DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY -
LESSON 1:

LEADERSHIP THROUGH INFLUENCE

DEBRIEF: DEMONSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A LEADER SOMETIMES, AND BEING A SUPPORTIVE FOLLOWER AT OTHER TIMES. DISCUSS THE NEED FOR BOTH IN LIFE, SPORTS, WORK, ETC. HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN THE LEADER WANTED YOU TO DO SOMETHING REALLY SILLY? WERE YOU…

DEBRIEF: DEMONSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A LEADER SOMETIMES, AND BEING A SUPPORTIVE FOLLOWER AT OTHER TIMES. DISCUSS THE NEED FOR BOTH IN LIFE, SPORTS, WORK, ETC. HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN THE LEADER WANTED YOU TO DO SOMETHING REALLY SILLY? WERE YOU LESS LIKELY TO COPY? WHAT ABOUT IF IT WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND LEADING?

PART 1- INTRODUCTION

 

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should:

  • understand the link between leadership and influence

  • reflect on effective leadership

  • participate, collaborate and contribute to a group activity and discussion

PART 2- LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE- (15 MINUTES)

DISCUSSION: Leadership is about influence, not positional power. Influence takes courage to affect the behaviours, actions, thoughts and ideas of others.

Teachers to facilitate a discussion- What aspects were mentioned in the video that you feel are important as a leader?

PART 3- (25 MINUTES)

THE TALLEST TOWER

Big picture: Students form groups of 4-8. The participants work to build the tallest free-standing tower they can with the supplies given.

Materials required: one old newspaper and a roll of sticky tape per group.

Time: 12-14 minutes.

Possible debrief questions: 

  • Raise your hand if you helped build a tower! What worked well?

  • What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

  • Were there any formal leaders selected by the teachers in this activity? Were there relationships of influence in action?

  • Did you build the tallest tower you could? Why or why not?

Now reflect on the following questions in your Leadership Workbook.

  • How does building the tower in this activity compare to your daily work in the classroom? Or the way our group (year level, school) is organized?

  • How does this activity relate to being part of our school community?

  • How can we encourage collaboration, communication, and sharing among the whole group?

  • Did you witness any positive peer influence in your group (through encouragement, service, persistence, etc).

  • What is the relationship between leadership and influence?