Peer Leadership Summer Assignment

Peer Leadership Summer Assignment

Read Chapter 1-3 in Peer Leadership
Define “Character” in your own words
Choose one leader that you admire or identify with.

a. Leader:

b. Capacity in which they served:

Answer the following questions as they apply to this particular person.

1) What strengths of character enabled this person to do

what he or she did?

2) What qualities make this person a leader?

3) What obstacles did this person have to overcome?

4) How did this person develop his or her own style of leadership?

5) What qualities do you admire most about this person?

6) What do you consider this person’s weaknesses?

7) What particular character strengths did/does this person possess

that you feel you also have, at least to some degree? What is one thing you could do to further develop that quality? Write out a plan.

8) What is one character strength possessed by this person that you do not now have but would like to develop? How could you do that?

9) What image does this leader project?

Name:__________________________________

WORKSHEET ONE

Answer the following as it pertains to you:

What values should guide my actions as a leader?

How do I best set an example for others?

How do I articulate a vision of the future when things are so unpredictable? (How do you communicate the importance of peer leadership and it’s translation to their high school experience? How will they incorporate what you’ve taught them?)

How do I improve my ability to inspire others toward a common purpose?

How do I create an environment that promises innovation and risk? (How do you get them to feel comfortable about sharing about themselves?)

How do I build a spirited and cohesive team?

How do I put more joy and celebration into our efforts? (How can I make our classes fun and informative?)

What is a source of self-confidence required to lead others?

How do I go about improving my leadership abilities?

Peer Leadership 2008-2009 Summer Assignment

Mrs. Lenney, Mrs. Kobylinski & Mr. Ianni

The following assignments will be discussed during the retreat as well as the first week of class in September.

1. Summarize Chapters 1-3. (pp. 1-13) In this summarization, include:

· How these concepts can be applied to your role as a peer leader and

· How you plan on implementing them within your classes with the 8^th grade.

2. There is a list of 5 practices and 10 commitments of exemplary leadership. (p. 14)

· Give examples of how you have modeled the 5 practices in your life.

· Give examples of how you will implement/teach the 10 commitments within the 8^th grade classes.

3. Being selected as a peer leader it is expected that you exemplify the definition A Person of Character, and uphold the Six Pillars of Character. As was mentioned in the group interview, peer leadership is not only about what you can bring to the program, but what the program can do for you. It is our intention to help you develop your qualities of leadership and by doing that we ask that you read and develop these Six Pillars into your daily practice of leadership. (p. 15)

· How reasonable do you feel this request is?

· What benefits and setbacks do you foresee?

4. All leaders encounter obstacles they need to overcome. As cited in the excerpt from Leadership for Students, look at the obstacles to becoming a leader and alternatives toward leadership development. (pp. 16)

· What are other obstacles you have experienced in your pursuit of leadership potential?

· What alternatives have you found successful in overcoming these obstacles?

5. Again, as cited in the excerpt from Leadership for Students, time management is an important element of effective leadership. Analyze the Time Management Matrix and assess your own ability in this area.

What are the activities that keep you from being as productive as you could be?
How do you spend most of your free time?
How can you make better use of your time?

6. Examine the “Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Leadership” (p.17). In your opinion:

· Does power corrupt?

· How are acceptable moral and ethical standards set?

· What determines a morally mature leader?

· Are there leaders who have unethical causes, but moral actions?

· Are the leaders who have moral causes, but unethical actions?

· What is your plan for your own growth toward becoming an ethical leader?

7. A section of The Leadership Challenge Workbook by Jim Kozes & Bary Pozner is provided. In this excerpt, Milton Rokeach refers to values as, “an enduring belief about the way things should be done or about the ends we desire. Values are intrinsically important to us and it is unlikely that they will change easily”. (pp.19-23)

Clarify your values: Review the list of some commonly held values. Add any you think are missing. Put check marks next to the 7 values that you feel are most important in the success of peer leadership.
Set your Priorities: The values we hold inevitably will be in conflict to those of others and cannot be avoided. In order to be clearer about the priorities of your values, the worksheet requires that you list the seven values you selected in the previous activity. Distribute a total of 100 points among the seven. All values listed must be given a value.
Complete the remainder of this activity as indicated. Keep in mind that the term “your organization” refers to the peer leadership class and program.

9.Complete Worksheet One. (pp.24)

5 PRACTICES

Examples of how I have modeled these practices of exemplary leadership

MODEL THE WAY

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INSPIRE A SHARED VISION

CHALLENGE THE PROCESS

ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT

ENCOURAGE THE HEART

10 COMMITMENTS

Identify your plan of action

(this will be discussed with your new co-leader at the retreat)

1.____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________4.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________5.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________6.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________7.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________8.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________9.____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________10.___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Person of Character and the Six Pillars

As was mentioned in the group interview, peer leadership is not only about what you can bring to the program, but what the program can do for you. It is our intention to help you develop your qualities of leadership. Read and develop these Six Pillars into your daily practice of leadership.

Please comment on the following pillars as they pertain to you as a person and a leader.

TRUSTWORTHINESS

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

FAIRNESS

CARING

CITIZENSHIP

_________________________________________________________________

· How reasonable do you feel this request is?

· What benefits and setbacks do you foresee?

OBSTACLES TO BECOMING A LEADER

All leaders encounter obstacles they need to overcome. As cited in the excerpt from Leadership for Students, look at the obstacles to becoming a leader and alternatives toward leadership development.

· What are other obstacles you have experienced in your pursuit of leadership potential?

· What alternatives have you found successful in overcoming these obstacles?

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is an important element of effective leadership. Analyze the Time Management Matrix and assess your own ability in this area. (P.16-17)

What are the activities that keep you from being as productive as you could be?

How do you spend most of your free time?

How can you make better use of your time?