There are tons of ways to gauge the personalities in your group. There are online surveys, strength analysis, personality typing, or there are the simple team bonding exercises. Understanding how personalities interact is the first step in building the team and in building a good set of goals. If you’re not trained in building these group dynamics, consider bringing in help. In any situation, the intentional process of building the mission and goals is a crucial first step in leadership process. It begins in developing the relationships among the group.

Leadership is a relational experience, so, relate. Be intentional in training new leaders. It starts with a simple conversation of purpose and goals. With an intentional, shared direction both the leader and followers can be clear in the path ahead.

Define the role.

What are the expectations of your leadership role? Who sets them? What’s the purpose of your position? Who are you leading?

Believe it or not, we often don’t sit down and have these intentional, basic conversations with new leaders. Their view of their role is often not agreed upon with their superiors and assumed by their followers. Sculpting a new leader’s experience is crucial as small successes will breed confidence and quick failures will only frustrate the follower and the leader. So, sit down and talk. Set goals, behavioral expectations, values and outcomes for the leader and help the leader understand how they need to do the same with those they lead.

Defining the purpose of your organization and establishing goals is the heart of great relational leaders. Over time this process has changed. In American history the collaborative approach has been shaped for centuries, but it isn’t for everybody. Some people will simply want direction from a leader. So, consider your followers in this process. Are they a part of defining the goals? Are your goals a shared vision or just your personal view of success?

Creating shared goals is a process, and I’m always astonished at this process in any organization. Often, how the mission and goals are established is a barometer of the experience to come in the group. Believe it or not, the intentional conversation over these topics will set the tone for the entire experience. How will you sculpt the goals conversation? What are the personalities involved? What do they need in leading this conversation?

My leadership experience began in marching band. In fact, leadership styles are often compared to the performing arts. Today, in my role as a college leadership instructor, I still look back to those experiences in high school as a learning lab. If you’re a section leader, drum major or “first chair,” you’re learning leadership!

Consider leadership like a conductor – a person who starts the process, keeps the pace, cues the right players. Then again, leadership could be more like a jazz ensemble – a small group that looks to one person to start things off and everyone contributes their talents together and sometimes individually. The art of leadership is just that… an art.

In today’s society, leadership is mystical and sometimes conflictive position. Americans hold their leaders to high, sometimes unattainable standards. Defining the role can often be the problem. If you’re a high school student trying to learn to be a good leader, the challenge can be daunting and yet rewarding. Our students are confused, disillusioned and sometimes down right frustrated by the leadership experience. So, let’s start with some basics.

What does my profile look like?

Your profile is like your online resume.  This is what is used to market you to positions that you apply to using our service.  We use this to create a warm handshake between you and the administrator that has opened the job with us.  Make sure to inclued your resume, a complete bio, and references to be called.

I have a friend that just got their couple of first teaching gigs.  I believe my friend has found something new and wants to make the most out of it.  Growing a program was way more than i ever considered when I started teaching.  I told him being patient and taking your steps is what a lot of that experience is especially when it's new.  What would you tell someone raising a program for the first time and they want to make a career choice out of it?

What kind of attire does the staff in your program wear to shows during marching band season?

It is important for a band to have a handbook to effectively commiciate the rules and protocals of the program.  Here is what i believe is a good example.  What are you thoughts?

Arapahoe_HS_Marching_Handbook.pdf (96.33 kb)