Knowing the basics of leadership can give students a head start in their fields.
Learning leadership is important to excelling in business, education and life. Becoming a leader is not easy, but knowing the basic principles of leadership can help send people in the right directions so they can work to master leadership. Institutions of higher education are great places to discuss the fundamentals of leadership. Teaching leadership at a basic level can benefit students of all disciplines.
Core Values
Core values are important to consider in the study of leadership, as they are the constant that helps guide an organization's ethos. They set the tone for how people in an organization should use their time, but do not need to be a specific doctrine, merely abstract ideals that help to align groups of people. They can be put in place to speed up productivity, maintain integrity and attract like thinkers. Examples of core values could be to maintain honesty in everything you do, or to relentlessly pursue excellence every day. Discussing core values is a great subject for debate in a college classroom. There is no right or wrong set in stone for what core values an organization should pick, but there are several key factors in teaching them, such as consistency and practice.
Motivation
Motivation is one of the most important and challenging elements of leadership. Understanding motivation includes knowing that individuals are motivated differently from factors including reward, personal interests, and sometimes fear. The most effective leaders figure out how individuals in their organization are motivated and accommodate them. Discussing leadership in a classroom can lead to students' expressing their own personal sources of motivation. Doing so can help the group as a whole understand the various forms of intrinsic motivation.
Communication
Communication is another essential element of leadership, as it improves work flow, resolves conflicts and prevents unnecessary problems. The success of an organization is highly dependent on good communication among subordinates, the public, bosses and associates. In-depth discussions on communication in the classroom can help future leaders understand work with others effectively and efficiently. Good communication is crucial for leaders to know what to expect of others, and what others expect of them.
Obstacles
There are obstacles to becoming a great leader and obstacles that established leaders must hurdle. Becoming a great leader means learning the discipline to use time effectively, taking smart risks, and overcoming personal flaws. Obstacles that commonly challenge established leaders are developing rapport with subordinates, setting ambitious goals, and earning respect. While discussing leadership in the classroom, it is always a good idea to address past leaders who have had to overcome great odds. For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt, though confined to a wheelchair from the effects of polio, was the only U.S. president elected to four terms.
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