Teens face remarkably complex challenges in today's world. Whether facing an offer to take drugs from a friend or the decision to purchase an expensive item marketed directly to them, teens need the self-confidence and decision making skills that will protect and help them to overcome fear and greed. Many words define the character of such a person: courage, service, devotion — but all are embodied by a single word: Leadership.
"Leadership: Lessons for Homeschooled Teens," by Dr. David P. Byers and his wife, Chandra Byers, is a comprehensive look at the characteristics good leaders exhibit and demonstrates how these characteristics can be developed in teenagers. The book is filled with examples both past and present of good leaders, and the Byers are quick to point out that leadership comes in many forms and is not exclusively tied to wealth, position, popularity, or power. As Dr. Byers states, .Some of the greatest leaders we.ve known … have worked as janitors, grocery clerks, truck drivers, waiters and waitresses, and parents … positions that many would never associate with leadership.
The book is designed as a one-semester homeschooling course and includes a syllabus with weekly reading and writing assignments. The course encourages teens to ask questions — "Why? How? What if?" — to help them become lifelong learners and develop vision that will help them look at things from different perspectives. Above all, they stress that good leaders are usually good followers; that ethics should govern a leader.s behavior; and that knowledge is power.
"Leadership: Lessons for Homeschooled Teens" excels at describing different types of leadership and demonstrating the qualities good leaders have in common, information often lacking in today.s public school curriculum.
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