Five ways to promote leadership skills in students
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about a “Leader”? Does your mind immediately think about great political leaders like Churchill, JFK, or Gandhi?
Leadership is not just limited to politics or people who bring about social and political change.
On the most basic level, the word leadership means the ability to create a following by having the capacity to lead, connecting with the people in such a way as to speak to their hearts and minds directly, enabling them to gravitate towards you naturally.
A true leader can be a common everyday man you meet on the street. It could be a doctor daring enough to rise to the challenge of a teacher encouraging her students to believe in themselves by teaching them self-management and how to build effective and trustworthy relationships with their peers.
Generally, some people are naturally born to lead; while it is valid, it does not necessarily mean that these skills can’t be developed in anyone.
If someone can work hard towards achieving their goal and have the ways to motivate people, they too can become a good and effective leader.
This is where a teacher comes in as a natural leader and role model for students.
The goal of a teacher isn’t mainly to impart knowledge to their students but also to prepare them for the real world by equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in life further.
New research shows that by just flipping the conventional classroom paradigm around, better outcomes can be provided in developing intellect and self-confidence (amongst other things) in students.
Below we’ve discussed ways teachers can use the flipped classroom technique to develop essential leadership skills in their students.
This method will equip them with success tools not only for life in the classroom but also beyond.
- Show the willingness to learn:
As pointed out above, teachers are role models for students. A good leader must always be willing and eager to move ahead with their learning.
This is true especially for teachers and students both. A good and knowledgeable teacher is an empowered teacher.
If you’re an aspiring teacher keen on instilling meaningful knowledge into your students, you should consider advanced education.
Given your busy schedule, registering for an Educational Leadership Online MSEd Program would be excellent.
- Giving them the power for decision making:
Students learn better when they are given the choice of how they want to know. It could be a hands-on activity, a presentation, or even a topic they like.
They have control over choosing what interests them using techniques that they enjoy, thereby boosting their productivity and at the same time learning.
Another essential skill learned here is how their decisions can affect their peers. Something critical that a leader must understand.
- Learn to be a team player:
One of the foremost skills students can learn for effective leadership is understanding that a leader is only as good as his followers.
Teamwork makes the dream work. School sports can be effective in teaching this.
You either win as a team or lose as a team. Communication is the key to making your ideas and requirements clearer to your team.
- No space for your ego:
Continuing from the last point, you either win as a team or lose. A good leader needs to understand that failure shouldn’t be taken as a single person’s fault and maintain a positive attitude.
The blame game should be avoided as a good leader must be willing to put aside their ego and identify the fault, striving to strengthen the weak link.
Team-based learning activities and competitions can help a student learn this.
- Be a hard worker:
“Leaders are not born; they are made with hard work and passion” A teacher may have the ability to identify a natural leader in the classroom early on.
These leaders are extroverts who volunteer for every job themselves and put themselves at the front of everything.
But that doesn’t mean someone who doesn’t show natural talent can’t be a leader. Talent can only take you as far; hard work makes the difference.
Conclusion
Learning leadership qualities always impacts the students’ personalities because this is how they know how to build relationships with their peers effectively.
They also learn how to cooperate and communicate effectively as a team to achieve their communal tasks.
They develop their self-esteem and confidence in their independent skills.
Studies have shown that effective education leadership makes a significant impact not only on student learning in the classroom but also in later life.