Life Skills and Leadership Manual - Peace Corps

Life Skills & Leadership: Unit 4, Session 2: Team Leadership | Page 19 of 91

Instructional Sequence

I. Motivation ( 10 minutes)
Materials:
(None)

A. What’s Your Opinion?

Participants share their initial understanding of the roles of individuals in a team setting.

1. Introduce the topic for the day. Say:

“Last time we learned about the qualities of leaders and the ways they might use those qualities

differently in various situations. You picked quotations by leaders that you liked and you talked

about why you liked them. We also talked about times or situations when a leader might need to be

more direct and tell people exactly what to do. And there are other times a leader would want to be

less direct and just make suggestions about what people should do.

“Today we are going to learn more about leadership and also about how followers react to their

leaders. I’d like to begin by gaining an understanding of the opinions you have already about

leading and following. I will ask you several questions. If you agree, I’d like you to stand, raise your

hand, and shout ‘Yes!’ Since I am asking you to share your opinion, there will not be any right or

wrong answers. You may be the only one standing or sitting for a particular question and that’s just

fine. Whatever you think is right for you.

“Here’s your first question: ‘Are you ready to play this game?’”

2. Have everyone stand and say “Yes!” to generate enthusiasm and practice the type of response
   you’d like. Then make each of the following statements, pausing between each to give participants
   a chance to stand or remain seated.

Note: This activity is intended to motivate the participants and introduce some of the topics of the session. It is also

designed to give you, the facilitator, a brief assessment of what participants already know about the roles that

members of a group can play. Use it to gain insight about what to emphasize in the Information, Practice, and

Application sections of the session.

I am usually more comfortable with a leader who takes charge and is in control.

If the leader doesn’t know what to do, the group is doomed.

If a group has a problem or is stuck, the members should wait quietly until the leader makes a

suggestion.

If you have a great idea you should tell people – whether you are the group leader or not.

It’s OK for someone who is not the leader to suggest that the group take a vote to make a

decision.

If you know how to do something that’s good for the group, you should ask the leader before

you do it.