Basic Leadership A leadership training lesson from The Pennsylvania State University.

1. Basic LeadershipA leadership training lesson from The Pennsylvania State University. *This powerpoint should be used in conjunction with the Basic Leadership lesson plan found at http://leadership.cas.psu.edu/Training.html

2. Basic Leadership: Overview“Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing.” Warren Bennis, “On Becoming a Leader” • Introduction • Lesson Objectives • Lesson Content • Reflection Questions • Activity • References

3. Introduction • What is a leader? • What is leadership? • Each individual has a definition, but these definitions differ from person to person

4. Lesson Objectives • At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: • Develop your own definition of leadership • Discuss concepts that are necessary for the study of leadership • Analyze factors that affect someone’s ability to lead

5. The Definition of a Leader • The American Heritage Dictionary says a leader is • One that leads or guides • One who is in charge or in command of others • One who heads a political party or organization • One who has influence or power, especially of a political nature • The AHD also says that leadership is • The position or office of a leader • Capacity or ability to lead • A group of leaders • Guidance; direction

6. The Definition of a Leader • “Leadership is a complex process by which a person influences others to accomplish a mission, task, or objective, and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent.” • Don Clark, of Big Dog Leadership • “…a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” • Peter Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, 2nd Edition

7. The Definition of a Leader • Other definitions of leadership include: • The way a group processes issues, personalities, specific behaviors, power/relationships • A way to achieve goals • Remember: • Others may have different definitions of leadership • Your organization or group should agree on a definition of leadership

8. Skills of Leadership • Technical Skills - What you study • Methods, Processes, Procedures • Ability to use tools • Ability to operate equipment • Conceptual Skills - Your ability to Analyze Situations and Generate Ideas • Analyze a situation • Think logically • Combine concepts and ideas into a workable relationship

9. Skills of Leadership • Human Relations Skills - Your Understanding and Ability to Work with People • Interpersonal processes • Members’ Attitude • Members’ Motives • Communication Skills • Cooperation

10. Common Concepts of Leadership • Leadership Styles • Group Processes • Power • Goals/Visioning • Ethics/Character • Diversity • Motivation • Time Management • Conflict Resolution • Communications

11. How do some people become leaders? • There are 5 commonly accepted ideas: • They are the center of an activity • Their personality • Induction of compliance of the followers • Persuasion • Status

12. Factors affecting leaders“No man is an island” Don Clark, Big Dog Leadership, suggests that four factors affect leadership. These factors are: 1. Leaders • Leaders know their strengths • Leaders know their challenges • Leaders know who they are as an individual • Do you know yourself?

13. Factors affecting leaders“No man is an island” 2. Followers • Different people have different needs • Leaders to motivate them are one of those needs • Leaders need to know the people who follow them • Identify their needs • Provide them with the most effective leadership style

14. Factors affecting leaders“No man is an island” 3. Communication • Verbal and non-verbal communication is key • Leaders are always “on” - whether talking, in written communication, or in the non-verbal cues you give • You must set an example in everything you do

15. Factors affecting leaders“No man is an island” 4. Situation • EVERY situation is different • Each day will bring new challenges and new rewards • Each situation has its own resolution • Leaders must use their own judgment and gut instincts to determine what course of action to take

16. Knowledgeable Confident Respectable Role model Observant Capable of making mistakes and correcting them Problem solver Compassionate Works well with others Goal oriented Good communicator Personality oriented Influence people Motivating Accountable Effective Good listener What is a leader?

17. Managers Administer Eye the bottom line Imitate Do things right Efficient Leaders Innovate Eye the horizons Originate Do the right thing Effective Managers vs. Leaders

18. What is a leader capable of? • According to an Ohio study, leaders should be capable of 5 distinct tasks: 1. Focus on the present and the future simultaneously to create a vision 2. Build a bridge among and between interest groups 3. Understand events by scanning, monitoring, and interpreting events 4. Develop appraisal skills and use intuition to take calculated risks 5. Manage their symbols to formulate an image, understand symbols, and plan a strategy

19. Learning to Lead • The steps for current and future leaders: • Study good leaders • Study yourself • Become a good follower • Learn about different groups • Actively plan your training

20. Reflection Questions • There are lots of different ways to define leadership. • What definition provided in this lesson did you feel best described the concept of leadership? • Think about how you think of leadership. • How would you define leadership and what it means to be a leader?

21. Reflection Questions • Many skills were mentioned that leaders need. • What skills do you feel leaders need the most? • Make a list of five skills and put them in order from “most” to “least” important. • Why did you select the skills you selected? • Why did you put them in the order you put them in?

22. Reflection Questions • Give some examples of the factors that affect leaders. • What can you do to help yourself and others mitigate some of these circumstances? • Why do we talk about the differences of managers versus leaders? • Why is the difference important?

23. Reflection Questions • Why is study an important part of leadership? • Why do we study good leaders? • Why should we study ourselves? • Why do we study groups? • How can this information help us to become more effective leaders?

24. L E A D E R M A N A G E R Activity: Leader/Manager

25. Activity Reflection • Why did you select the words you selected? • Could you have picked different words? • How did your words differ from some of the other people/groups? • How does this reflect our own different perceptions and ideas of leaderships?

26. References • Clark, D. (1997). Big dog leadership. Retrieved on October 5, 2003, from www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leader.html • Northouse, P. (2001). Leadership theory and practice, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. • The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed. (2000). Pickett, J.P., et. Al. (ed). Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin.