Most leaders need to have good character traits to lead effectively. Implement a "character word of the month," such as "respect" or "integrity." Each week, plan a new activity based on the current month's word. For instance, you could ask that students create a PowerPoint presentation that talks about leaders who have the word's quality. Or have students create skits that demonstrate the word in action.
Leaders have to know how to deal with ethical dilemmas and they need to do the right thing when others do not. Divide the class into groups of four. Create a series of ethical dilemmas and assign one to each group. Some dilemmas could include what to do about cyber bullying or how to help a handicapped student whom others tease. Have each group create a skit that details how they would show leadership in the situation and how they would handle the ethical dilemma. After all the groups have presented their skits, have students discuss what they have learned and how they can apply those principles in their lives.
Students can learn a lot about leadership by focusing on historical leaders and their traits. Have students choose a historical figure whom they admire. Ask them to determine which qualities he had that made him a great leader. Have them compare the leader to themselves. What qualities in themselves could they improve on? Do they have any leadership qualities? If so, what are they and how can they use them? Have students write an essay describing the leaders they've chosen and make personal comparisons.
There are many types of leaders and everyone has a different leadership style. Tell all of the students that they are leaders and ask them what qualities they have that make them leaders. Have them draw self-portraits and write their leadership qualities around the pictures. Display the drawings and have a class discussion so that students can talk about how their qualities may differ from those of someone else. If time allows, students can also describe the positive qualities they see in each other.