What are the qualities of great leaders?
What: Today we will consider the skills and qualities of great leaders. We will consider which skills and qualities are more important than others and consider how such behaviors lead to success.
Why: Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. They lead in different ways, across a wide range of roles, issues and places. Trying to understand why some people are more successful leaders than others is important so that we can learn those skills and develop those qualities so that we can make a difference in the world.
How: We will consider and evaluate a range of skills ad qualities to see what we believe makes a good leader. We will then try to observe what leadership looks like as a behavior in practice.
Why: Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. They lead in different ways, across a wide range of roles, issues and places. Trying to understand why some people are more successful leaders than others is important so that we can learn those skills and develop those qualities so that we can make a difference in the world.
How: We will consider and evaluate a range of skills ad qualities to see what we believe makes a good leader. We will then try to observe what leadership looks like as a behavior in practice.
Task 1: Build your own Leader
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Your task is to build your own Great Leader. Your leader can have 5 qualities and 5 skills that will make them effective in their role.
Read through the two lists below and select 5 qualities and 5 skills.
Create a chart in your Leadership notebook to record your choices.
Find a partner and compare your lists. What did you have the same and what were the differences?
Explain why your chose the qualities and skills that you did. Why would these skills and qualities make someone a great leader.
Share your ideas with the class.
Read through the two lists below and select 5 qualities and 5 skills.
Create a chart in your Leadership notebook to record your choices.
Find a partner and compare your lists. What did you have the same and what were the differences?
Explain why your chose the qualities and skills that you did. Why would these skills and qualities make someone a great leader.
Share your ideas with the class.
Task 2: What qualities and skills do you see in everyday Leaders?
PBS: Principal's Story
Your task is to watch 3 short clips of a documentary telling the story of two successful Principals in Illinois. They both display Leadership Qualities. Your job is to watch carefully and decide if you can identify any skills or qualities that each principal displays.
You should record your ides on the handout below.
You should record your ides on the handout below.
| pov-principalstory-student_handout.docx |
MEET THE PRINCIPALS
Tresa Dunbar is shown in her second year as principal at Henry H. Nash Elementary School, which prior to Dunbar had six principals over a five-year period and typically ranked at the bottom in statewide testing. Previously Dunbar served as an assistant principal, a teacher, a social studies department chair and an evaluation specialist, and she has extensive experience designing and facilitating professional development experiences for teachers. She has a Ph.D. in curriculum development with endorsements in language arts, reading and social studies.
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Kerry Purcell is shown in her sixth year at Harvard Park Elementary School. Earlier in her career, she taught kindergarten for 12 years and served in various leadership capacities at the school, district and state level. Purcell has a master’s degree in educational administration. During her tenure as principal, test scores increased by approximately 45 percent in reading and 50 percent in math. Purcell currently works for Focus on Results, where she provides professional development and coaching support to help educational leaders use data to make sound instructional, fiscal and human resource decisions.
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Think: From what your have read - What makes a strong leader?
Watch the following clips and make notes on the skills and qualities that you see on display. Make notes on your hand out.
Task: Answer the following questions in your Leadership Notebook
Discuss observations and the supporting evidence noted on your handouts.
- How do the leadership skills of the principals measure up against your list of leadership qualities and skills?
- What strong qualities and skills do the principals possess and where might there be room for improvement?
- Should school principals have different leadership qualities and skills than other types of leaders? Why or why not?
Final Thoughts: Discussion - consider the following statements
- Someone has to be born a leader
- Everyone is a capable leader
- You can learn qualities that will make you a more effective leader
- Leadership is not a bunch of traits inside an individual
- If someone has all the listed qualities of a great leader, that doesn’t make them a leader
- A true leader, leads from the behind
- Leadership is the traits people have – the traits they were born with
Extension Task: Who do you admire?
Create a written leadership analysis of either a famous person or someone in your everyday life.
You should name specific leadership qualities and skills of the individuals you have chosen and provide concrete examples of when and where they demonstrated these skills.
You should name specific leadership qualities and skills of the individuals you have chosen and provide concrete examples of when and where they demonstrated these skills.