Student Leadership 4
One of the first things we need to say is that our thinking needs to begin with an understanding about Leader-SHIP before it’s about leaders. Let me explain that.
No teacher is identical to another. It is quite foolish, in fact, for a teacher to try to fully imitate someone else; we may pick up some hints or strategies from others but we cannot be that other person.
Instead, we learn firstly about teaching, learning, the nature of students, an understanding of curriculum etc. That knowledge and understanding is then worked out through our personality, giftings, calling and expertise. Each teacher expresses their understanding of teaching and learning through their own identity. Leadership is the same.
We need to understand the basis of leadership, its purpose, its nature, the intentions, the qualities necessary, essential skills like communication and listening – then we can see how that works out in different people.
Leadership needs to be effective, moral, relational and many other things – but it can then work out through people who are quiet or noisy, introverted or extroverted, spontaneous or considered.
Our young people are going to learn about leadership in a number of ways. We, and others, will teach them; we will model good leadership, we will place them in positions where leadership needs to be exercised, we will educate them to reflect and critique, we will mentor and encourage. This means that we had better have a good understanding of leadership so that our influence is positive.
We also need to recognise that leadership does not take place in isolation. It is an essential part of community life; it is identified and occurs in relational contexts.
It is interesting to note that leadership is not frequently mentioned in the Scriptures.
“…when you go looking in the Bible, you realise pretty quickly that it’s a word that can hardly be found there at all.”[1]
However, it is encapsulated in many other names: mothers, fathers, prophets, priests, kings, shepherds, sages, judges, apostles, elders, counsellors, servants, pastors and so on. In other words, leadership takes place in community and arises from community and is of benefit to the community.
Blessings
Brian
[1] Starling, David (2014): “UnCorinthian Leadership” (Oregan, Cascade Books). pp. 3