Getting Oriented: Choosing a Youth Leadership Curriculum

Getting Oriented: Choosing a Youth Leadership Curriculum

Leadership development curricula come in many different shapes and sizes, and meet different development needs of the targeted youth.  It is often helpful to focus a leadership program around an organizing principle or theme, such as character traits of leaders or skills leaders need to develop.  The following are examples of three different organizing themes for leadership curricula: character traits, skills to develop, and arenas of competency.

Curriculum Type I: Character Traits

Curriculum of this type might be explicitly faith-based or secular, with an emphasis on character development as part of good citizenship. This type of curriculum is organized around essential character qualities of a leader, such as:         

·Creativity                                                                                

·Commitment

·Confidence                                                                                        

·Sense of Humor

·Discipline                                          

·Honesty                                                      

·Organization

·Ability to lead change

·Optimism

·Perseverance

·Risk-Taking

·Courage

·Understanding

·Vision

·Integrity

Example: Becoming a Mentshby the Jewish Institute for Youth and Family

Curriculum Type II: Skills to Develop

This type of curriculum emphasizes the different skill sets leaders need to develop, such as:

Personal Skills (Such curriculum might include lessons, for example, on goal setting, problem solving, self reflection)

SocialSkills (Here the emphasis is on those skills that enhance collaboration, community, "teaming."  The lessons might focus on topics such as communication, conflict resolution, public speaking)

Educational/Vocational Skills (getting into college, career planning, learning style)

Economic Development Skills(budgeting, saving, entrepreneurship)

Political Skills (defining politics, learning how to get involved)

Examples: The Student Leadership Training Manual by Dennis "Tiger" McLuen and Chuck Wysong, Leadership 101 by Mariam MacGregor

Curriculum Type III: Competency Arenas

This type of curriculum would focus on different aspects or arenas of leadership, such as:

Knowledge(concept or philosophy of leadership)

Skills and Sensitivities(ability to lead)

Experience (application and practice of leadership)

Example: Youth Leadership Development Workbook by New Light Leadership Coalition

Sources: Youth Leadership Development Workbook, a guide for emerging young leaders by New Light Leadership Coalition, 2001-2003; Designing Youth Leadership Programs by Mariam MacGregor, Youthleadership.com, 2^nd edition, 2001; and  Leadership 101: Developing Leadership Skills for Resilient Youth, Facilitator's Guide by Mariam MacGregor, Youthleadership.com, 2000.