Tall Poppies: A Look at Leadership

Social Studies Online

Choose a question:

• What do I look for in the leader of a school sports team? (For example, strong, usually fair, makes clear decisions.)
• What do I look for in a classroom leader? (For example: good organiser, fair)

Teacher explains the continuum to students. Talk about the continuum signs. Explain that people will have different opinions and that this is one way to explore these..

Blow up these signs and place them a few metres apart along a straight line, either across the classroom or outside in the playground.

Nervous  Kind  Can't make  mind up

Unsure  Sometimes  Fair  Asks  others'  advice

Firm  Fair  Makes  decisions on  own

Strong  Usually  Fair  Makes clear  decisions

Bossy  Favours  Friends  Decides  quickly

Students think about the question. (For example: what do I look for in a classroom leader?) They stand at the spot on the continuum they think shows the kind of leader they would choose. They think of a reason for standing in that position.

Students discuss their choices and give reasons for them. The discussion should illustrate a range of viewpoints (values positions) within the classroom.

After taking part in the continuum, students write down which category they stood in and why. Students ask the person next to them what they chose and why, and make a note of this too.

Discuss: Different people like different kinds of leaders. What are the consequences of this? Suggest ways you can resolve these differences.