Active Citizens 101 - National Service Inclusion Project

Rule of Law
HANDOUT 1.1A — UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP
You are going to work first as individuals
and then in pairs to consider what it means
to be a leader and what traits or characteristics
we associate with leadership.
Brainstorm List—Community Leaders
Working individually, name three leaders
from your community. What roles do they
fulfill
1.
2.
3.
Leadership Traits
Groups often agree that leaders are people
who can inspire and motivate people.
But different people consider different
qualities to be leadership traits. For example,
people often identify relationship, or
“people” skills (such as good group conflict
resolution abilities); communication skills
(such as being an effective public speaker);
or community-related skills (such as
good organizing skills) as leadership characteristics
or traits.
What leadership traits do you think people
need to become effective leaders
Leadership List
Working individually, choose TWO of the
people you identified earlier as leaders,
and consider why you believe each is a
leader. Then write down FIVE leadership
traits that you associate with each leader
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Working in pairs, discuss why you believe
each of the people you identified is a
leader.
Share your Leadership List with your partner.
Notice which traits you both listed. Review
all the traits you and your partner
identified.
• Identify leadership traits that you
AGREE upon.
• Identify leadership traits that you DIS-
AGREE upon.
• Be prepared to explain your choices to
the rest of the group.
DRAFT
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