John W. Gardner's On Leadership provides a comprehensive discussion of the essential qualities of effective leaders and leadership development. Although it is difficult to determine which individuals can develop leadership qualities and fulfill their potential, future leaders need a motivating environment to cultivate these qualities. Every phase of a person's life, from childhood to adulthood, constitutes significant turning points in leadership development (Gardner 162). At home, young children acquire values and standards of behavior from their parents. In schools, teachers can also inculcate leadership values within the students. One of the important changes that needs to be made within school and college curricula is specialization. While it is important that students become well-versed in certain subjects, leaders need to be knowledgeable in a variety of subjects (Gardner 164).
At the college-level, liberal arts education provides potential leaders with a comprehensive education that covers all the disciplines. In order to meet the needs of humanity, leaders have to possess a degree of understanding in all these disciplines. Together, these disciplines form a complete picture of culture and society. Through liberal arts education, leaders can find out about technological changes, learn about the workings of the economy and grasp the importance of human values and aspirations (Gardner 164-5). Specialization in specific subjects should occur only at the graduate and professional level to provide future leaders with expert knowledge in certain subjects (Gardner 165).
In addition to the usual curriculum, future leaders should make use of various opportunities to hone their communication skills in both speaking and writing. Learning a second language can provide an important asset in future years (Gardner 166). Extra-curricular activities in the form of student government, dramatics and school newspapers also offer challenges ...