Let’s Talk Dirty

Politics?

Good qualities are what you look for when choosing a good student leader. As the student council elections approach and the candidates begin their campaign, here are a few things you should look for in the contenders that you choose to represent you on the Student Council.

Positivity

The leaders that you choose should believe that whatever goal has been set can be accomplished, even if said goal is a bit difficult and may take time. Their positivity should be inspirational to students and staff alike.

Hardworking

Hardworking student leaders inspire and push their classmates to do more. Look for the students that you see working hard, and let them know they are showing signs of being a good leader. If they are hardworking in the classroom then they’ll work hard for you as your council.

In service of others

The students who demonstrate strong leadership skills when they want what is best for others, and are willing to go out of their way to help their peers and communities are the ones who are definitely excellent leaders. In a classroom setting, this is best seen through acts of kindness or selflessness.

A good listener

An important leadership skill is genuinely caring about and listening to the thoughts and concerns of others. Leading others must come from a desire to help. When students practice this skill in group work, they’re not only listening carefully to other students’ concerns, they’re also being more receptive of feedback and are willing to compromise.

A good decision-maker

Students who exhibit great leadership when they evaluate a given situation and come to a well-reasoned conclusion about the best course of action are who you want on your council. Ultimately, good decision-making comes from a sense of responsibility, a good understanding of the problem, and the ability to think under pressure.

A good communicator

Another important student leadership quality is communication because student council members will have to communicate their ideas to the rest of the council and the student body. If students have an idea of how things should be done, they take on the role of being a good leader when they make their suggestions known in an open and respectful manner.

Encouraging

Part of being an effective leader is recognizing that everyone comes with different backgrounds and experiences. A strong leader will support and use the strengths of the council members, while also trying to assist when others are struggling.

Responsible

If something goes wrong, student leaders do not pass the blame or make excuses but take responsibility for their part. Then, they learn from it, do what’s needed to correct what went wrong, and keep moving forward. When things go right, the most effective leaders are humble and recognize the efforts of their group and not just their own.

If you keep these guidelines in mind you’ll choose the BEST leaders for your student council.