CHV20 Unit 1: Lesson 4 – Are you Civic Minded?
Overview
In this activity, you will start by exploring different leadership styles,
including your own. You will learn that you are a leader in the everyday
actions you take, by completing an inventory in which you think about
the ways you have already contributed to your various communities
through civic actions. You'll watch a short video and then reflect on the
real meaning of leadership. You'll discuss these concepts with your
classmates, and then complete a reflection on being “civic-minded.”
Learning Goals
By the end of this activity, you will be able to:
 know what it means to be civic minded;
 identify actions that you have taken that indicate your civic
contributions; and
 understand why you contributed to the action and its importance.
Success Criteria
I can successfully:
 identify what civic actions I have taken; and
 say why I chose to do what I did and the difference it made.
Content
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those
who empower others”.
Bill Gates
We learn how to be leaders.
The ironic thing about leadership is that,
sometimes, good leaders also know when to
follow. They let others take direction and
responsibility. Sound complicated? Well, like
time management and organizational skills,
leadership can be practiced and leadership skills
can be learned. Leaders are not born to take
over positions of power and influence; rather,
they are made and developed through study and
application, trial and error. Some may be born
with innate leadership characteristics - aboveaverage height, a good speaking voice, and an
engaging personality; however, unless they take
time to develop their natural gifts, other people
will not identify them as leaders.
Although there are many styles of leadership, this activity will focus on
three: Autocratic, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire.
The characteristics of each of the three leadership styles are extreme, and most
leaders will employ different amounts of each style. Effective leaders should be
able to employ all three styles depending on the situation facing them and their
group.
Instructions:
Please watch the three short videos on leadership styles on the CHV20 lesson 4
page. After you have watched the videos, please read over the document titled:
Leadership Styles.
**ASK YOUR TEACHER FOR THE LEADERSHIP STYLE SURVEY**
Assignment 1
You have just been exploring leadership styles, including a survey to analyse
your own style. However, sometimes when we look at leaders or civic role
models - especially famous ones - there's a tendency to feel inadequate.
Looking at all their great accomplishments can be as overwhelming as it is
inspiring.
Chances are, you've participated in your community in some way, too. You may
have contributed to a political cause or civic issue without really appreciating the
significance of your contribution. It's time to give yourself credit for the things
you've already done and to reflect on what you'd like to do next.
First, complete the civic action inventory your teacher gave you to see that many
of the things you've done actually qualify as civic actions.
Assignment 2
When you're finished, watch the video by Drew Dudley: Everyday Leadership. It's
about re-defining the word “leadership.” It suggests that we should give ourselves
credit for all the small, everyday things we do that make us leaders. The video is
on a website called TED.com, and if you've never visited it before, be careful.
The site is packed with thousands of fascinating, inspiring, and jaw-dropping
videos that could sidetrack you for hours!
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR2UnsOuKxo
Answer these Questions:
1. What does Drew Dudley mean when he talks about "lollipop moments?"
2. Have you had a lollipop moment in your own life?
3. Is there someone who has had a significant impact on your life that you
have yet to thank? What's stopping you?
4. What are some small, everyday things that you can do that may have a
far-reaching impact on those with whom you interact?
5. What do you think about Drew's way of defining leadership? What are
the implications of looking at leadership in this way?