6)+Components+of+Leadership


 * __[[file:Components of Leadership.rtf|Components of Leadership Document]]__**

**__LEADERSHIP DEFINITION:__**
Leadership is the ability to get work done with and through others while at the same time winning their confidence, respect, loyalty, and willing co-operation.

**Components of Leadership:**
1.Establishing a vision: This means setting goals or deciding on the direction the group will go. For example the vision of Big Sisters is that young will be paired with older females so they have a strong female model in their lives.

2.Influencing and persuading the behaviour of others: Through things that a leader says or does he/she has a positive influence on others in the group. In essence they become a positive role model. An example is a coach commenting on a player who took time to help a teammate learn a play. When the coach says to Joe “I really liked the way you were helping George out” Joe is more likely to continue his positive actions.

3. An exercise of authority: A leader needs to take charge of the group at times, to be the boss. For example if a student Council meeting was getting out of control it is up to the president to restore order at the meeting.

4. Process of decision making: There are different ways decisions can be made. The leader determines the way the decision is going to be made and takes the group through the decision making process. At times a leader needs to be able to make good decisions on short notice. For example the editor of the school paper may have to decide whether or not to delay the paper going out if a news breaking story happens just before the deadline.

5. Nourishing and enhancing others: A leader should try to provide a positive environment for group members to learn new skills and increase their confidence. This is done by praising good effort and offering positive suggestions that can make their ideas even better. For example a student may suggest running a games night. A leader in the residence may be enthusiastic about the idea and suggest some games that would be popular with the group.

6. Interaction between leaders and followers: Good communication skills are needed to have a healthy relationship between group members and the leader. For example, if a member of the swim club was in charge of booking the pool, for an extra practice and is unsure of hot to do it, he needs to be able to talk to the swim leader and ask him about it.