LEADERSHIP DEFINITIONS
·
The act of moving people
toward goal achievement.
·
What a leader does that
causes others to act or behave in certain ways.
·
A specific process
designed to produce changes in others’ behaviors through the use of
interpersonal influence.
·
A process employed by the
leader to assist individuals and groups in identifying and achieving their
goals.
A Leader can be thought of as an individual who guides,
directs, and influences the attitudes and behavior of others.
DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Every group of
individuals that acts together has a leader, either someone who spontaneously
emerges as a leader or who is elected or appointed.
Before becoming a
good leader, one should learn to be a good follower.
FOLLOWERSHIP – “the ability
to serve in a democratic group situation under the leadership of a member of
that group but still retain the capacity to suggest, criticize and evaluate, as
well as serve in the project.”
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
·
Should already have
acquired the skill of living congenially with a group.
·
Maintain a spirit of
cooperation and teamwork.
·
Unselfishly willing to
sacrifice their own wishes for the best interest of the group.
·
Possesses the ability to
weld a group into a well-coordinated team with each member contributing
according to individual ability.
TYPES OF LEADERSHIP
Autocratic - (Authoritarian) controls the direction and decision making
about activities, goals, procedures for the entire group.
·
seldom consider the
opinion or desires of their campers
·
believe in own judgments,
seldom seek advise
·
this technique may
satisfy a desire for power over others in an unhealthy way
Laissez-Faire
– almost the exact opposite of autocratic style consisting of no authority or
leadership at all.
·
believe in complete
self-direction of campers.
·
believe that harmony
happens when people are free to do as they please.
Democratic
– often called “shared” or “participatory” leadership.
The art of working with, for and
in the group without losing control of
it.
·
works cooperatively with
group
·
encourages campers to
express views and participate
·
understands that group
process will be slower since explanations, discussions, and group action take
more time.
·
all participants have a
chance to express themselves and share in the decision-making processes of the
camp directly or indirectly through representation on unit council, etc.
SUGGESTIONS TO
HELP CAMP COUNSELORS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS
·
Lead by example
·
Good sense of humor
·
Tactfully avoid
misunderstandings and feuds
·
Work side by side with
rest of group
·
Know the value of fun
·
Suggest, don’t order
·
Give praise freely, see
good in everyone
·
Have concern for
camper’s pride
·
Avoid use of physical
punishment
·
Use disciplinary actions
only when absolutely necessary
UNDERSTANDING GROUP DEVELOPMENT
Groups progress
through five stages of development.
·
Pre-affiliation stage
·
Power and control stage
·
Intimacy stage
·
Differentiation stage
·
Separation stage
Copyright
2001 Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED