The Seven Mistakes to Avoid when Organising Your Student Leadership Program

How do you measure the success of a training or teaching program? There are many measures you can use including; focusing on learning outcomes, behavioural change, student engagement and even efficiency of delivery.

An effective leadership program can achieve all of the above and more. As you plan your training program for 2005 following are some mistakes that I have seen some schools make when conducting their leadership training program.

Seven common mistakes that some schools make that YOU can AVOID:

1. They don't provide a leadership model for leaders to refer to.

Presenting a leadership model for students and staff to refer to has many benefits. It allows teachers to grow the program consistently rather than put together an ad hoc list of activities. It provides assistance to analytical learners who love a model to guide them and helps ensure program consistency over a number of years.

2. They don't give leaders job descriptions for different roles.

The second most common complaint that student leaders make is that they don't know what to do. So if you don't have job descriptions yet it maybe time to get them on paper. For an easy guide go to the downloads page on www.younleadersprogram.com.au and download the Leadership Role Sheet. (Be patient if it is the first time the computer you access it from has been to that site. A blue screen will come up first before a colourful graphic picture. It will quick next time you use it.)

By the way, the most common complaint that student leaders make is that they don't have any real leadership tasks to do!

3. They don't form a leadership team

Being a student leader is not all fun and games. Some students feel isolated and some don't take the chance to learn from their peers. Help them feel supported and provide a process for group learning by establishing a leadership team in its own right.

4. They don't provide ongoing support

Make sure you meet a regular basis throughout the year to discuss problems, organise events and help them develop their roles.

5. They fail to focus on developing communication skills

Leadership is a test of communication skills. How students communicate with students and staff on a one-to one basis and how they deliver a message to a group will impact on their effectiveness. A focus on good personal and public communication needs to be central to your program.

6. They neglect to develop a Code a Conduct for student leaders

How are your student leaders expected to behave? How does a student know if his behaviour is out of step with the school's expectations? Schools generally have a Code of Conduct for general school behaviour but it is useful to have a Code of Conduct for student leaders that reflects both acceptable school behaviour and also the school's values. Student leaders are ambassadors for a school's values.

Go to http://www.parentingideas.com.au/nylp/downloads.htm for a sample Code of Conduct that I use.

7. They forget to start a leadership diary or journal

To assist with ongoing personal development students should begin a journal or a diary that serves as a record of their activities and also provides an opportunity to reflect on their progress.

Michael Grose is the creator of The Young Leaders Program, which is used in Australian and Asian schools to train student leaders. To find out more about this program or how Michael can help your staff promotye student leadership skills visit http://www.youngleadersporgram.com.au

Latest News


Times Online

Gary Berntsen Thinks CIA Needs 'Leadership Not Management'
FOXNews - Jan 7, 2009
Also, the author of a new book — boy, is this timely — "Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, and National Leadership: A Practical Guide," Gary Berntsen ...
Video: Analyst Weighs in on Obama's CIA Pick AssociatedPress
Feinstein/Panetta: Senatorial Prerogative, "Intelligence ... Huffington Post
What Makes Someone Qualified to Serve? GovExec.com
Washington Post - San Jose Mercury News
all 2,546 news articles

CNET News

Ford touts its leadership in in-car connectivity
CNET News, CA - 2 hours ago
During his keynote address at CES Thursday, Ford CEO Alan Mulally--along with several other Ford executives--emphasized that the car giant is interested in ...
Ford Announces Plans for Continued In-Car Connectivity Leadership ... PR Newswire (press release)
Ford Sync Upgrade Brings Turn-By-Turn Navigation, Coming To Every ... Gizmodo
Ford to globalize its SYNC technologies and services - Update RTT News
all 247 news articles

Sportsnet.ca

Nuggets welcome Chauncey Billups' leadership
MLive.com, MI - 3 hours ago
But maybe most significant, he provides the kind of leadership that has catapulted the Nuggets to the top of the Northwest division standings. ...
Not just another game for Billups DetNews.com
Billups brings new attitude to Nuggets Rocky Mountain News
all 57 news articles

ABC News

Whatever sympathy the Hamas leadership might have deserved has ...
guardian.co.uk, UK - 17 hours ago
Whatever sympathy the Hamas leadership might have deserved has evaporated in this massive moral own goal. If this was not bad enough in itself, ...
Video: Israel responds to rockets fired from Lebanon - 08 Jan 09 AlJazeeraEnglish
LEADERSHIP: Digital Maps And The War In Gaza Strategy Page
Is this leadership? Canada Free Press
The Weekly Standard - The Media Line
all 39,886 news articles

Boston Globe

Jason Giambi must add leadership to his job description with Athletics
Boston Herald, United States - 22 hours ago
After years of questioning the intangible value of clubhouse leadership, generally defining it as nothing more than a productive player, Billy sees the ...
Giambi, A's ready to give it another go San Francisco Chronicle
all 773 news articles

Conference urges leadership
News-Journal.com, TX - 2 hours ago
Yordanos Refu speaks to students Thursday during the Longview International Baccalaureate Schools Youth Leadership Conference at LeTourneau University in ...
LeTourneau hosts youth leadership conference KLTV
all 2 news articles

Azle News

State Rep optimistic about change in House leadership
Azle News, TX - 17 hours ago
However it came about, the change in leadership style is something Geren is looking forward to. Straus, he noted, possesses an impressive business resume ...
Relative newcomer rises to House leadership Waxahachie Daily Light
Straus has earned the House's vote of confidence San Antonio Express
House roles may shift for South Plains legislators LubbockOnline.com
Houston Chronicle - Dallas Morning News
all 763 news articles

Missouri's senior starters figuring out leadership role
Columbia Missourian, MO - 4 hours ago
One obvious problem for the Tigers was a lack of leadership. Once Illinois sprinted ahead of Missouri, there was no one to bring the team together or help ...

World Financial Group Names Edward Mylett to Help Direct Field ...
MSNBC - Jan 7, 2009
resident and WFG Executive Vice Chairman Edward Mylett has accepted the newly created position of Director of Field Leadership. ...

Fiat Maintains Vehicle Sales Leadership In 2008 In Brazil
CNNMoney.com - 18 hours ago
SAO PAULO -(Dow Jones)- Italian automaker Fiat SpA (FIAZY) maintained its leadership position as Brazil's top seller in 2008, according to figures released ...

Resources


    Sorry Currently Unavailable