While sitting through research presentations in my class. I came across one by Alex about Leadership Development. He found that leadership skills can be influenced through community, school, and extracurricular activities. The thing that came to mind was how leadership isn’t taught enough or supported throughout schools. Or really what is the best way to be taught leadership?

Those kids in school who have their head in a book constantly are not considered a leader yet when children have a question they go straight to those for help. This is an example of leadership. Those who are categorized as “Nerds” for answering every question right on a test or participating in the classroom set the example for everyone on how to be the ideal student. Those kids that were in my class were someone I looked up to and used as motivation even though they were they shy. These leaders are never acknowledged but only complimented. Even though schools strive for their kids to be the kid whose head is constantly in a book they almost shove it down your throat to have these high scores . But in reality if they were led by these leaders instead of demanded these scores by teachers they would get the results they wanted. 

One finding he found stated that placement tests should be incorporated in whatever community to find these leaders. And my first thought was those who do not do well in placement tests but who are natural born leaders how will they be acknowledged? There is honestly no way you can test someone for leadership skills.  Leadership is something that comes out naturally in any way you are comfortable with. Wether you are in a sport, extracurricular activity, classroom or community.  Whenever you find yourself then you start naturally leading because of the confidence you gained.

“Teaching leadership will bring more people together” is something I agree but disagree  with. In many ways leadership can be taught with motivation. I was taught leadership through softball. One of my favorite coaches that taught me everything I know  told me one day that when I go out on the field to never stop talking. She was in search for a captain on her team and I strived to be the best all around captain to win that spot. I slowly became a leader because of my motivation to be a captain. She told me that I need to lead by example, always encourage, and most of all be the hardest working person out there. Later that year she had never announced who was captain but the girls told me that I was one to look to for guidance. But at the same time being taught about leadership in this example led to a lot of people against me rather than joining me. Out of a group of 15 girls only 4 showed they wanted the captain spot. Even because I was trying to be the best others took it differently and soon I became more of an enemy than a team mate. So maybe because it was more of a competition of who can do best it turned out differently but I do think someone making a speech or activities will teach leadership in great ways. 

Teaching leadership I think will be best through activities. There is no easier way to force upon leadership then through playing a game where many don’t even realize they are leading .