Guide for Youth

Defining Community Leadership Roles

Mentor

Are you a mentor leader, or a boss leader?  As a mentor, you are a catalyst; that is someone who gets things started and keeps them moving.  A mentor will encourage new ideas and perspectives by inspiring the members of your group to address issues and consider alternatives.  As a mentor, you purpose is to draw out the best in each member of your group.  You don’t have to lead the group to consensus or a certain result.  A mentor will encourage communication and the exchange of ideas in a thoughtful manner.  You will keep the shared vision of your group alive by encouraging each individual in your group to thoughtfully participate in discussions and activities.

Coach

coach (kõch) n. 1. A person who trains and directs individuals or teams. 1b. One who gives instruction. 2. One who prepares others, who enables and inspires others.

ath·let·ic (ãth-lêt’ik) n. The principles or system of training and practice for activities that requires physical skill and stamina.

team (tëm) n. 1. A group on the same side. 2. A group organized to work together.

Servant-Leader

The servant-leader is a servant first, leader second.  Do you have a natural feeling that you want to serve others?   A servant-leader serves others, and then, as the course of time happens, becomes a leader.  The difference between a regular leader and a servant-leader comes from the care taken by the servant to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served.  

For All Leaders…

The best test is: do those served grow as persons?  Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to serve others?  And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit from the service of the leaders, or at least not be further deprived of what they need?

Write a definition for the kind of leader you are: