Leadership
	HSTA philosophy: Each person is born with certain gifts or talents. When these gifts or talents are developed and shared, they enrich the lives of others and improve the world. Joy and fulfillment reward the giver. The role of the HSTA teacher is to promote the discovery and growth of these talents within each student. The teacher can provide the environment where each student is encouraged to explore and reach for his or her potential. In modeling the behavior of the teacher, the students can be encouraged to do the same for their peers. Here is the root of leadership; using one's talents while encouraging others to reach their potential while working towards a common goal. As HSTA teachers have proven over and over, HSTA students can do amazing things while learning leadership skills that will stand fast for a lifetime. Components of leadership: Compassion: People are basically good at heart. They do not wake up in the morning wanting to hurt others. On the other hand, people have a strong need to protect themselves. Each person is trying to get through life the best way they know how and is interacting with others the best way they know how (which isn't always very good). In the light of understanding this: that each person is good hearted but may not have the skills to show it appropriately at all times, compassion comes easier. Compassion shown in a time of angst of another often calms that angst and provides the safe environment for working through the issue. Compassion is power and provides the environment for leadership. Listening Skills: If one really listens to the message behind the words of another and responds to that message, a true communion in understanding is more likely to occur. When groups work together in understanding, much can be accomplished towards a common goal. Respect and civility: Without these factors being central to group dynamics, people go into protective, defensive behavior which stops forward progress. Developing and sharing one's talents: The facets of each person which comprise the talents by which the group moves forward need to be discovered, developed and shared. The excitement of the individuals each giving their talents for the good of the mission is power in motion. Distribution of responsibility: Responsibility and power in the hands of those who have the potential talents to move forward, allow the group to move toward the goal at the most efficient pace. Recognition and reward: Never enough. Honest praise greases the wheels in group dynamics and makes forward motion easier. Communication skills: Clearly writing and speaking one's thoughts are the medium by which the group moves beyond itself to give the talents to the community at large. Networking and analysis of power: These activities combined with communication skills allows for the effective change far beyond the immediate group.