Born to follow or lead? Relevance of Leadership Training in Schools

“We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by”-Will Rogers, US Humorist and showman.

The conventional thinking is that some people are born to lead while majority are born to follow. It may be true that in entertainment industry and sports, all can’t be heroes. The industry can thrive only if there are a few heroes and more admirers.

In business, politics, government, teaching, industry, medicine and several other professions, some people are chosen to lead while most people refuse to take any initiative or are unable to get opportunities to show their leadership qualities.

The first lessons

The first lessons in leadership should naturally start from schools. However, teachers tend to favor or hand pick certain students with communication skills and good physical attributes to take the lead in many activities in school. This leaves the majority of the other kids to remain in the periphery and get typecast as ‘average’ lacking initiative and unable to take the lead in activities.

Even as the school systems in India tend to create more followers than leaders, they do have certain programs or activities that inculcate leadership and responsibility towards others.

#National Cadet Corps (NCC):
The National Cadet Corps (NCC), an India government initiative is aimed at building a spirit of adventure, comradeship and leadership qualities in school and college going children. The NCC was formed in 1948 as per The National Cadet Corps Act in 1948 in view of the requirement to build a strong armed forces to protect our borders after the Kashmir war of 1948. NCC cadets are inculcated the values of discipline, service and responsibility. They engage in social service, adventure activities such as trekking in forests, mountaineering learn new skills such as flying an aircraft.  The minimum age for enrolment into junior division is 13 years and senior division is for those who have completed plus two. There is no compulsion to join the military service but NCC cadets get preference for selection to armed forces.

The intention of NCC is laudable and they do create a core team of healthy, skillful and resourceful students with leadership and communication skills. However, not all students are capable of enrolling in NCC considering the rigorous training schedules and health requirements for the program. Not all schools and colleges have NCC units and therefore, the scope of the national program does not reach the entire student community.

#Debating Clubs, Arts Club, Drama Clubs, Environment Clubs

Many schools and colleges have clubs to promote talent – it could be debating clubs, drama clubs, arts club, nature clubs and so on. The intention is to create group activity and promote skills of students. Most often they are formed to groom students for inter-school or college competitions and the ratio of students active in such clubs may be small compared to the total number of students.

# Camping and trekking

In School Annual Reports, principals highlight the annual leadership programmes organized for students which may involve camping, trekking activities in a hill station or forest under the guidance of teachers and resource people drawn from the armed forces or the Forest Department. It is no doubt a great experience and learning opportunity for children but again only about 20-25 students become part of the event due to infrastructural and logistic issues.

# Leadership lectures

Many schools said they organize leadership lectures by eminent personalities drawn from business, policy making and industry to motivate students. They tell their story and also motivate the students to be pro-active and be innovative in doing things. Mostly it could be about what they should be doing once they complete the studies and think of choosing a career.

#The Leader in Me program

Schools are heavily oriented towards academics with team activities and life skills seen as extra-curricular activity. When teachers and parents emphasize the academics above other skills, their worry is about finishing the lessons on time and students getting adequately prepared for examinations.

The Leader in Me program now implemented in about 3000 private and public schools in 50 nations is refreshingly different. It is based on Stephen R Covey’s best seller ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’.  It considers each child as a leader and helps them to be proactive, take initiative, responsibility for whatever they do. In short, leadership element is built into all activities done at school-whether it is an academic project, cleaning the classroom, planting trees or organizing a sports or cultural event.

The idea germinated in the mind of Muriel Summers, Principal at AB Combs Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Faced with falling number of student enrolments and possible degrading from a ‘magnet’ school to a traditional school, Muriel Summers approached Stephen Covey after a presentation of his 7 Principles at an event in Washington DC in late 1999 with the idea of implementing them in schools. Till then it was believed that his 7 habits were effective only for teenagers, employees, managers and professionals.  Muriel was talking about implementing his concepts to children as young at 4 years.  (In USA magnet schools were set up to have offerings that would attract student beyond the district in which they were situated).

Muriel’s success story was later chronicled by Stephen R Covey himself in another of his best-seller, The Leader in Me: How School and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time published by Simon & Schuster, London.

Every Child a leader

In Leader in Me program, every child is considered a leader. They are encouraged by the parents and teachers about being pro-active, importance of time management, getting along well with others, taking responsibility for their action and behavior and setting goals. A visitor to A B Combs School notes that what is remarkable about the school is that teachers are hardworking and empowered. Students are given leadership roles and many decisions are made by students and not teachers. 

Andrew Cherng, co-founder of Panda Express, a large Chinese restaurant chain serving Chinese food in USA, reported about an interaction with students of AB Comb Elementary School. He talked to students about the things that impressed him at the school- it was a lengthy list. But at the end of it, a student stood up and politely asked, “Mr Cherng,you have told us about the good things you are doing at our school, but what about the ‘deltas’? You know… the things we need to do better.” This kid, a third-grader was serious about making further improvements and showing remarkable leadership skills, notes Andrew Cherng.
_________________________________________________________________________________

7 Habits in the Classroom

1.Proactive
Take the initiative and not wait to be told to do things. Accept responsibility for your behavior and actions in the classroom.

2,Begin with the End in mind
Set your goals and targets in the beginning and start your work. It should be in conformity with school’ vision and values

3.Put first Things First
Prioritize important tasks and do them first. You must say ‘no’ to things you shouldn’t do.

4,Think Win-Win
Respect for others wants and needs and create a win-win situation when conflicts arise

5,First Seek to understand, then understood
Listen and understand the feelings of others before you voice your ideas. Look into the eyes of others when you talk.

6.Synergize
Learn the strengths of others, involve them in group activities and collaborate to find solutions and solve problems

7.Sharpen the Saw

Pay attention to your health, eat right and do physical exercise. Interact with and learn beyond 

school. Try out meaningful ways to help others.

______________________________________________________________________________

Benefits of Leadership programs

By convention schools were expected to focus on academics with social and life skills to be learnt either at home or elsewhere.  In an ever-changing globalized world, where uncertainty rules with respect to business, jobs and political environment, intelligence quotient or academic scores may not help our students to survive. As Muriel Summers notes-“ If we are putting all our efforts on the almighty test score alone, I am quite afraid that we are going to create a generation of children who know how to do nothing but take a test well.”

All the leadership programs that are implemented in Indian schools such as NCC, trekking, adventure programs, club activities have a value in itself but do not involve all students and therefore limited in scope. Even sports and annual day functions are organized by teachers and leave out majority of the students from participation. Most children may have to go to finishing schools or attend special courses to improve communication skills, leadership skills and training to improve their motivational skills.

The Leader in Me program implemented right from Kindergarten level integrates leadership component in all activities done by children. It is implemented through posters, games, stories, toys, poetry, drama, assignments. When important events are held the students themselves line up and greet the visitors. They look up adult in the eyes while they greet them, writes a visitor at A B Combs School.

According to Dr Chantel  Ishola, who did a study of Leader in Me for his research work, the program helps develop lot of skills associated with the 7 habits-Politeness, Independence, helpfulness, responsibility, helpfulness, ambitiousness, self-control and respect.

The best part of Leader in Me is that it does away with comparison and competition but lays emphasis on improving personal records by having a data notebook that keeps track of all their activities from the beginning of the year.

To get best results, both parents and teachers should be involved in leadership activities as they should practice the principles learnt at school in all activities at home also. When there are too many activities to choose from, let the child decide what to but narrow down the options for them. They can be involved in small jobs, take part in decision making, finances and looking after siblings. The success of Leader in Me is that leadership is not seen as a position but as a way of living and leading one’s  own life.

Couples: Matching personality types may be the way to success in marriage

If you are tired of hearing the same solutions for a marriage that is going through difficult times: adjust, compromise and understand each other, I won't blame you.

For couples who are unwilling to shed their egos, it makes little sense to try these strategies. Haven't you heard, the ideal marriage would be between a deaf husband and a blind wife or something like that.

It is believed that no two individuals are alike and God made it that way. There are even differences between brothers and sisters, twin brothers and sisters born to the same parents. So how do you fit two people born and brought up in different families, socio-economic mileau or sometimes from different castes and religion to work out in real life?
I think we need to analyse the personality types to look for the right fit to happen in a marriage relationship.

1)Hardcore conventional

2)Modern

3)Eccentric

4)Perverted

Now let's find out the attributes of a hardcore conventional husband and wife:

1 a)Hardcore conventional husband: He is brought up on traditional family values and a stickler for rules and regulations. His personality expressed in Transactional analysis (Parent-Adult-Child) would be dominated by the Parent. Since his parent is dominating-he will hold onto moral values and his commandments will be do this, do that and not an inch more. He may believe in wife being subservient in all respects, also expect the wife to be 100% traditional in looks, beliefs and attitude. He may place his own family members above any one else and expect his wife and children to be like them and respect them. He may hold only coventional jobs, not a risk taker, not adventurous or romantic. He would like his wife to wash and iron his clothes,look after children, prepare food and serve them, keep the house clean. His job would be to go to office on time, return and enjoy reading a newspaper, book or simply watch TV. He may occasionaly take the family out for a film, shopping or weekend outing but again with pre-determined itinery.He may be a strict father to his children and believes in keeping family members in their proper places not giving undue freedom. In making purchases or planning something, he will still hold the upper hand although he may consult wife and children just for namesake. The conventional husband is conventional even in dressing-- he may not even wear a T-shirt or allow modern dresses to be worn by wife and children. He is likely to be a teetotler and a non-smoker.

1 b)Hardcore Conventional Wife: Like the hardcore conventional husband, the typical wife was also brought up on traditional values. No matter what you learn or achieve, you are going to end up in your husband's house obeying whatever they say. She will always remain a shadow of her husband and even if educated may not like to go for a job or because her husband's family doesn't like it. She willingly becomes part of the household and strive hard to be a good wife, mother, daughter-in-law and possibly not voice her thoughts and views for fear of being rejected or ridiculed. In transactional analysis (PAC), her Adult position may be weak and her Child was constantly directed to obey rather than question. He may not have any hobbies or interests and not likely to pursue them as she gets little time. She is expected to wear conventional dresses, hair style and make up, and obediently accompanying husband in social functions and events. Most often her role would be restricted to smiling, or saying "is it." However, in woman's company, these types may indulge in their favourite gossips to vent out their stress. After giving birth to children, they are not likely to be bothered about looks and end up rotound at the age of 40.

2 a)Modern Husband: He may have been born to parents having a modern outlook or acquired it while at college and subsequently on the job. A typical modern would have looks, manners, dressing and even attitude that reflect a global outlook. He may be member of more than a few clubs, play tennis or golf. He is most likely to be a  professional in a large company or running his own business. His choice of books, music, attire and friends would reflect his modern image.Most likely to opt for an automobile even if it is beyond his immediate means but ensure that his status is maintained.It is not unlikely that he will land into financial troubles but still have a way out. His travel would criss-cross the continents of the world and would most likely have an iPad, Iphone, Mac PC and other gadgets. His children would most probably follow his traits. He would be comfortable in bermudas in the evenings. He is likely to treat children as friends and help them share their concerns at any level.

 2b) Modern Wife: Like the modern husband may have been born to parents in the upper middle class income group and High Networth Individuals category. Or they may have acquired it at college and afterwards. This would be reflected in their dressing, manners, hairstyle, attitudes and beliefs, the company they keep. They will most probably be part of some ladies clubs and can often be seen in boutiques and fitness centres. They may have a professional job or run their own business independent of husband. They ride their own car and two wheeler and would most probably have independent views-- as opposed to their parents, husbands and friends. In Transactional Analysis their Adult and Child could be more activated- they are likely to be creative and innovative in business and work. Likely to see children as friends just as the dad does.

3 a) Eccentric Husband: An eccentric husband is most likely to be highly educated but hold beliefs or act in a manner which are often considered uncoventional. They may read a novel while walking on the road. They could be very creative types but dropped out of college and wear uncoventional dresses. The extreme eccentric case is that of Albert Einstein who picked up cigarette butts off the street to get tobacco for his pipe. An eccentric could avoid social gatherings and rather have a drink alone at a pub. They may read a book at the top of a tree. They would be least bothered about children and their studies but still share some fine moments with them from time to time.

"Eccentricity is often associated with genius, intellectual giftedness, or creativity. People may perceive the individual's eccentric behavior as the outward expression of their unique intelligence or creative impulse.[1] In this vein, the eccentric's habits are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a mind so original that it cannot be conformed to societal norm" (WikiPedia)
As society sees lot of unconventional in them, they are also likely to be branded a bit mad but that is not so. Novelist Orhan Pamuk said on his eccentricity : In the mornings I used to say goodbye to my wife like someone going to work, I'd leave the house, walk around a few blocks, and come back like a person arriving at the office.

3 b) Eccentric Wife: Eccentric women have been found in the realm of arts, theatre, show business but we are not aware of eccentric women among middle class or upper middle class but such creative types are most likely to live alone but still making a lot of money from their profession. They need not necessarily come from an eccentric lineage but may have acquired it at some point in their life.

4 a) Perverted Man would see pervsion in almost anything-- a well dressed woman, a beautiful child. According to Wikipedia, perversion is a type of human behavior that deviates from that which is understood to be orthodox or normal.

It is not just related to sexuality alone but to a whole host of behavior that could have impact on social life. A perversion could be a hatred for anything produced by a foreign company. A pervision could be seeing ulterior motives in a boy and girl talking or walking together. Lot of such examples can be made out which applies to a perverted man and woman.

So what types fit in marriage 

For Sure: 1a and b: Traditional vs traditional which is not likely to run into trouble but life would still be routine and without excitement.
For sure: 2a and b: A modern can't be pitted against a traditonal-there could be clashes but among modern couples differences still can crop up that needs deft handling
For Sure: Eccentric vs Eccentric is likely to succeed as both are likely to be responsive to the other. But Eccentric may not match with the modern or the traditonal.Best eg of an eccentric: Myself telling synopsis of what I have read from philosophy, religion or psychology books to put my wife Aswathy to sleep. She likes it too-- says my sound is soothing, a sleeping pill!. Or somebody like me who doesn't like his wife to serve food but keep it where it is or find happiness in her teasing me..

Unsure: Perverted people could cause havoc every where and they can't be pitted against anyone.

Aberrations: It is possible that some people may be modern when it comes to dress but traditonal when it comes to thoughts and beliefs. Similarly, there are people are traditional in looks but whose thought could be progressive or modern. It is also possible that a traditional persona can have a bit of eccentricity, so also the modern.