What is the Leader in Me?
When asked “what skills are most important in today’s workforce” common answers among business leaders include: working well with others, innovative, solution oriented and open to feedback. We have implemented the Leader in Me process to support our students in developing those skills along with subject matter knowledge.
Leader in Me is FranklinCovey’s whole-school improvement process based on the idea that everyone can be a leader. This evidence-based approach empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
What are the 7 Habits?
The 7 Habits is one of key frameworks of the Leader in Me model. The 7 Habits help students learn and apply social-emotional skills. Additionally, the 7 Habits give students and staff members a common language and are essential in building a strong leadership culture.
7 Habits for kids:
Habit 1 — Be Proactive
You're in Charge
I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and
moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being
asked, even when no one is looking.
Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
Habit 3 — Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.
Habit 4 — Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.
Habit 6 — Synergize
Together Is Better
I value other people’s strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw
Balance Feels Best
I take care of my body by eating right, exercising and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I find meaningful ways to help others.
WIG/ 4 Disciplines
The 4 Disciplines of Execution is another key framework of the Leader in Me process. This framework helps our school, staff and students, identify, track and achieve Wildly Important Goals (WIGS)
Discipline 1 : Focus on Wildly Important Goal (WIGs)
- 100% of students and staff at Lake Myra Elementary, set goals and achieve them.
Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures
- All students and staff at Lake Myra collaborate with their teacher and family to create action steps that will help them reach their WIG!
Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard
- All students and staff at Lake Myra will monitor their progress towards meeting their goal(s) through the use of a scoreboard or WIG tracker.
Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability
- All students at Lake Myra meet with their teacher, a family member and/or accountability partner regularly to review their progress, modify or change their lead measure or Wigs accordingly, and celebrate both small and big successes!
Research has shown that the simple act of writing a goal greatly increases the chances of accomplishing the goal. If the goal is broken down into action steps and the action steps are tracked, goals have an even greater percentage of success. Students at Lake Myra keep Leadership Notebooks where they write down academic and personal goals and track their goals. Our Leadership Notebooks focus on four main sections: Myself, WIGs, My Learning, Celebrations.
LIM Lesson Guides
Leader in Me Leadership Guides become the vehicle to engage students with leadership principles. As staff and students begin to share a common language and vision, they are each able to contribute to the success of the school’s Leader in Me implementation. Although the lessons in these guides may appear to be solely for the benefit of students, they are not. The lessons are also intended for you! The more you apply the leadership principles, the more effective you will become as an individual and as a role model for colleagues and students. Great people make great schools!
Every year at Lake Myra Elementary School, we host a Leadership Day. This is an amazing day where we open our doors to the community. Students showcase their leadership skills, staff share their successes, and the leadership philosophy driving the culture of the school is tangibly “seen and felt.”
What to expect:
- Student speeches
- Students display projects
- Performances by classrooms and individual students -Tours of school and classrooms LED BY STUDENTS!