BEGINNING WITH NEW LEADERS

STRESSING ABILITY + ATTITUDE + APTITUDE

Winning an election or being appointed to a position, or joining a class isn't all there is to being a leader. In fact, the real work to develop attitudes, abilities, and aptitudes begins in the first months following the call to leadership.

Potential student leaders must have the right attitude and the aptitude to start on the path to leadership. The following list is intended to start you, the teacher, on the path of promoting leadership skills in your potential leaders.

1. Require students to use a day planner. Student leaders are busy people. You will do them a big favour getting them in the habit of using a planner that includes a list of important phone numbers, schedules, dates, and obligations.

2. Give them books to read about leadership. Biographies of leaders are a good place to start. Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts is both light in approach and number of pages, but heavy on useful traits to acquire.

3. Encourage the "go-around'' technique in meetings. Many students, even those who think they are democratic leaders, rarely check to see if every member of the group has expressed an opinion. Encourage them to go around the group in order and ask the opinion of each participant.

4. Teach leaders the power of hand on the shoulder advertising. An event cannot be organized on posters alone. Show your leaders that in-person invitations are a great way to supplement the written announcement.

5. Identify failure as a step toward success rather than a step backwards. Often, we don't allow events to fail because we think it is a negative reflection upon the advisor. Allow failure, but then help students learn from their mistakes.

6. Ask students to identify a leadership role model. This does not have to be a famous person. A grandparent, a friend, or a community member--someone who isn't larger than life--could make a great role model.

7. Request that clean-ups after events be organized. If you don't insist on this point, leaders soon learn that everyone shows up for the meal, but they disappear when it's time to do the dishes. Help your leaders gain an appreciation for running an entire event and ask that everyone take turns with this task.

8. Teach them how to write a Thank You note. Help your leaders discover the power of being nice to people who support them.

9. Teach them how to make a simple speech. This will show them how to organize their thoughts and think on their feet. There are many opportunities to practice this skill. Make sure that everyone gets a chance more than once.

10. Stress the importance of the combination of a good handshake and a smile. This is the one of the first ways to make a good impression. It is a truly useful and portable skill now and later in life.

We all know that leaders require the right attitude and abilities for their position, but advisors must not neglect the aptitude of their leaders--their readiness for leadership. If your students can demonstrate the abilities listed here, they will be ready for the leadership challenges ahead of them.

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