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ERIC Number: ED327902
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1990-Nov
Pages: 27
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Student Leadership in Forensic Programs.
Kiser, Stephen D.
Competitive forensic teams should turn to their students for leadership. Such an approach gives students valuable experience in handling responsibility, while relieving school administrators of some of the tasks involved in debate competition. Since forensic students are intelligent and highly ambitious, they should be leaders of debate programs, not just competitors. The appropriate leadership paradigm is a situational one. A leader must understand the situation he or she is in, recognize the personalities involved, and adapt his or her leadership style accordingly. In addition, a leader must view a situation through the eyes of a follower, and understand what motivates a follower to perform. Communication between leaders and followers is essential. In the debate setting, the leader must recognize the goal of participation in speech competitions. More specific team goals must be prioritized. The leader must be able to act as manager, rationally assessing situations and allocating resources to achieve goals. Even as a follower, the future leader can learn group personalities and can learn about problem-solving. Good communication promotes clarity of policy and action, and improves preparation. The forensic program is an outstanding opportunity to develop leadership skills that can someday make students great. (SG)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A