2012 Leader Lessons
 

Developing Fresh Ideas

"Been there, done that!" That is the last thing you want to hear. You may be seeing your group's creative juices dwindle, yet it is not too late to pump up your cre­ativity and bring new ideas and strategies to the table.

The Fall Starting Line

The fall term is underway and it may feel like you and your group members are still waiting to start the race. The first few weeks of a semester are typically dedicated to "getting to know you" experiences, goal-setting opportunities and preparing for the road ahead. As you put the finishing touches on preparing the organization to provide intentional, rather than accidental, leadership this coming year, be sure to cover these bases...

Make a Difference Day

The fourth Saturday of every October is Make a Difference Day – the national day to help others. As a student leader you have the potential to make a difference every day simply through your words and actions.

Agreeing to Disagree

Leaders often find themselves in positions of disagreement. We are all entitled to our opinions; however that often means that we are going to face times when our ideas don't quite match those of others. This can lead to conflict, which can be a positive part of the leadership process – when managed well.

Rewind, Revisit & Review

As the winter break slowly approaches, your organization might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with the long "to do" list that needs to be accomplished before the start of the new year.  This is the time to remember -"slow and steady wins the race."

Treating Teammates Well

Groups work well as teams when the individuals involved treat each other with kindness and respect. How is your team doing when it comes to this angle?

Contending with Burnout

Being a dedicated student leader can be overwhelming, stressful, and draining at times.  You may be feeling a little empty.  It is easy to burn out!

Spring Break: What's a Student Leader to Do?

For many campuses spring break is right around the corner.  Student leaders should see this calendar break as an opportunity to step away from the crazy schedules and responsibilities that often occupy your calendars and time.

Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness are those "little things" that make our word a better place.  A campus community is a great place to start handing out kindness.

Group Closure: Facilitating a Meaningful Goodbye

It's almost time to say goodbye.  Yet, the multiple things you need to get done between now and the end of the semester can make it easy to back-burner closure.

Performance Review DO's and DON'Ts

The end of the year is often an opportune time to provide the performance feedback.

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2011 Leadership Lessons
 

Being Inclusive

This is the time of year when recruiting new members is at an all time high. In an effort to be welcoming to all members of your campus community, think about how you can be more inclusive and be aware of the language you and your peers are using.

Remembering the "Student" in Student Leader!

It's the start of the academic year and you are ready to reunity with friends, meet new people, hold your first group meeting, ready your organizational office or plan the first retreat. Student organization life is exciting, educational and fun, but it is important to remember that in order to be a student leader on campus you must first be a STUDENT!

Celebrate Differences

In light of the recent attention being given to the anti-gay bullying movement following a number of recent gay youth suicides, it seems a good time to ask ourselves how we can best celebrate and support the differences that surround us on campus.

What Kind of Leader Will You Be?

Leadership is not about position, it is about purpose. So, whether you are chairing a committee, serving as an officer, being an activemember of an organizationor volunteering for a special project, you can be a leader and lead!

Embracing Change

Routine can be comforting and familiar yet it can also become boring and feel rigid. The Thought of change can be intimidating yet it can also elicit excitement and foster growth in your group or organization.

Feeling Sleepy?

Routine The days are getting shorter, and fall can bring some cold, blustery, gray weather that can make anyone feel like a nap is in order. However, for most college students feeling sleepy just seems to come with the territory.

Be A Faith Leaper

What have you always wanted to do, but a fear got in the way? Or maybe it was not fear that stopped you. Maybe it was one or a combination of these: a sense of guilt, an avoidance of conflict, a need for perfection or other emotions that can stifle your ability to just get out there and do it!

Taking on the Tough Questions

Today is election day in the U.S. and many politicians across the country have taken on some tough questions the past few weeks, months, even years. Few people enjoy getting a TOUGH question, but public leaders can be sure that they will continue to come and are encouraged to answer all questions with honesty and integrity.

Super Teamwork

Teamwork is evolutionary. Evolving goals, members coming and going, changes in leadership and unexpected road bumps along the way. So much can influence the effectiveness of a team. However, there are some things that teams can do to lay the groundwork for success.

The Procrastination Problem

As a leader, you've probably already noticed that some students are procrastinators. You may even be one yourself! But how do you know when procrastination has become a real problem?