fandomhigh | Leadership: Thursday, Period 1, Class 2 (9/11/08)

"In last week's class gave us a snapshot of what we'll be covering over the rest of the semester," Nathan said as he passed around the day's handouts. "Good leaders are not mindless leaders. They are leaders who look at the angles and ask the basic questions. Should they be in charge? Why? How?

"Today we're going to start on the how." Nathan moved back to his desk. "As you can see in your handouts, there are different kinds of leadership styles. Some of you showed the styles that you're more comfortable with last week. In today's class I'd like you to pair up and embody these styles. Pick at least one each, and use those styles on each other. The leadership challenge that you're facing is whether or not there should be coffee available for next week's class. Doesn't matter what position you pick. Just use that leadership style to come to a decision and try to implement it.

"Two announcements before you get started," Nathan added. "First, Meg is going to be the TA for this class so if you need any help in that area talk to her. Second, Student Council Elections are coming up. As you can imagine that's pretty closely tied to what we're working on in class. So if anyone here tries out for Student Council, I will give you extra credit." Nathan grinned. "It's not a requirement that you win, only that you try. I have forms up here if anyone needs them."

[ooc: OCD is up!]

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"Hey, Ben," Joan said, pausing for a moment to remember his name from the shuttle ride. "How are you settling in?"

It seemed like half of his family and friends from parallel universes or different time lines were here. Ben went with "Fine," and another smile. "You?"

God had started talking to her again and she was sure that if her family found out anything about this town, she'd be back at crazy camp in no time.

"Great," she said, smiling back.

He lowered his voice. "Could you explain what coffee is?"

Joan bit her lip to keep from laughing. "It's a drink. Usually served hot and made from ground beans. Only not like the vegetable type beans. It's kind of bitter, but tastes a lot better if you add a ton of cream and sugar."

"Ohhh, caf!" Ben said, nodding. "We should definitely have caf in class."

"I agree," Joan said. "But we're supposed to pick one of these leadership styles to try to implement it. Um... you wanna go first?"

"I'm wearing the wrong outfit," Ben said with a smile, glancing down at his black jumpsuit. "Most of the leaders I know shove their hands into the sleeves of their robes before making pronouncements."

He was quiet for a second as he remembered how Jacen got things done. "Very well," he said, voice ringing with new authority, "in order to be able to maximize our efficiency and learn as much as Master Petrelli wants us to, our brains need to be turned on all the way. And for that, we need caf. And you, Joan, will be the first to bring some in next week."

Ben was one hell of a charismatic autocrat.

Joan grinned and gave Ben a little golf clap. "I'm sold," she said.

She took a moment to glance over the sheet and choose a style that she thought she could pull off.

"One of the most important facets of education is a supportive and nurturing learning environment," she said. "In order to make the students feel valued and comfortable, we should provide coffee to present a warm, welcoming feeling that will help them learn more."

Ben smiled. "Couldn't they just bring their own?"

"They could," Joan agreed, "But providing it for them creates a more pleasant environment. And happy students are going to learn more effectively and score higher on exams."

Ben pretended to mull this over. "And we want happy students," he agreed.

"Exactly," Joan said. "Because happy students lead to happy teachers which leads to less detention."

"Which means no one has to work overtime," Ben added. "I'm sold."

Joan grinned. "Awesome. So are you going to run for Student Council?"

He nodded, looking a little shy.

"I am too," Joan said, though there was a reluctant tone in her voice.

"You don't want to?" Ben asked.

Joan shrugged. "I don't know if I'd be any good at it. But I can use the extra credit."

"What's extra credit good for here?" Ben wondered.

"If you mess up on a test or miss a homework assignment or something," Joan said. "Having extra credit will boost your overall grade."

"Oh, grades," Ben said, making a face. "Back home you either understood or you didn't, and if you didn't, you were probably in the clinic wishing you'd listened better."

"So your classes are pretty much pass/fail then?" Joan asked.

Ben grinned. "You can say that. More interactive, too."

Joan chuckled. "I'll tell you this much - the classes here are way more interesting than the classes I took back home."

Re: Be stylish leaders!

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