Student Leadership

At Ellesmere College – Te Kāreti o Waihora we explore leadership through Kouzes & Posner’s Leadership Challenge.

Leaders establish principles and role-model the way others should be treated and the way they should pursue goals. Leaders set high standards and set an example for others to follow. They put up signposts when people feel unsure of where to go or how to get there. Leaders create opportunities for others to achieve their goals.

Leaders passionately believe they can make a difference. They envision the future and co-create a vision to work towards. By modeling the way, leaders engage others to achieve a shared vision. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.

Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve things. In doing so, they experiment and take risks. Since complex change threatens to overwhelm people and stifle action, leaders set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives. Just because “this is how it always has been done” doesn’t mean it shouldn’t change. Because leaders know that taking risks involves mistakes and failures, they reflect and learn from their mistakes.

Leaders foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others. They provide opportunities for other’s leadership capacity to flourish and grow. Leaders understand that mutual respect sustains extraordinary efforts. They strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and valued.

Accomplishing extraordinary things is hard work. To keep hope and determination alive, leaders recognise the contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes.