The Role of a Student Organization Leader

Leadership is not a goal. It’s a way of reaching a goal.
I lead best when I help others go where we’ve decided we want to go.
I lead best when I help others to use themselves creatively.
I lead best when I forget about myself as leader and focus on my group, their needs, and their goals.
To lead is to serve, to give, to achieve TOGETHER.

- Kathryn E. Nelson

The Role of the Leader:

Business Talks organization Lead is responsible for providing all aspects of leadership for the organization and is responsible for their own actions as well as the actions of all student organization members. These roles are vital to ensure that required duties are complete and the organization remains a viable part of the HFU Business School student community.

The Lead is the primary student contact for the student organization and the ‘external spokesperson’ of the group who regularly interacts the University officials.  He or she must be up to date on all student organization communication and events.

The practical question for leaders becomes, “What should I do as the leader of the Business Talks?” Leaders are expected to be the pacesetters of the group as well as lend some purpose, direction, and guidance to the organization.

-      The following roles are expected of leaders at various times. The roles will vary depending on the situation, but the leader must be capable of assuming any of them. We do not expect that you will be an expert at every one of these roles, but it is important that the leader be sensitive to the needs of individual members and of the group as a whole to determine when a change in role is necessary.

1. The Coordinator Role

Communicate to all members in a clear and effective manner; act as an information clearinghouse and resource person for all group members and as a contact person with other student organizations.

2. The Facilitator Role

Set the pace for the group by determining and defining procedures and structure. Assist members in retaining their identity in the group, in defining issues and summarizing progress. This role involves minimal direct influence on the group. It concentrates on establishing an interpersonal network that helps members work together.

3. The Trainer Role

Teach group members new ways of approaching problems; provide the group with methods they can use to learn from their own experiences. Evaluating the progress of an organization on an ongoing basis is essential if the group is to continue moving forward.
Training members of the organization to evaluate programs and assess the degree to which goals are being met is also an important component of this role.

4. The Observer Role

Be alert to how the group is functioning and particularly to which functions are not being met; be aware of each individual’s participation; show the group areas in which change might facilitate their work; let the group process occur.

5. The Gap Filler Role

Fulfill those functions that are not being handled by anyone else, particularly the functions of addressing problems, serving as the neutral observer, including and extending a continued welcome feeling to all members.

6. The Helper Role

To be an interested, caring individual whose main concern is for the welfare of the group.