Leadership & Communication
Principles of Agriculture
Ms. Hill
Objective #1
Define Leadership
In your notes…
My definition of leadership is…
What is Leadership?
ACTIVITY!
8 Myths of Leadership
1. In groups of three, discuss each “myth of
leadership”
2. Under each myth, write 1 reason why it is true and 1
reason why it is false.
3. Be prepared to discuss these!
Objective #2
Describe characteristics of a
leader
In your notes…
1. Write your name down the left side like this  
2. For each letter, write a word that describes YOU!
M
S.
What do you think that many of these words share in
common?
H
I
L
L
Do you think they relate to a particular type of person?
All of these words relate to a good leader, and today we
will learn about what types of traits these are in relation
to leadership.
Leadership Characteristics
There are four types of leadership characteristics:
1. Internal – personal characteristics
 Hard-working, driven, creative
2. Technical - these are skills that show you know about
leadership and how to do things
 Follow directions, conduct of meetings, public speaking
3. Conceptual – thinking skills
 Think logically, anticipate problems, make decisions
4. Interpersonal – people skills
 Respectful, trustworthy, honest, communication
Objective #3
Describe different leadership
styles
Styles of Leadership
Autocratic
1.
All decisions are made by one leader. No input from others.
2. Activities directed by authority. The way a task is completed is decided by person in
charge.
3. Leader assigns tasks. No choice is given.
4. Leader sets rules, gives praise or criticism, and remains apart from the group.
Democratic
1.
All decisions are a matter of group discussion, encouraged by the leader.
2. All members are encouraged to share ideas.
3. All members are free to work with whom they choose and on which tasks.
4. Leader is flexible to change and is a regular member of the group.
Laissez-Faire
1.
Complete freedom of group. No leader participation.
2. Leader supplies info when asked but takes no part in decision or work.
3. Very few comments or ideas are given. Lack of participation is the norm.
As a chapter leader, you are faced
with getting a sufficient number of
volunteers to sell popcorn at the
home football games. Which style of
leadership do you think would be
most effective?
In the previous scenario, what
possible difficulties might an
authoritarian leader face when
working with chapter members??
ACTIVITY!
To gain a better understanding of YOUR leadership
style, we are going to take a leadership style inventory!
ACTIVITY!
You will be grouped by your respective leadership style
as defined by the leadership style inventory.
You will be given a mission! It is your job to successfully
complete this mission as quickly as possible!
Discussion
What were the attributes or the positive characteristics
of your group?
What challenges did you face when working with one
another?
What strategies did you use to be successful?
Why are we concerned with our
leadership style?
Groups bring together individuals
with various decision-making and
leadership styles. Understanding
how you and others in the group
make decisions can help you work
with one another more successfully.
Objective #4
Discuss the importance of personal
leadership development
ACTIVITY!
Alphabet For Success
In your groups, you will be assigned a set of letters
from the alphabet.
For each letter, choose a characteristic that you feel
is necessary in order to achieve success.
On construction paper, create a picture of that
characteristic to be posted in the Ag hallway.
How do you become a successful
leader?
Analyze
yourself,
determining
your weak and
strong points.
Set goals for
improvement!
Make and
follow a plan to
develop
personal
leadership skills.
Learn how to
take directions.
Learn about how
groups function
and identify the
types of people
within the group.
Study the qualities
of good leaders
and learn from
their mistakes.
Developing a Personal Leadership
Plan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Focus your thinking and develop a vision.
Set SMART goals.
Develop initiative.
Develop self-confidence.
Develop personal responsibility.
Develop a healthy self-image.
Develop organization.
Eliminate procrastination.
Study leadership.
Magnify your strengths.
In your notes…
Develop a personal leadership plan for yourself using
the following steps as a guideline.
Be prepared to discuss!
Objective #5
Explain types of leadership
traits, abilities, and skills
ACTIVITY!
Who’s the leader?
I need two volunteers!
What two roles must effective leaders
achieve in order to provide leadership for
their group?
 Task Role – involves providing direction to the group in
order to accomplish the goal. The leader keeps the group
moving toward its goal and assists the group in being
productive and efficient. Getting the job done is the primary
concern in this role.
 Relationship Role – involves building, enhancing, and
maintaining positive relationships within the group.
Leaders build cooperation between members and develop
the group into a team.
ACTIVITY!
Ms. Hill is going to give you a questionnaire about
“skills”.
Answer each question with a “Y” for yes, or an “N” for
no.
If you answered “yes” in section 1, you have technical skills. These are
“how to” skills which are attained the easiest and last the longest.
If you answered “yes” in section 2, you have conceptual skills. These
are “thinking” skills. They are more difficult to obtain, however, these
skills can be developed through thinking games and other activities.
If you answered “yes” in section 3, you have human relation skills.
These are “people” skills. Most are not hard to learn and can be
strengthened through practice and interaction with others. But be
careful, leaders tend to forget about these important skills when
they’re under pressure to complete a task.
On a piece of paper…
Write ½ page or more, describing one of the three skills
we just discussed.
Tell me which you think is the most important and why.
Describe a time that you have exhibited this skill or have
seen someone else do so.
Objective #6
Describe qualities of an
effective leader.
In previous lessons we have discussed the
importance of leadership development, and we
have identified the roles and skills which successful
leaders achieve. As we have learned, leadership
development is an ongoing process. In order for us
to be more effective leaders, we can identify
qualities of leadership that will help us improve our
strengths and eliminate our weaknesses.
In your notes…
Identify a person that you believe is a successful leader
or someone who has had a positive influence in the lives
of others.
List the qualities of leadership that this person
demonstrates or exemplifies.
Discussion
Who do you recognize as a great leader?
What qualities does this person have that make them a
great leader?
ACTIVITY!
 In groups of 3, you are going to create a “Top Ten List
of Exceptional Leadership Qualities”
 Be prepared to share these with the class and have
these posted throughout the room or in the Ag
hallway.
Everyone has the potential to develop their
personal leadership abilities, since leadership is
a process. The best way to learn leadership is to
role play situations where you can experience
leadership in action. It is critical to your
development in becoming an effective leader
that you study, analyze yourself, develop, learn,
and follow a plan.
Objective #7
Describe the four styles of
communication.
I am going to read off the following list of names. As you
hear their names, visualize each of these people.
Oprah Winfrey
Rosie O’Donnell
President Obama
Eddie Murphy
Dan Rather
Each of these people are effective communicators, but
each has a very different communication style.
In your notes…
Let’s take a look at each style of communication.
Which style do you think represents…
Oprah
Dan Rather
Rosie O’Donnell
Eddie Murphy
Which style of communication do you have?
I am going to read a list of personalities. As I read each, identify which type of
communication that person exemplifies. Also, think about how you would adapt
your communication to work more effectively with the person in the scenario.
Nancy is a nurse. She is kind hearted, friendly, and easy going. Her patients really
like her because she has a soothing effect on them.
Relater
Norm is an Army general. He gets the job done. When he gives orders, his officers
act immediately.
Director
Bill is a computer genius. He owns his own computer software company. He is
rather quiet, but he requires a great deal from his employees.
Thinker
Rob is a public relations specialist for an agribusiness firm. People enjoy being
around him because he has an infectious personality and is always full of energy.
Socializer
Shirley is a school guidance councelor. Susan really likes her because she always
makes time to speak with her.
Relater
Susan is the State FFA President. Chapters love to invite her to their meetings and
activities because she is so outgoing and enthusiastic.
Socializer
Objective #8
Plan and gather information for a prepared
speech.
ACTIVITY!
TODAY you are going to give a speech on the topic,
“The Effects of Foot and Mouth Disease on Livestock
Producers in Europe”
You will begin presenting in 5 minutes!
Just kidding 
1. Choose A Topic
The first step in preparing a speech is selecting a topic.
 Choose a topic that interests you! Otherwise, the speech will be more
difficult to write and you will become bored. If you are bored, your
audience will be bored!
 Choose a topic which you are knowledgeable about or would like to
become knowledgeable about. When presenting a speech, you must have
as much knowledge as possible so that your audience in attentive and you
can answer questions.
 Choose a topic that interests your audience.
In your notes, brainstorm 3 possible topics for an agriculture related speech.
2. Gather information
 Find CURRENT information.
 Possible sources:







Books and magazines
Breed association publications
Trade and business magazines
Organizations and expert interviews
News articles
Government officials and their aides
Films/documentaries
3. Record ideas and info
 Prepare notecards for each resource:
 Info gathered should include the name of the source,
page number, date published/interviewed, author
 Quotations and statistics should only be used when
needed to make a point
Objective #9
Write a prepared speech
There is one vital step between research of a topic and the
delivery of the speech – writing the speech. Because you are
presenting a “prepared” speech, the manuscript is very
important. It helps you:
1. Recognize the speechs strengths and weaknesses
2. Helps you organize and develop ideas
3. Helps you evaluate grammar
4. Gives you security if you become nervous and forget your
speech
5. Helps you stick to a consistent timeline
1. Outline
 Using your note cards, develop an outline for you
speech using the sentence outline style.
 Speeches should be 3-5 minutes long.
2. Manuscript
1.
Body
 Focus on main points
 Choose words carefully
 Always use proper English and grammar
2. Introduction
 Attention grabber!
 State purpose
3. Conclusion
 Remind audience of content
 Reinforce ideas
 Leave an impression
Objective #10
Deliver a prepared speech
Let’s watch a short video…
YouTube
What made Rick Grisby a good
speaker?
1. Practice!
 The first step in delivering a good speech is PRACTICE!
 Practice by yourself in front of a mirror. Although it may be
awkward, this will help you become more comfortable with
the delivery of the speech and with movement. Watch for
things you wouldn’t normally do, especially nervous habits.
 Practice in front of people to build confidence.
 Practice where you will present. This helps you become
more comfortable with your surroundings beforehand.
 Record and analyze yourself. This will help you identify your
strengths and weaknesses, and eliminate bad habits.
2. Memorization is essential
Have you ever heard the saying, “Practice how you
play”?
 Reciting a speech over and over is not efficient
practice. Once you think you have your speech
memorized, you get nervous and forget!
 You MUST practice like you will present!
3. Question & Answer Session
At the end of the FFA Prepared Speech contests and in
many public speaking forums, there is a question and
answer session.
In the CDE, the Q&A lasts 5 minutes. Your responses
should be long enough that you answer 3-5 questions
within those 5 minutes.
Let’s practice!