Topic 1.8.1 Learning to Lead
LEARNING TO LEAD
Start Up
What do you think of these statements?
- Great leaders are born not made.
- Nobody really agrees about what the characteristics of a great leader are.
- Being a leader is different from being a manager.
Vocabulary – Leader characteristics
- Discuss with a partner if you have made the same choices.
- Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
- Which ones might others use to describe you?
Video
You are going to watch a video about a TV show called Safari Vet School. What do you think you will see based on that title?
Watch the video again and decide if these sentences are true or false.
Work in pairs or small groups.
Discuss these questions.
- In what ways do you think Nadia will be a good leader? How might she become a bad leader?
- Do you agree with Steve that Nadia needed to consult her team more during the task? Why / Why not?
- In what situations is it better for a leader to ask their team questions? In what situations should a leader take control?
- Would you watch Safari Vet School? To what extent is it entertainment and to what extent is it educational? Which do you prefer?
Pronunciation: Glottal stops
The sound /t/ is sometimes replaced by a glottal stop, in which the air is stopped in the throat. Some regional accents of English, and some individual speakers, use glottal stops more than others.
Listen to the exchange, first with /t/ and then with a glottal stop.
A: When are we going to start?
B: Straightaway.
Listen where /t/ is replaced by a glottal stop.
Great leaders are born not made.
Nobody really agrees about what the characteristics of a great leader are.
We forgot the whole point was just to start the truck.
Work in pairs. Take turns to say the sentences using either /t/ or a glottal stop. Tell your partner which of the sounds you heard.
Vocabulary: Leadership
Discussion
- Do you find it easy to cope with stress? How do you cope with it?
- How can managers best give support to their staff ?
- What should a manager do when staff make mistakes?
- In what ways can a manager set an example for the tea
- What can happen when managers and staff don’t trust each other?
Project: Great Leaders
Work in pairs or small groups. Research a great leader. Follow these steps.
Individually think about leaders from two or three of the areas in the box.
business entertainment sports your family your friends your organisation your community |
- Try to define what makes them good leaders.
- Talk to your partner/group about one person and why he/she is a good leader.
- Who do you think are the best leaders from the people you talked about?
Homework
Research the biography and key qualities of one of the people you discussed. Write a short article of 100–120 words about that person, saying why you admire him/her.