I recently visited several primary schools to have conversations with teachers and students.
This experience allowed me to reflect on student leadership development in schools. As someone passionate about research, I realise the importance of paying more attention to the value of observation and reflection.
I gained five insights into student leadership development during this trip.
1. PRESENTATION skills are critical.
A student’s ability to speak in front of others helps them stand apart as leaders.
A good speech generally helps them win elections. Put another way, a poor speech will undo any chance they have. I’ve always known that student leaders, especially school captains, present themselves well.
Interestingly, most school captains have strong, confident body language, a valuable presentation skill.
If you do nothing else in preparing students for leadership, teach them how to design and deliver an impactful speech. It’s critical.
2. OPTIMISM is a viral leadership trait.
You read that right. Optimism is contagious. Students are naturally attracted to peers who have a positive outlook. Optimism has been less emphasized in schools for most of this century.
It was popular in the 1990s following Martin Seligman’s influential work on explanatory style a decade earlier. It should make a comeback. It’s a fantastic trait.
Want to know who your next school captains will be? Look at the optimists in your senior school and you’ll find them in that group.
3. Your best leaders are in the SHADOWS.
There’s a group of students in every school that exerts great influence over others, yet they don’t see themselves as leaders. They are often introverts, have high emotional regulation, are decisive in small groups, can move adeptly between different social groups, and are likely to be girls.
A systematic leadership program is the best way to harness this group and direct them toward a leadership position.
That way, you’re not wasting their leadership talents or ignoring their potential.
4. Leaders know how to READ A ROOM.
It’s amazing how some adults say the stupidest things in social situations because they cannot read a room’s mood. Kids are no different.
They can thoughtlessly say embarrassing or cutting things because their emotional smarts is lacking. Great leaders (adult or student) know how to read the moods of others and can respond accordingly.
What a gift!
That’s why emotional intelligence ranks higher than IQ in most workplaces. It’s also why any leadership program must include emotional intelligence.
5. Leadership and ANXIETY go hand in hand.
Behind every student leader is a child filled with self-doubt. This is a combination of imposter syndrome and lack of preparation. Lack of preparation can be addressed with preliminary leadership and orientation programs.
Imposter syndrome is an ongoing issue and is best addressed with a support program following their election or selection. It requires only a few hours of a teacher’s time, but it’s well worth the effort.
Finally…
Let’s look at those insights once more:
- Speaking is the most critical skill.
- Optimism is the most critical leadership trait.
- Your best leaders are in the shadows.
- Leaders know how to read a room.
- Anxiety and leadership go hand in hand.
Students in their senior years shouldn’t be forced into leadership roles. The most successful schools take a structured approach to developing leadership rather than leaving it up to chance or relying solely on an exceptional group of students.
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