leadership in life

AIM

To explore what kind of leaders students want to be and how they will use their soft skills in the future.

OUTCOMES

Reflective about personal purpose and values
Understanding different ideas about leadership
Recognizing own strengths and areas for development
Desire to be engaged and active on issues and in communities

TIME

30 minutes

RESOURCES

Flipchart paper and colored pens

LIFE SKILLS

Self-Reflection
Leadership
Creativity
Purpose

ACTIVITY

1. Divide the class into groups of 5 or 6 people

2. Introduce the activity by explaining that good leaders are believed to have particular attributes in respect of their Head, Heart, and Hands – in other words, their Knowledge, Values, and Skills.

3. Each group is to draw an outline of a LEADER. Working together, participants quickly brainstorm attributes and life skills needed for a GOOD LEADER. They will be drawing and writing these on their flipchart as follows:

Head: knowledge and thinking skills needed to lead well
Heart: values, principles, and beliefs
Hands: practical skills

4. Once all groups are finished, invite participants to walk around the room to look at the other groups’ drawings. Open up a discussion with the group asking some of the following questions:

Were most of the drawings similar? Why/Why not?
Was it hard to think of the different attributes? Which was hardest, Head, Hands, or Heart? Why?
Are there any particular soft skills that seem essential – that maybe feature on all of the drawings? Why do people feel these are the most important?
What do you think it means to be a leader in everyday life?
Why are values and principles important in leadership?