Develop Leadership Skills

REFLECT AND DREAM

Introduction

In this lesson, you will explore what makes someone a good leader. What skills and traits do they possess? You will conduct a self-analysis to identify the leadership traits you already have. Then, you will work with a group to formulate a plan to develop your leadership skills further.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LEADER?

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REFLECT AND DREAM

What do these quotes mean to you?

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Could kids somehow apply this idea to their own lives? Explain.

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"I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential."

"The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome."

"If you choose courage, you will absolutely know failure, disappointment, setback, even heartbreak. That’s why we call it courage. That’s why it’s so rare."

Brene Brown

What are the qualities of a good leader?

Think about qualities of a good leader and place them on the graphic organizer.

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Do you agree with Brene Brown about courage? If so, add courage to the graphic organizer along with your other ideas.

Analyze the information on the next five slides from Northeastern University that discuss the five qualities all effective leaders have.

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Compare these qualities to the list you just made. See how many of them you identified on your list.

Good leaders are self-aware and prioritize personal development.

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“Effective leaders focus on developing their emotional intelligence. Leaders that work to refine this quality are more adaptive, resilient, and accepting of feedback from others. They are also effective listeners and open to change.”

Teresa Goode, EdD, northeastern.edu

Good leaders will help others improve.

Effective leaders lead by example. They provide others with the skills, techniques, and knowledge needed to succeed. They encourage others not to get discouraged if things don’t go perfectly and offer constructive feedback to help them improve in the future.

Good leaders encourage strategic thinking, innovation, and action.

Effective leaders don’t just focus on the present; they look toward the future to prepare their organization for what’s ahead. They encourage others to develop innovative solutions and expect their teams to come up with multiple options so they can choose the best approach.

Good leaders are ethical and civic-minded.

Effective leaders encourage honesty and consider the ethical consequences of their decisions—both for their customers and their teams. They implement ideas and programs that not only benefit the company's financial future but also align with practices that are best for humanity and the Earth we share.

Good leaders practice effective cross-cultural communication

We live in an increasingly cross-cultural environment, making it important for leaders to understand the customs of different cultures to communicate effectively with everyone. They value each point of view and may make different decisions in various areas based on these cultural differences.

Northeastern University - Qualities of a Leader

Leaders are:

• Self-Aware
• Always trying to improve
• Always helping others improve
• Encouraging strategic thinking and actions
• Innovators, looking for new ways to do something
• Ethical
• Good communicators

Are these qualities similar or different to the ones you listed. How so?

Watch the video "Leadership Lesson from the Dancing Guy"

Does the first person dancing demonstrate courage? Explain.

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Which aspects of leadership does he demonstrate from your list?

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Which aspects of leadership does he demonstrate from Northeastern University's list?

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Leadership Lesson from the Dancing Guy

WHOSE LEADERSHIP SKILLS DO YOU ADMIRE?

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REFLECT AND DREAM

Did you agree on any traits? If so, which ones?

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Would you add any of the traits on their list to your list?

Identify them.

Find a partner and share your personal list.

What point is he trying to make? Support your answer.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President

of the United States

Which of their characteristics do you admire?

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Can you identify traits in this person you admire from the list you made or the other characteristics shared in this lesson?

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Provide examples of things they have done that support your claim.

Think of someone you admire as a leader. Discuss this person with your partner.

HOW CAN I DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS?

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REFLECT AND DREAM

You’ve probably heard the expression “born leader.” The phrase implies that the qualities that make a good leader are innate—you’re either born with the skills it takes to be a leader, or you’re not.

-Brian Eastwood, northeastern.edu

Do you agree, or disagree with the idea of a "born leader"? Why?

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Do you think leadership skills can be developed over time?

Do you think leadership skills can be developed?

Leadership, like any other skill, can be learned through study and practice. People can improve their leadership skills by setting personal goals that enhance their leadership techniques. The next slide will provide an example of how to do this.

• I will spend time with members of my team each day, being an active and supportive part of their workday.

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• I will practice giving positive and meaningful feedback, focusing on what they are doing well. If I need them to change something about their work, I will address it in a way that does not criticize what they have already accomplished.

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• I will delegate responsibility to see what the members of my team are capable of doing and to show them that they have my trust.

One leadership quality is that “Good leaders focus on developing others.” Here is a list of goals people can set to improve their leadership skills.

1. Form a group of three or four.

2. Choose two leadership traits to discuss.

3. Create at least three goals that would help you develop each leadership trait. Your goals can be similar to the examples provided on the previous slide.

4. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class.

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Setting Leadership Goals

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT BEING A LEADER?

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REFLECT AND DREAM