Qualities of Leadership and Character

- from the National Honor Society Handbook

LEADERSHIP

The General Quality of Leadership:

• Is creative in solving problems, applying ideals, and making suggestions
• Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities and events
• Contributes suggestions that improve the civic aspect of school
• Inspires positive behavior in fellow students and encourages peers to uphold school ideals
• Is thoroughly dependable, reliable, and efficient in all tasks undertaken
• Demonstrates academic initiative
• Is able to delegate tasks and responsibility to others
• Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school and community activities

Leadership in the Classroom:

• Leaders model appropriate behavior for others in class
• Leaders focus on achieving academically and participating in class on a regular basis
• Leaders often direct class discussion and answer sessions
• Other class members will look to leaders when they are lost or unsure of what they are doing
• Leaders make sure that all members of a group have shared in the workload
• Leaders care about the quality of their classwork and diligently pursue excellence
• Leaders consistently do homework and all other tasks assigned by the teacher
• Leaders constantly apply themselves to the material
• Leaders take it upon themselves to help others achieve along with them
• Leaders actively seek to make up work rather than having the teacher tell them what must be completed
• Leaders seek to constructively resolve problems among peers

CHARACTER

The Quality of Character:

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
• Upholds principles of morality and ethics
• Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
• Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
• Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside of the classroom
• Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
• Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
• Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment
• Demonstrates the six general qualities of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship