'Parents scolding and shouting at us made most Ghanaians timid’ – Perez Musik

• Perez Musik says frequent shouting and scolding made many Ghanaians timid and hesitant to speak up.

• He believes children who are allowed to express themselves tend to become more confident.

• He urges leaders to understand individual differences, manage emotions and allow people room to make mistakes.

Ghanaian musician Perez Musik has reflected on how parenting styles influenced confidence and self-expression, arguing that growing up in homes where children were frequently shouted at or silenced may have made many Ghanaians more timid.

Speaking during the Afternoon show on TV3, the musician said children who were often scolded or discouraged from expressing themselves in public grew up into adults who hesitate before speaking or sharing their opinions.

He suggested that the way some parents corrected their children may have contributed to a generation that became more cautious about expressing themselves.

“Because of the way your mother will shout at you, your father will shout at you, when you are in public and you have to express yourself… you are a bit laid back, you are calculating. Should I say it? Should I not say it?” he said.

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He observed that those who grew up in homes where they were allowed to express themselves freely often appeared more confident.

“You realise that kids that came out from homes where they are allowed to express themselves are a bit more confident,” he said.

Perez Musik, however, acknowledged that both parenting styles have their own  advantages and disadvantages.

“With everything, I think that there is a positive aspect of it, and there is a downside to it as well,” he explained.

Beyond parenting, the musician also spoke about the importance of understanding individual differences when dealing with people, particularly in leadership.

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He said leaders should recognise that people respond differently to correction and should avoid treating everyone in exactly the same way.

“I always say that we just need to understand that people are different,” he said.

He also encouraged leaders to leave room for people to make mistakes, noting that how a leader responds to mistakes can determine whether someone grows or becomes discouraged.

Perez Musik reflected on his own experiences as a leader, admitting that he had sometimes been too harsh in trying to get people to perform.

He said there were instances where people left or became discouraged because of the way he communicated his expectations.

“I have also been the type of leader where I have lost out of people when I didn't have to, and I've discouraged them,” he said.

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According to the musician, effective leadership requires emotional intelligence and an understanding of individual personalities.

He said the approach that works with one person may not necessarily work with another.

“You need to manage emotions, and you can't deal with people in the same way,” he said.

He also cautioned against publicly scolding people, suggesting that some issues are better handled privately and with sensitivity.

For Perez Musik, whether in parenting or leadership, understanding people and giving them room to make mistakes can help create environments where individuals feel confident enough to express themselves, learn and grow.