Developing leadership skills in students still faces real challenges. Data from Student Dialogue by Teach For Malaysia, year 2019, show, only 39% students who feel they are leaders.

Besides that, 83% Students still think that leadership is only related to position rather than competence. Views like this can prevent individuals from bringing about change.

Strategies for Developing Student Leadership

Industrial Revolution 4.0 requires individuals to have a leadership spirit. Patrick Emifiled, koordinator Student Project Teach For Malaysia explains four strategies for developing it.

Social and Emotional Learning

Even adults sometimes still have difficulty conveying emotions. Same when people ask our advantages, we don't really know how to answer it correctly.

“We need to teach students competencies to better know and understand themselves and others from an early age. How are they more aware about themselves and their surroundings,” explained Patrick when he was a resource person for the international class of the X Archipelago Educators Meeting week on Monday (9/10).

A simple strategy that can be done is to start the day by asking students to describe their feelings at that time using a scale 1-10.

Communication

“Students must be able to communicate effectively. The strategy that educators can do is through think, pair, and share,said Patrick.

Educators need to give students space and time to think first before sharing opinions in front of the class. To increase students' self-confidence, The teacher can also ask other students to give feedback.

“You can share positive comments with each other, example ‘Hey, I like your idea’. It's here pair Work. When students feel confident and ready, then educators can start inviting them to share their thoughts in front of the class,” explained Patrick in the class held by the Learning Teacher Story.

Resilience or Mental Strength

“It is not easy for students to rise from adversity when they face failure. There is a contribution to the deep-rooted culture of Asian parents, how children are expected to be the best and not show it struggle,said Patrick.

This does not give students room to experience facing and processing failure. Teachers should give students opportunities to become vulnerable while trying to deal with the risks.

“A strategy that can be implemented is to invite students to play tongue twister. It was interesting to see each other struggle and make mistakes when saying complicated funny sentences,said Patrick.

Don't laugh at failure, but how do students accept the fact that it is safe and acceptable for them to make mistakes?. The important thing is that they continue to move to face and overcome it.

Entrepreneurship

For entrepreneurship, Patrick explained that the strategy that teachers can use is to assist students in making decisions personal learning goal them.

“Setting goals is very important because it can help to on track in determining student focus and energy. When students know what the goal is, they come to understand that they have to actually make it happen.”

At the end of the session Patrick emphasized that teachers must first believe that their students have potential and are capable of doing great things. Whatever the conditions, challenge, and the conditions they face.

“Don't forget to communicate with students first, what is the message of each game and the strategy used. So that they understand and the goals of developing their competencies can be achieved,” concluded Patrick reminded.

Writer: Dasa Feby
Editor: Yosinta Maharani Here