Listening is an important part of learning about one's self and about others. "It requires you to be aware of body language, facial expressions, mood, and natural behavioral tendencies" (Llopis, 2013). As someone who is open to learning new things, listening will open up avenues for new concepts to be learned. 

"Want to become a better leader? Stop talking and start listening. Being a leader should not be viewed as a license to increase the volume of rhetoric. Rather astute leaders know there is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than by dominating it" (Myatt, 2012).

Do you dominate conversations or do you display active listening? Has your communication style been helpful to you in building relationships or has your communication style been a barrier of relationship development?

References
Liopis, G. (2013, May 20). 6 ways effective listening can make you a better leader. Forbes. Retrieved: http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/05/20/6-effective-ways-listening-can-make-you-a-better-leader/

Myatt, M. (2012, February 9). Why most leaders need to shut up and listen. Forbes. Retrieved: http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/02/09/why-most-leaders-need-to-shut-up-listen/

Leadership is a life long process (Northouse, 2013) and it does not have to wait to be activated in adulthood. It is a process that is integrated in one's life (King, Altman, & Lee, 2011). Giving youth responsibility to be ethical and authentic are ways to motivate youth to become people who are not only dedicated to their communities, but people who make better decisions (Clawson, 2003). They may be able to earlier to be exposed to idea of leading others and how it feels to be respond to conflict (King et al., 2011).

What opportunities do you think adults can give youth to become leaders at earlier ages?