Book Review - NURTURING THE LEADER WITHIN YOUR CHILD – WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW: BY: TIM ELMORE FORWORD BY: JOHN.C.MAXWELL

Today, we are having an abundance of all materialistic resources but, a shortage of good, effective & consistent leaders. This book guides parents and/or teachers on how to develop the leadership skills of a child who: 1) who has leadership qualities as a god gift and 2) who doesn’t have a god gif. We as parents or teachers can cultivate and develop these skills in children. After all, as they say, a child’s mind is like that of wet cement; whatever you put in it leaves an impression!

The book has been divided into four major sections for easy understanding and effective implementation. The reader must not hurry towards the end, one must read, answer all vital questions asked and try to articulate the facts accordingly. By doing so, it can effectively and interestingly lead you, as a mentor, to a child’s heart and his brain as well. The book contains a variety of examples, thoughts, activities etc. to ensure that effective implementation doesn’t get blocked.

PART 1:  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Be clear and specific of your expectations from the child considering his capabilities. Each generation has been clearly classified with the particular characteristic they would carry keeping in mind their attitude, attributes, traits, values etc. for easy understanding and bridging the generation gap between the parent & child or teacher & student. It is a must for every adult to think like a child or teenager to understand their view point and win over their hearts, so that he/she can be influenced towards a better life.

PART 2: WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW

As adults we forget to inculcate a major value in children – knowing thyself! They must know themselves very well so that they can build a character, have a perspective of their own and become courageous. Children must be put in two categories, born leaders and made leaders. Once the segregation happens, they must be taught lessons of leadership fountain, leadership formation, leadership fitness, leadership fruitfulness and reach up to leadership focus & finale.

PART 3: WHEN TO SEIZE THE MOMENT

Moses, a Hebrew Prophet, thought of 5 important aspects on parenting almost 4000 years ago, I’m surprised to know that these aspects stand equally valid even in this 21^st century. His philosophies can be categorized as under:

1.      Areas of prime concern to navigate through life

1.  Leaders must learn to prioritize relationships
2. We teach what we know BUT we reproduce what we are
3. Quantity of quality time spent rather than arguing on whether quality or quantity of time matters
4. Utilizing mealtimes, travel times and bed times and wake up times, as primary teaching time

The lessons thus taught will not only be remembered for a life time but the memories created thereof shall be cherished forever by your children or students. This section is the longest in book, discussing further ahead about how to invest in values to be inculcated in your children to make sure that they don’t simply reach the top but stay there for long.

PART 4: HOW TO PASS IT ON

Mentoring our own kids or students can be very challenging especially because it involves a lot of learning for ourselves too. It means we shall have to keep questioning our every step and make every move very carefully, because you are the one influencing your kids the most. It specifically includes imparting through various methods like instructing, demonstrating, experiencing and assessing. It focuses on the fact that imitation and interview create an impact that lasts forever.

To conclude, I would say that in a nutshell, this books I very interesting, informative as well as practically implementable. It is easy to read due to the humor used. It should be read and implemented one at a time, slowly but steadily. One last word is that, it is a misconception that this book is only a parenting guide, no, moreover it is a guide for all who are mentors and guides.