Do you ever make a trip back home, then find yourself reminiscing on the lessons you learned as a kid? I was lucky enough to have both parents working together on the ranch where my brothers and I could jump off the bus every afternoon and go to work with them. For me, looking back finds many lessons of leadership and principles to being a good person.

It’s easy to be a grumpy old person complaining. So often, I encounter someone complaining about Millennials as if we’re the plague. “Kids these days! They can’t even [insert standard of days gone by]!” It’s hard not to speak up and remind them we’re not the first (nor the last) generation to have our parents complain about our work ethic and new ways of doing things.

Leadership principles that good kids learn

I found this list of principles (30 Principles That Turn Good Kids into Good Adults) and so many of them resonated with things I learned as a kid. These lessons aren’t specific to being raised on a farm or ranch, and I am sure they’ll apply across the board. And a good reminder once in a while is beneficial.

After all, that darn Generation Z could really learn a few of these…

Image via John M Simmons
  1. When you are wrong, apologize.
  2. You don’t need to be wrong to truthfully say you’re sorry.
  3. Look for reasons to be happy. Then be happy.
  4. Be thankful for what you have. There is always someone who has less.
  5. Share what you have with those less fortunate.
  6. Do some good things no one knows about.
  7. You don’t need to be appreciated to help others.
  8. Take care of your responsibilities so someone else doesn’t need to.
  9. Set aside time to work on a loved one’s priority lists.
  10. Spend your time with those who make you better.
  11. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but only after you have done all you can do on your own.
  12. Seek sound advice. Then follow it.
  13. If you did everything you should have, you’ll be tired by bedtime.
  14. Study when it is time to learn.
  15. Exert yourself when it is time to work.
  16. People need to learn to work as children so they will know how to do it as adults.
  17. Accept help and give credit.
  18. Spend a limited amount of time fighting things you disagree with.
  19. Give the same respect that you demand from others.
  20. Bigotry breeds bigotry. (What you send around comes around.)
  21. Respect others’ positions, whether or not you agree.
  22. Spend most of your time building things you love, rather than tearing down things you hate.
  23. If you don’t have anything good to say, find something good to say.
  24. Try to give more than you take in any relationship.
  25. Your family should be better because you are in it.
  26. Your community should shine because that is where you live.
  27. Your state should be improved by your presence.
  28. Your country should be strengthened because of your dedication.
  29. The world should be a little bit worse without you when it’s time for you to go.
  30. No matter how good an excuse is, it doesn’t change what it is.

Which of these leadership principles strike a chord with you? Anything else you’d add to a list of good lessons to be a better person or stronger leader?

These principles definitely remind me of Cowboy Ethics and the Code of the West. Read the full list in the original article on Huffington Post.

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Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.