This is a set of questions from a survey put across to school leaders and school students across age groups. The respondents were from both genders. The youngest was 9 years and the oldest was 17 years of age .
2. High Five
• What is Leadership ?
• What are the important characteristics needed to be a Leader?
• How do you know that you are a Leader ?
• What are the negative aspects of being a Leader ?
• What is your attitude towards being a Leader ?
3. 1
• What is Leadership ?
Our Survey found that although some elementary age students referred to
leadership as power , authority , and control, the majority of students
defined leadership in positive terms.
The responses reflect a wide range of characteristics and behaviors of
leadership. In general the older students identified leadership as a
multidimensional concept
4. Leadership is being a part of a team , not just the leader of a group. You are not a
leader if no one is following.
Male , 16
A Leader is a person who helps others, learns different skills, and develops the
character to live a life of excellence
Female , 13
Leadership is when you motivate others by example , word of mouth, and
influence. It also includes bringing out the full potential in someone.
Male , 14
Leadership is influencing or helping others to accomplish a mission or a goal.
Female , 9
5. 2
• What are the important characteristics needed to be a Leader?
Our Survey showed that students identify a wide variety of
characteristics of a leader: However several characteristics emerged a
being frequent.
Those characteristics were
- Communication – Responsibility – Self-Confidence- Intelligence-
decision making skills-
Others that were important but not cited as frequently were
-Perception - Control of emotions - A strong sense of morality – And
the ability to take a risk to be honest despite Peer pressure
6. 3
• What are the negative aspects of being a Leader ?
Our Survey revealed that the majority of responses have to do with
the way other people may respond someone in a leadership position.
Specific reactions from others that the students identified as negative
were
Hate-Jealousy- Loss of Faith- Criticism- Blame- Rejection
Stress – Pressure- the lack of privacy- possibility of making a
mistake-amount of time required for leadership position
7. 4
• How do you know that you are a Leader ?
Our survey found that all of the students responding to this question
do believe that they are leaders.
- Some students stated that they know that they are leaders because
of the way others treat them with respect as role models.
- Other Students cited personal qualities as indicators of their ability
to lead such as comfort in leadership positions- being a trendsetter-
persuasiveness-the ability to withstand peer pressure- and the
ability to take charge.
8. 5
• What is your attitude towards being a Leader ?
Our survey found that students regarded leadership
with pride, honor and seriousness. They also stated
that being a leader is fun, challenging and rewarding.
Some students felt that Leadership should be a shared
responsibility because to much leadership from one
person can result in a negative situation.
9. L.E.A.D.E.R
• Learner - Former President A.P.J Kalam
• Enthusiastic - Steve Jobs
• Articulate - Barack Obama
• Daring - Kiran Bedi
• Empathising - Mother Theresa
• Role Model - All of them
Who are the Leaders you Follow ?