with opportunities, but it demands dedication, self-awareness, and continuous growth. By proactively seeking experiences and cultivating the right skill sets, young individuals can not only rise into leadership ranks but also make lasting, positive impacts on their teams, organizations, and communities.

What youth are you mentoring right now? 

Best, 

Manal

Youth Leaders Are Changing the World

The world is changing, and the younger generations are at the forefront of this change. 

Youth and young adults are proving that age is just a number, and they can make a significant impact as leaders. They are taking up leadership positions in various fields, making bold decisions, and leading the way toward a brighter future.

One example of a young leader making an impact is Malala Yousafzai. At just 17, Malala became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her activism and advocacy for girls' education. She survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 and continues to fight for education and women's rights globally.

Another young leader making an impact is Greta Thunberg. Greta, a 19-year-old climate activist, started a global movement for climate action by organizing school strikes. Her activism has led to global awareness and action on climate change, and she has addressed world leaders at the United Nations Climate Summit.

In the business world, 26-year-old Andrew Yang made waves during the 2020 United States presidential election with his innovative policies, including universal basic income. Although he didn't win the nomination, his ideas continue to influence policy discussions and debates on economic inequality.

Furthermore, young people are leading in the technology industry. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, started the company when he was just 34, and it is now one of the world's largest e-commerce platforms. At 27, Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook, now one of the most influential social media platforms globally.

The impact of young leaders is not limited to individuals; it also extends to communities. For instance, at just 17 years old, Autumn Peltier became a leading advocate for clean water in indigenous communities in Canada. Her activism and advocacy have led to policy changes, and she has addressed the United Nations General Assembly.

Young people are making a significant impact as leaders in various fields, from activism to business and technology. They are breaking barriers, challenging the status quo, and leading the way toward a better future. These young leaders are an inspiration to their peers and demonstrate that age is not a barrier to leadership and making a difference in the world.

Best,

Manal

How Do Youth Build Their Leadership Skills?

 

Leadership skills are an essential aspect of personal growth and development, especially for the youth who are set to take over leadership positions in various fields. Developing leadership skills can seem daunting, but it is a journey worth taking. It is a continuous process that requires self-reflection, learning, and practice.

One of the ways the youth can develop their leadership skills is by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This process involves self-reflection and being honest about areas that need improvement. Understanding oneself is crucial to being an effective leader. It allows for the identification of areas that need development and strengths that can be leveraged to achieve set goals.

Seeking mentorship from leaders who have achieved success in various fields is wise. Mentorship allows the youth to gain insight from experienced individuals, which can be instrumental in their leadership journey. Mentors can provide guidance, support, and constructive criticism, which is essential for growth.

In addition, participating in volunteer work is an effective way of developing leadership skills. Volunteering provides an opportunity to work with diverse groups of people, which enhances communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Through volunteering, the youth can develop their ability to work in teams, manage resources, and inspire others towards a common goal.

Continuous learning and staying updated on emerging trends in their field of interest is critical. It enables the youth to be innovative and creative in their leadership roles. It also provides an opportunity for them to share their knowledge and skills with others.

Developing leadership skills is a journey that requires self-reflection, learning, practice, and mentorship. The youth can achieve this by identifying their strengths and weaknesses, seeking mentorship, participating in volunteer work, and continuously learning. Developing these skills early on sets them on the path to becoming effective and successful leaders.

Best, 

Manal

Mentors for Youth

 As a young adult in today’s world, one might wonder who to look for as a mentor. 

This article will give you some ideas of who might be a great mentor for you. This can also be used by a leader of any age, not just youth. 

The three top recommendations are find your mentors, learn about your mentors and decide how you will lead based on what you have learned from them. 

Find Your Mentors

When looking for a mentor - look for someone who has what you want. If you wanted to own a non-profit, following a for-profit organization leader might lead you to different philosophies and ideas. Consider what non-profit organization you have an interest in and ones that have a good name in your community.

Seek out those leaders by way of asking for introductions through common acquaintances. Learn how the organization operates, what their mission, vision and daily operational practices are. The for-profit leader may not  have the expertise or skill set in fundraising or event planning like the non-profit leader would.

Learn About Your Mentors

In addition to sifting and sorting what you're interested in, read books by leaders in the field  you wish to pursue. If you are not sure where your final interest will end up, talk to lots of leaders to help you identify the direction you wish you follow. 

Another simple skill you might pursue is that of asking a lot of questions from everyone you consider to be a leader. Ask them what they love about what they do, what their struggles are, and what they would have done differently if they were to do it all again. There are never too many questions. Keep asking them until you find your top mentors in the field that you wish to pursue. 

Once you have your mentors identified, follow them in all ways possible. See if they are an author, do they have a website, a blog, a podcast, and are you a follower on all of their social media accounts. Learn how they communicate, follow their responses to issues that arise, and watch their leadership style. 

Decide How You Will Lead

Then decide for yourself what you like and dislike about how they do things. To be the best leader, you must not just follow a mentor but be able to decide for yourself how you will want to lead your future followers. 

The world needs strong leaders of all ages - including YOU. 

Best, 

Manal