MODULE 2:

Thinking About

Great Leaders

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.

The leader adjusts the sails.” ~ John Maxwell

Thinking about great leaders...

Start by considering a time when you were a leader, and answer the following three questions:

1) Were you anticipating change? Did you look around the corner?

2)What was your diversity measure? Were you only watching/listening/engaging with people who were similar to you? Like minded?

3) Did you embrace a larger change? Or did you hold back and stay with what you knew and what was comfortable?

NOW THINK BEYOND THE THREE QUESTIONS...

What factors were present that made you a leader?
Do you like it when everyone agrees with you?
Do you personally dislike change?
Is it scary to be an outlier? What is challenging about being the person who is asking your group/team/committee/workplace to do something different?

Rows of soldiers in formation behind a leader.

BEING A LEADER IS MORE THAN COMMANDING

In the video below, author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek explores some aspects of leadership that don't always come to mind when we think of leaders in our world, work, school or life. Take a listen...

Think about a time when you were part of a larger organization (work, school, team, etc.).

Was it important that you trusted the person in charge to take care of you?
Did it matter that you saw them making sacrifices or working hard as well?
Do you think you worked harder or did more if they seemed to care about your well-being as well?

Kluane Adamek

Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek urges others to follow in the legacy of her people by putting more women at the table and encouraging them to seek spaces where their perspectives can create the biggest impact for a better tomorrow.

In Kluane Adamek’s TED talk she spoke about the importance of having different voices at the leadership table. Take some time to think about diversity in leadership and work through the following questions:

When you think about leadership in your community or the world:

What voices do you think are being left out? Ignored? Considered less valued?

What voices do you think we need to hear more from?

MINDS ON

💡 Reflection

After listening to the perspectives and insights shared by Simon Sinek and Kluane Adamek, and you reflect on the topic of leadership, do you have an image in your mind of what a leader looks like?

Things to consider:

Do you think leaders are a special group?
Do you think higher education is needed to be a leader?
Consider who may be left out of leadership roles?
Consider how different leaders can approach problems with diverse mindsets?

Record your answers in your Student Workbook.

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