What exactly is a "leadership" program?

[kenpo4life]

and what do they consist of? I have heard of it a ton of times, but I really dont know what it consists of. Can anyone help a Martial Arts brother out here?

[Lupin1]

I've seen everything from it just being an extra karate class (with an extra fee) to an entire curriculum of leadership skills with philosophy, communication skills, problem solving, role playing, teamwork challenges, mentoring, etc.

I think the latter would be a great program for kids who aren't getting that sort of thing elsewhere. I did a similar curriculum when I took JROTC in high school and those skills have been very helpful in the working world.

I think the schools who just use it as a revenue booster give the entire concept a bad name, unfortunately.

[ninjanurse]

In my experience most Leadership Programs are just another revenue generating scheme-teaching "special skills" and giving "special privledges" to students who join.

To me, a leadership should be taught to all students (its part of budo)and those who are interested in becoming instructors in the future or just want to assist in classes should be given the opportunity. I don't charge extra, I give them free training, and in exchange for their assistance they get extra classes.

[sensei8]

Imho,

Leadership programs should teach moral expectations to its students!! The moral fiber of the students should be strengthened daily by all, not just the CI, even though, the CI's mentoring of its student body is their responsibility. This is to include the teaching of sound integrity. Without integrity, sound leadership can't exist; only anarchy. Say what you mean, and mean what you say this, imho, should be at the core of any leadership program!!

However, that leadership program shouldn't be a program at all! No! That value should be taught everyday at every class to every student, no matter age or rank or tenure or position...no matter what!!

[MatsuShinshii]

Imho,

Leadership programs should teach moral expectations to its students!! The moral fiber of the students should be strengthened daily by all, not just the CI, even though, the CI's mentoring of its student body is their responsibility. This is to include the teaching of sound integrity. Without integrity, sound leadership can't exist; only anarchy. Say what you mean, and mean what you say this, imho, should be at the core of any leadership program!!

However, that leadership program shouldn't be a program at all! No! That value should be taught everyday at every class to every student, no matter age or rank or tenure or position...no matter what!!

Well said and I could agree more.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Leadership programmes are usually intended to teach candidates how to lead others by example. In a martial arts context it is probably a way to teach aspiring instructors effective ways of teaching and managing a group of students as well as other useful ideas of how to help others learn.

[el-peligroso]

"Leadership Programs" are just another way to generate revenue for school owners and to have higher coloured belts teaching classes so the head instructor can relax in his office.

[kenpo4life]

wow peligroso, that sounds like it hit close to home

I thought that it was just another money grab for school owners. Maybe some schools are trying to groom the next group of instructors, but I dont know.

[sensei8]

I completely understand that the bottom line of any P&L has to be meet daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly for said school to succeed, however, at what costs? It's not always about the revenue, and how much can be generated by what's offered to ones student body; those costs are tangible!! But no program, imho, is worth the damaged integrity of said school; that can be a cost that can't be recovered at any length.

Teach Leadership FREE because it shouldn't cost anything to teach and/or learn that which is important to every student. Imagine if parents charged their own children to learn anything of value, and if the children don't pay for the lessons, they'll not learn that which should be free.