Leadership is important in society.
Leaders are needed, and found in all aspects of our daily life, from the workplace to the school ground; and from the social club to government. When leadership is good, there is an increased probability of things being achieved with greater efficiency, and a higher level of satisfaction amongst all concerned.
Good leadership is however not something a person is born with. Certain personal traits, such as Self confidence, may give some an advantage over others; but effective leadership requires more than simply a forceful personality that is capable of dominating everyone else.
A leader is not the same as a manager or supervisor! Managers & supervisors are able to cause things to happen because they have legal authority to enforce orders.
Leaders do not cause things to happen because of any legal authority. People follow leaders of their own free will; and leadership skills are those skills that allow a leader to effectively communicate with, and influence the actions of their followers
Leadership contributes to order, motivates productivity, and influences the way in which resources (human and material) are used. Leaders are people who are in a position of power, and who use that position to influence the environment in which they abide, and the others who share that environment.
Positive leadership enables things to happen. The leader in effect influences the environment in a way that encourages certain actions. Negative leadership disables things from happening.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are seven lessons:
- Introduction to Leadership (nature, scope, styles, differentiation from management, supervision, planning etc)
- Leadership Characteristics/Qualities
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Communication Skills
- Team Building
- Systematic and Lateral Thinking
- Applications (includes a Problem Based Learning Assignment)
AIMS
- Describe the nature and scope of Leadership.
- Determine the qualities which are required in a leader, in different leadership situations, including the workplace, recreation industries and developmental applications.
- Manage interpersonal relationships in support of effective leadership.
- Communicate leadership messages effectively to those you lead.
- Explain methods that may be used for effective team building by a leader.
- Select appropriate thought processes to follow in order to deal with different leadership problems.
- Lead teams through innovative and creative processes
