Leading the Charge in to the 7th Week

This week in class, Thao and Darcy taught a spectacular lesson on groups. As a demonstration, they had all of us stand on a blanket and try to flip it over while still standing on it. I thought it was going to be difficult, but luckily, this was a group experiment, and we managed to pull it off due to Rachel and Amy’s experience and the directions of several group members. While this week’s lesson was about groups, I couldn’t help but notice that we peer mentors are working well as a group. I think this will lead to some great experiences in the future. In addition, Silas and Allie prepared two really great activities this week. One of them was an obstacle course that we had to perform blindfolded while a partner guided us. I was partnered with Megan, and I found it was rather difficult. Megan had an advantage because she saw the course layout before she was blindfolded. Still, it was a challenge for her as well. I think this is a handy lesson for next semester. Even with experience, if we do not know what our fellow peer mentor is doing, we will be confused. The other activity that Allie and Silas prepared was a fun game of (sort of) Pictionary. It was a fun icebreaker, and I hope to use it next semester if possible.

For this week, we had to read Chapter 7 in Students Helping Students. This chapter was all about leading groups. One thing I found interesting about the chapter was the term “Zeitgeist” which pointed out that leadership was dependent on circumstances. I believe this is true as I may become a leader at the right time in one situation, but I may refrain from taking on the leadership role in another situation. While this is a good idea, there are others, but the book reminds us that peer mentors must examine the characteristics of leadership in order to take on the leadership role.  Such characteristics are model behavior, getting members involved, and recognition and rewarding. In terms of model behavior, a leader tends to take on principles and values that they want the group to follow. In terms of getting members involved, a leader must make sure everyone is involved, but must also make sure the group can say that they were independent. A leader must also remember that some members may not want to be involved due to personality reasons or a lack of interest, and they must take steps to fix this. Whenever I am in a group, I make sure to encourage everyone to become involved, so they can do their fair share while making sure that they can feel like they accomplished something with the project. Finally, in terms of recognition and rewarding, leaders practice reinforcement and celebrate when the group has accomplished a goal. Next semester, I hope to take on a co-leader role with the other peer mentor that I am partnered with as we lead the recitation. I have acted as a leader before, but now that I know of these traits and steps I can take to reinforcing effectiveness as a leader, I feel that I will become an even better leader and help the new Hixson who enter in the fall.