It’s fair to say that kids who go away to college learn A LOT in their freshman year!
Well, so do the parents…
Wrapping up Freshman year for my twins, I am taking in all the wonderful, positive things that have happened, and how much my twins have benefitted and grown from this experience.
As I reflect on the parents’ perspective and the young adult’s experience, I see the analogies to leadership that apply to both the parent and the student:
👉 Problem solving and decision making – that now goes in the hands of the kids; the parents are there to support and advise (if asked).
👉 Vulnerability – as a leader, you don’t have all the answers and showing your vulnerability makes you authentic. As a parent of twin college students 1000 miles away, it’s new territory – you don’t know and can’t predict how it’s all going to go for them. And neither do they! So THEY are vulnerable too.
👉 Learning from Failure – great leaders are willing to push the limits and fail, so long as they learn and grow from it. That approach has a ripple effect on the team (your kids) and encouraging that mindset is a VERY positive thing for them.
👉 Being available (servant leadership): just simply being there for your kids to reach out to you is what I believe works best. Like it or not, it’s no longer your job as the parent to call all the shots. The burden of responsibility shifts to the kids. And most importantly, RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO JUMP IN AND RESCUE THEM FROM EVERY SITUATION!
👉 Leaders grow DAILY (John Maxwell) – your kids, through this process, grow tremendously through all their experiences and become leaders.
👉 Be a great communicator – this goes both ways, parents and their freshman students. Ask the right questions, show your support, make sure you’re in touch with how this experience is going for your kids.
👉 It all start with RELATIONSHIPS – just like any great leader / team member connection, the more effective you are as the leader at establishing a good relationship, the more effective the relationship will be and the more trust you will have.
Leaders are always learning and growing, and multiplying by developing more leaders…I’m looking forward to sophomore year and what we will learn, together…
I would love to help parents who are making this transition! Click here for a FREE 30 minute zoom: https://calendly.com/richbrunoconsulting/30min
