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Different Kinds of Leaders

Meets leaders from the classroom to the country, such as class reps, mayors and the prime minister.

  • Define and explain Different Kinds of Leaders in your own words
  • Use key terms such as decision accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Different Kinds of Leaders: meets leaders from the classroom to the country, such as class reps, mayors and the prime minister.

Definition: Different Kinds of Leaders

Meets leaders from the classroom to the country, such as class reps, mayors and the prime minister.

Key ideas

Leaders come in many sizes

Leadership exists at every level of life. A class rep speaks for thirty pupils, a mayor looks after a town or city, and a prime minister leads the whole country. Each leader has different responsibilities, but all of them are trusted to make fair choices for the people they serve.

What leaders do

Leaders make plans, solve disagreements and look after the people they lead. A headteacher organises the school, a team captain encourages players during a match, and a prime minister leads the country's government. Good leaders also listen, because decisions work best when they reflect what the group needs.

Key term — decision: A decision is a choice made after thinking about the options — leaders often make decisions that affect many people at once.

Worked example: Different Kinds of Leaders

A mayor and a prime minister both lead. How are their jobs different?

A mayor looks after one town or city, while a prime minister leads the whole country.

Answer: A mayor looks after one town or city, while a prime minister leads the whole country.

Common mistakes
  • 'The loudest person should lead' Being loud is not the same as being a good leader. The best leaders listen carefully and think before they act.
  • 'Leaders get to do whatever they want' Real leaders serve the group, not themselves. A leader who only does what they want is not leading well.

Practice

Name one leader from your school and one leader from your country.
Think small, then big.

For example, a school council member and the prime minister.

Your class must choose between two playground games. How could a leader help?
Think about listening and deciding.

The leader could listen to both sides and organise a fair vote.

Which is a better quality in a leader: honesty or bossiness? Why?
Which one builds trust?

Honesty, because leaders need people to trust them.

What is the main job of a leader?
Think about decisions and responsibility.

To guide a group, make decisions for it and take responsibility.

Quick check

Different Kinds of Leaders — quick check

Which of these best defines "decision"?

A decision is a choice made after thinking about the options — leaders often make decisions that affect many people at once.

Why is voting a fair way to choose a leader?

Because everyone gets an equal say through one vote each.
Key takeaways
  • Different Kinds of Leaders: meets leaders from the classroom to the country, such as class reps, mayors and the prime minister.
  • Leaders come in many sizes: Leadership exists at every level of life.
  • represent: To represent people means to speak and act on their behalf, the way a school council member represents their class.
  • Watch out for: 'The loudest person should lead'
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