The Leader in MeWelcome to The Leader in Me.

An essential component of the school’s The Leader in Me Program, is teaching the students all about the 7 Habits. This is done on a regular basis through our Peer Support Groups and through teaching in the classroom. The aim is to further develop their understanding of each habit and how to put it into practice in their own lives. What is a leader?In the dictionary, to lead means “to direct, to guide by influence.”Leaders get along well with others, are responsible, appreciate people’s differences, and are problem solvers and creative thinkers. Being a leader is finding and using your own strengths and helping other people find theirs. Who can be a leader?Everyone has the power to be a leader - Each person has unique strengths and can make a contribution in and out of school by sharing those strengths. Being a leader is not about being popular or holding a position; it’s about using your strengths and encouraging others to use theirs. Why learn the 7 Habits?The 7 Habits are the road map to becoming a leader. The habits are life skills that you can use on the playground, in sports, with friends, at school, and at home. Each of the 7 Habits will help you today, tomorrow, and when you are an adult. The “Parent’s Place” is available at www.TheLeaderInMe.org. You will find ideas to use at home involving the family and reinforcing your child’s learning in a fun, interactive way.

Habit 1: Be Proactive· I am a responsible person. That means I can be trusted by other people.· I take initiative, That means I can decide what the right thing to do is without being told. · I choose my actions, attitudes and feelings.· I don’t blame others when I do the wrong thing.· I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind· I plan ahead and set goals for myself.· I think about what I want to happen and then try to make it.· I am an important part of my school and help to achieve our class and school mission.

Habit 3: Put First Things First· I spend time on the things that are important.· I think about what is important and use this to help me make a plan. · I am organised. That means I get things done in the time I have.· I get jobs done.  

 

Habit 4: Think Win-Win· I stop and think when a problem happens.· I try to think of ways to solve problems that are win for me and the other person.· I speak out thoughtfully about what I would like so we can make a win-win decisions. If the other person doesn't know what I would like to happen then they can’t think about my ideas and feelings. Habit 5:Seek First to Understand, Then be Understood

· I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings.· I try to see things from other people’s viewpoints. That means I imagine how they are feeling and try to understand it.· I listen with my ears, That means I use my ears to hear what they are telling me.· I listen with my eyes. That means I look and see what their body shape is telling me.· I listen with my heart. That means I think about what feelings I can hear in the sound of their voice.· I am confident in speaking about my ideas.

Habit 6: Synergize

I think other people’s talents are important and try to learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different from me. I work well in a group. I try to get others to share their ideas. This is because I know that together we can come up with a better idea than anyone of us could have alone.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw I look after my body. That means I eat healthily, exercise and get enough sleep. I look after my mind. That means I learn in lots of places, not just at school. I look after my heart. That means I spend time with my family and friends doing things that make me happy. I look after my personality and character. That means the bits that make me, me! I take time to do the things that are important to me and that I enjoy. I try to balance looking after my body, mind, heart and personality to make sure they are all looked after!

 

 

Here are a few tips to ensure your success:

Go at the Right Pace

1. You are so busy! So the first tip is to look for ways to work the principles into what you are already doing. Think of it not as one more thing to do, but as a better way of doing what you are already doing.

2. Are there things you are doing now that you could replace with more important activities? TV watching is the first thing that comes to mind, but there may be others. We're not saying TV is all bad, but too much TV can be a waste of time.

3. Go at a pace that works for you. You can plunge in all at once or work at it slowly, little by little. Either way, you will see improvements as you reap the benefits of living by timeless and universal principles as a family.

Keep It Simple

Applying the principles at home will make your home life easier and happier. The key is to keep the focus simple and simply keep the focus. There are three things you can do to prepare your child for the new reality.First: help your child become more responsible and independent through Habits 1, 2, and 3.Second: focus on helping your child become more interdependent through Habits 4, 5, and 6.And third: focus on teaching and rewarding primary greatness, which is based on character and contribution, not on secondary greatness (awards, wealth, or fame).

Learn More About the 7 Habits

The best way to learn more about the 7 Habits is to read or listen to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, or attend a 7 Habits training workshop. Go to FranklinCovey.com for information about classes in your area. Completing the exercises in this guidebook will help teach you the habits, and you can also go to www.TheLeaderInMe.org for even more ideas for parents and teachers, and for how to sponsor a school.