In "If," by Rudyard Kipling, what are the qualities the poet wishes to see in his son?

In the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling, the poet would like his son to have the ability to stay calm in a crisis. Having a clear head in a chaotic situation is very useful as it is the only way to effectively help and move things forward. However, no-one really knows how they would respond in a crisis until they are tested by circumstances. A person may be surrounded by others who are hysterical, driven wild through fear and panic, blindly striking out ineffectively. Kipling hopes his son will grow to be the sort of man who can distance himself slightly, be objective about the danger to himself personally and see clearly the swiftest, most useful way to help. Such a person who manages to help others in spite of their disorder is a true man.