An election year presents an opportunity to connect with the young people in our lives. We can model empowering habits and skills to serve our children and young people we influence positively.
In a new era of business and society, skills such as being flexible, adaptable, and able to work cooperatively with those who are different from us in thinking, experiences, and perspectives serve us well. Having a growth mindset allows one to learn and grow. By contrast, simply complaining and focusing on an impasse and what can’t be done leaves us dead in the water.
Young people desperately need positive role models who exemplify accountability, responsibility, generosity, mindfulness, kindness, and community participation. Consider ways you can model positive leadership and positively impact our community.
Consider these five actions you can take to model leadership and mentor young people to help them develop valuable skills and experience.
Start with Gratitude
A great starting point is to focus on what we appreciate about our community. Put pen to paper and make a list. In this face-to-face interaction, discuss why each item made the list. It allows us to learn something new about each other and to identify shared values. It opens the door to connecting with our teens in a meaningful way.
Stay Informed
Each Thursday, Ladera Happenings includes easy-to-scan briefs with the latest news and announcements about projects, events, recreation programs, and more. Read Roots and Wings magazine together. Take time to read these updates with your teens and help make the connection between staying informed and actively participating in the community.
Go broader and sign up for District 5 Supervisor Katrina Foleyʼs newsletter at bos5.ocgov.com/newsletter.
Ideate
Divergent thinking is a thought process used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. Make a list of things your family members would like to improve, and create a list of as many solutions as possible, no matter how far-fetched the idea. By fostering divergent thinking, our teens become better creative problem-solvers. It instills the value and importance of being solution-oriented and a problem-solver.
Volunteer
Taking the time to volunteer helps solve the issue of entitlement in young people. Why? Because volunteering is about serving others. When we serve others, we see things through a new lens, which gives us a new perspective. Being able to understand othersʼ perspectives is a valuable discipline that can have a positive impact on our personal relationships, careers, problem-solving, and business. Ladera Ranch Community Services, Lions Heart, The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, offer young people opportunities to volunteer locally.
Participate
One of the benefits of teens participating in their community is that they will meet good folks. These are often genuine people making positive contributions that benefit the lives of our neighbors. Good things happen when young people actively step up, lean in, and participate in their community. Ladera Ranch residents can start new clubs, attend homeowner meetings, volunteer at community events, and get involved in clubs at school.
