BEING A TEAM LEADER

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In this session, participants will learn and apply the skills and characteristics of effective team leaders.

Category

  • Character
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Team Building

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

 

  • Develop a mission statement to guide the post.
  • Determine qualities of a good leader.

Supplies

  • Developing a Mission Statement activity sheet—make a copy for each participant
  • Reflections on Leadership activity sheet—make a copy for each participant
  • Whiteboard or easel pad and marker
  • Pen or pencil for each participant

Advisor Note

Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.

Activity 1

Mission Statement

Give each Explorer a Developing a Mission Statement activity sheet. Explain to the Explorers that they are going to discuss the importance of a mission statement and create one for the post.

 

Say: Schools, school districts, businesses, Explorer posts, and other community-based organizations all have mission statements. (Provide examples if possible.) The mission statement should be stated in writing, be clearly understood, and be used to guide the organization’s actions.

 

On the whiteboard or easel pad, write “What function does the Explorer post perform?” Ask the participants to brainstorm statements that describe the function of the post. Write down their answers.

 

Then write “For whom does the Explorer post provide the function?” Ask the participants whom the post serves. Write down their answers.

 

Finally, write “What does the Explorer post need to fulfill this function?” Ask the participants to develop statements that define what the team needs in order to function. Write down their answers.

 

Have Explorers look at the lists and then, in a comprehensive statement of one to three sentences, develop a mission statement for the post. It should be easy to understand and to remember. Post it in the meeting room as a guide for the Explorers.

Activity 2

Give each Explorer a Reflections on Leadership activity sheet. Explain to participants that every team needs a leader. Ask Explorers to review the activity sheet and to write their responses so they can determine their personal level of interest in being a leader and who they think has the best qualifications for being the leader of a team. Discuss participants’ answers when they are finished.

Advisor Note

Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to your post or specific focus area.

Reflection

Focusing Questions

  • What tasks were you asked to accomplish today?

Analysis Questions

  • How can a mission statement help a team become more effective?
  • How can a mission statement assist the leader of a team?
  • How might you use this in your potential career?

Generalization Questions

  • What are some important qualities for leaders to have?
  • How can developing a mission statement help other teams—besides your Explorer post—achieve success?
  • How might you use this in life or in college?
  • Why is this important?

 

 

RESOURCES

 

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