Understanding the Importance of Leadership
Manufacturing Engineering
Lesson Plan
Performance Objectives
Students will be able to discuss the purpose of team leadership and their insight into characteristics of
innovative and visionary leaders to the satisfaction of the teacher.
Specific Objectives
 Discuss the value of teams
 Explain the need for competent team leaders
 Describe the characteristics of innovative and visionary leaders
Terms
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Assertiveness- confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views
Communication- the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas
Competent- to prove oneself proficient and reliable in a given skill or ability
Dedicated- wholly committed to a particular course of thought or action
Fairness- just and reasonable treatment in accordance with accepted rules or principles
Leadership- the ability to influence others to willingly follow you
Openness- ready acceptance of new suggestions, ideas, influences, or opinion
Planning- the act of creating a program or process for a definite course of action
Responsibility- being trustworthy, fulfilling one’s obligations, or being accountable for one’s actions
Visionary- a person of strong and creative imaginative power and often, someone with the ability to
inspire others
Time
When taught as written, this lesson should take approximately 180 minutes.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
Manufacturing Engineering

130.329 (c)
o (1) The student describes the importance of teamwork, leadership, integrity, honesty, work habits,
and organizational skills. The student is expected to:
(C) Distinguish team roles such as team leaders and team members
(D) Identify characteristics of good leaders
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Interdisciplinary Correlations
English, Language Arts and Reading, English I
 110.31 (b)
o (1) Reading/Vocabulary Development. Students understand new vocabulary and use it when
reading and writing.

110.31 (b)
o (11) Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Procedural Texts. Students understand
how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents.
Algebra I
 111.32 (b)
o (1) Foundations for functions. The student understands that a function represents a
dependence of one quantity on another and can be described in a variety of ways. The
student is expected to:
(E) interpret and make decisions, predictions, and critical judgments from functional
relationships.
World Geography Studies
 113.43 (c)
o (19) Science, technology, and society. The student understands the impact of technology
and human modifications on the physical environment. The student is expected to:
(A) evaluate the significance of major technological innovations in the areas of
transportation
and energy that have been used to modify the physical environment;
(B) analyze ways technological innovations such as air conditioning and desalinization
have
allowed humans to adapt to places; and
(C) examine the environmental, economic, and social impacts of advances in technology
on
agriculture and natural resources.

113.43 (c)
o (20) Science, technology, and society. The student understands how current technology
affects human interaction. The student is expected to:
(A) describe the impact of new information technologies such as the Internet, Global
Positioning System (GPS), or Geographic Information Systems (GIS); and
(B) examine the economic, environmental, and social effects of technology such as
medical
advancements or changing trade patterns on societies at different levels of
development.
2
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Occupational Correlation (O*Net www.onetonline.org)
Job Title: Chemical Plant and System Operator
O*Net Number: 51-8091.00
Similar Job Titles: Chemical Plant Operations Technician/ Process Development Technician
Tasks
 Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings
 Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that
standards are met
 Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings
Soft Skills
Judgment and Decision Making/ Control Analysis/ Operation Monitoring/ Critical Thinking
Accommodations for Learning Differences
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons may be modified to
accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special
Populations page of this website.
Preparation
 Review and become familiar with the terminology, website links, and the slide presentation.
 Have materials, slide presentation, and websites ready prior to the start of the lesson.
References
 http://websters.yourdictionary.com
 http://www.thefreedictionary.com
Instructional Aids
 Understanding the Importance of Leadership slide presentation and notes
 Warm-up Activity (slide 3)
 Understanding the Importance of Leadership Matching Terms and Definitions handout for
each student
 Understanding the Importance of Leadership Matching Terms and Definitions Answer Key
 Understanding the Importance of Leadership Quiz for each student
 Understanding the Importance of Leadership Quiz Answer Key
3
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Introduction
The main purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the importance of being able to work in a team
environment, the impact of team leadership on group success, and the characteristics of innovative and
visionary leaders.
Ask
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
Why is teamwork important?
What impact does poor team leadership have on the team achieving its goals?
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Outline
OUTLINE
MI
NOTES TO TEACHER
I.
Introduction and start of lesson
A. Bell Work Activity
B. Warm-up Activity
Begin Understanding the
Importance of Leadership
slide presentation.
II.
Defining the role of team leader
A. Why are teams necessary?
B. How do Team Leaders enhance
teamwork?
Have students work on the
Bell Work Activity (slide 2).
..
III.
Identifying characteristics of good
leaders
A. Innovative leaders
B. Visionary leaders
C. Leaders who demonstrated great
innovation
D. Leaders who demonstrated great
vision
IV.
Administer Understanding the Importance
of Leadership Quiz
Warm-up Activity (slide 3):
Using Understanding the
Importance of Leadership
Matching Terms and
Definitions handout,
students (in pairs) will teach
each other the terms and
definitions. They may do
computer-based research to
look up the meaning.
Discuss the impact of team
leadership (slide 4).
Each slide is meant to
be discussed. Have some
background knowledge and
challenge the students to
make some contributions to
the discussion.
Discuss the characteristics of
good leaders from an
innovative and visionary
standpoint. Spend time
clarifying what was unique
about their leadership
approach. Use the examples
in the presentation and
research other leaders from
a variety of fields also.
5
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Outline
MI
NOTES TO TEACHER
OUTLINE
Select and discuss some of
the definitions from the
Understanding the
Importance of Leadership
Matching Terms and
Definitions handout (slides
5-9).
Use Understanding the
Importance of Leadership
Quiz answer key to grade the
quiz.
Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existentialist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Kinesthetic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathematical
Musical/Rhythmic
Naturalist
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Application
Guided Practice
The teacher and students should search the Internet to find different sources to gain more insight into
 Leaders who have successfully accomplished challenging goals
 Leaders who have expanded the use of cutting edge technology of their day
The teacher should discuss some of his or her personal or professional goals that have been successfully
accomplished.
Independent Practice
 Students will write a 50-word essay on a vision for their future.
 Students will research the biographies of current day leaders online, create a slide presentation, and
present it to the class.
Summary
Review
Students will review the terms from the Warm-up Activity and key points from the Understanding the
Importance of Leadership slide presentation.
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Evaluation
Informal Assessment
Teacher will assess student learning through oral questions and answers. Students will discuss terms and
definitions and key points from the Understanding the Importance of Leadership slide presentation.
Formal Assessment
Teacher will administer the Understanding the Importance of Leadership Quiz.
Enrichment
Extension
Students will write a paper about leaders from the past and how they used technological innovations to
improve living conditions and the way we do business (for example, Abraham Lincoln and his vision for a
national railroad, or John F. Kennedy and his vision of the space program).
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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________Date_____________________Class_______________
Manufacturing Engineering
Understanding the Importance of Leadership
Matching Terms and Definitions
Directions- Match the terms in Section 1 with the definitions in Section 2
Section 1
A. Assertiveness
B. Communication
C. Competent
D. Dedicated
E. Fairness
F. Leadership
G. Openness
H. Planning
I.
Responsibility
J. Visionary
Section 2
1. _____ Being trustworthy, fulfilling one’s obligations, or being
accountable for one’s actions
2. _____ Wholly committed to a particular course of thought or
action
3. _____ Ready acceptance of new suggestions, ideas, influences,
or opinions
4. _____ A person of strong and creative imaginative power and
often, someone with the ability to inspire others
5. _____ The art and technique of using words effectively to
impart information or ideas
6. _____ The ability to influence others to willingly follow you
7. _____ Confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting
forward one's views
8. _____ Just and reasonable treatment in accordance with
accepted rules or principles
9. _____ To prove oneself proficient and reliable in a given skill
or ability
10. _____ The act of creating a program or process for a definite
course of action
8
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Manufacturing Engineering
Understanding the Importance of Leadership
Matching Terms and Definitions
Answer Key
1. I. Responsibility- being trustworthy, fulfilling one’s obligations, or being accountable for one’s actions
2. D. Dedicated- wholly committed to a particular course of thought or action
3. G. Openness- ready acceptance of new suggestions, ideas, influences, or opinions
4. J. Visionary- a person of strong and creative imaginative power and often, someone with the ability to
inspire others
5. B. Communication- the art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas
6. F. Leadership- the ability to influence others to willingly follow you
7. A. Assertiveness- confident and direct in claiming one's rights or putting forward one's views
8. E. Fairness- just and reasonable treatment in accordance with accepted rules or principles
9. C. Competent- to prove oneself proficient and reliable in a given skill or ability
10. H. Planning- the act of creating a program or process for a definite course of action
9
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Name__________________________________Date______________________Class_______________
Manufacturing Engineering
Understanding the Importance of Leadership
Quiz
1. Teams allow ____________________ to combine their efforts in unique ways to
_____________________________________________.
2. The team leader provides _______________________________________ to team members.
3. _________________________________ constantly strive to make positive change, which drives
improved productivity of their teams.
4. _______________________ are driven to turn their _______________________ into reality and
are able to ____________________________ to follow them.
5. Identify the visionary leader credited with inventing the telephone. _______________________
6. Who invented the motion picture camera and the alkaline battery? _______________________
7. What innovative leader has been described as “the Father of the Digital Revolution?”
______________________________
8. What military doctrine was used to guide U.S. policy during the Gulf War in Iraq?
_____________________________________________
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Manufacturing Engineering
Understanding the Importance of Leadership
Quiz Answer Key
1. Teams allow individuals to combine their efforts in unique ways to achieve a common goal.
2. The team leader provides guidance, direction, and motivation to team members.
3. Innovative leaders constantly strive to make positive change, which drives improved productivity
of their teams.
4. Visionary leaders are driven to turn their creative ideas into reality and are able to inspire others
to follow them.
5. Identify the visionary leader credited with inventing the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell
6. Who invented the motion picture camera and the alkaline battery? Thomas Edison
7. What innovative leader has been described as “the Father of the Digital Revolution?”
Steve Jobs
8. What military doctrine was used to guide U.S. policy during the Gulf War in Iraq?
Powell Doctrine created by General Colin Powell
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