JUMP Leadership Weekend

Obelisk Game

On August 30th and 31st I was given the opportunity to undergo a leadership course at ISK with JUMP. This course was designed for the club leaders of the 2014-2015 school year, telling us what qualities we should promote and follow within clubs, how to set goals and plan our time, and much more. On Saturday we were at school from 8 in the morning to 4 in the evening, and on Sunday we attended from 8-12. 

The two days of this program consisted of a number of leadership games, goal setting, and a review of our personal challenges and goals. We started out with a look at growth mountain, and were asked to place ourselves on the scale given a number of scenarios. I think that we were all somewhat surprised by where we, and our peers, placed ourselves, and were able to gain a self awareness and understanding.  We were also told about the five aims every leader should have, and set goals for the course based on them. The goals were as follows: 

1. Challenge the process

2. Enable others to act

3. Inspire a shared vision

4. Encourage the heart

5. Model the way

I felt that I was lacking in challenging the process (tending to stick to the same activities as other clubs and being rather dull in what I plan), and that I am better at modelling the way. I feel that my commitment and passion is what I look for in members. 

Round Square Goal

Some of the games we did were the cinnamon bun challenge (this was my personal favourite, consisting of all people holding hands and coiling into a big cinnamon bun hug), a traffic light game (in which we had to swap directions in a line while sticking to a set of rules regarding movement), a box game (we had a minute to observe the contents of a box and then replicate it as a group), and so on and so forth. We also watched a Planet Earth movie, showing a wild dog hunt and the migration of a group of elephants, that served as a symbol for leadership. The cohesive nature of the wild dog pack, and the loyalty and steadfast qualities of the elephants allowed us all to understand what's required of us in a group. At the end of the course we had to identify what our spirit animal (in terms of leadership) was, and I chose an elephant. Elephants, at least the ones in the movie, were trusting, loyal, supportive and effective in working as a group. I don't want to be too forceful in my role, instead acting as a guide and a friend to club members. 

We analyse the movie

Our goal setting (including SMART goals and GRRAPES) entailed the various leaders of clubs getting together and planning out where they were going for the year. Unfortunately, ARTSCO was a smaller club and I instead helped out with the planning of NHS and Round Square. This was very useful and i think that we all gained new insight through this experience.

We ended the course with reflections and a formation of a back pocket of leadership tactics. I found this course very educational and important, it definitely allowed me to gain a new perspective on what it means to be a leader within the community. I feel that I am more confident and sure of myself after undergoing this training, and I am extremely excited about the year ahead. I know that my role as a leader will help to me to excel in all other aspects and fields of life, and I look forward to the challenges that it brings.