What is a good way to teach collaboration when one child always wants to lead? 

Parenting Perspective 

Acknowledge Their Strength, Guide Their Approach 

Some children are natural leaders, but true collaboration is blocked if one child always insists on taking charge. The first step is to acknowledge their leadership skills positively: ‘It is wonderful that you enjoy leading; that is a great strength to have.’ You can then gently guide them to understand that a good leader also knows how to listen and make space for others, explaining that teamwork is most effective when everyone feels valued. 

Rotate Roles and Practise Shared Leadership 

Create activities where you can intentionally rotate the leadership role—for example, one child leads a game today, and their sibling leads tomorrow. You can also assign co-leadership roles in a joint task. It is vital to praise the dominant child when you see them stepping back to allow their sibling’s idea to flourish: ‘It was so fair and kind of you to let your brother take the lead on that part.’ This teaches that leadership is about harmony, not just control. 

Strength in Both Guiding and Supporting 

These experiences help your child see that real strength lies in both guiding and supporting others, making collaboration feel natural rather than forced. This strengthens their relationships and builds true leadership skills. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Principle of Consultation (Shura) 

Islam champions the principle of consultation (shura), where believers make decisions together rather than having one person dominate. The Quran praises those whose affairs are determined by mutual discussion, making this a core part of an Islamic character. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Shuraa (42), Verse 38: 

‘ And those people that respond to (the commandments of) their Sustainer, and establish prayer, and conduct their affairs between each other through consultation, and spend (generously) from the sustenance We have provided them.‘ 

True Leadership is Service 

The prophetic tradition powerfully redefines leadership. It is not about being in charge or having power over others, but about serving them and uplifting them. This is a crucial lesson for a child who always wants to be the leader. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, 7205, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The leader of a people is their servant.’ 

Gaining Respect, Not Losing Power 

When you connect the idea of collaboration with the Islamic values of consultation (shura) and servant-leadership, your child learns a profound lesson. They begin to see that allowing others to lead is not a loss of power, but is in fact a way of gaining respect. This nurtures humility and teamwork, strengthening sibling bonds that are rooted in fairness and faith.