When parents hear the phrase “leadership” in a school brochure, they
often picture a class monitor or a student council. But genuine
leadership education is broader and more useful. It is about helping
every child take responsibility, set goals, work with others and make
good choices, long before they hold any title.
One programme that schools around the world use for this purpose is
Leader In Me. M S Dhoni Global School (MSDGS) lists it
among its beyond-academics activities. This guide explains what the
programme is, how it typically works in a school, what parents can
expect and what questions to ask. It is useful for any family in Gunjur,
Varthur or Sarjapur who is comparing the culture of different CBSE
schools. For a wider view, see our guide to the best CBSE school in Gunjur.
What Is Leader In Me?
Leader In Me is a whole-school framework designed to help students
develop leadership and life skills. It is widely known as being based on
the seven habits popularised by Stephen R. Covey in his book The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People, adapted in simple,
child-friendly language for use in schools. Schools around the world
have adopted versions of it.
The central idea is that every child can be a leader of their own
life, and that leadership is a set of habits that can be taught,
practised and celebrated.
The Seven Habits in
Child-Friendly Terms
Programmes usually teach the habits in age-appropriate language. A
typical child-friendly version looks like this.
- Be proactive. I am in charge of my choices. I do
not blame others. - Begin with the end in mind. I have a plan and I
know what I want to achieve. - Put first things first. I do the important things
before the fun things. - Think win-win. I look for solutions that work for
everyone. - Seek first to understand, then to be understood. I
listen before I speak. - Synergise. Together we can do better than
alone. - Sharpen the saw. I take care of my body, mind,
heart and spirit.
These ideas can sound big, but children as young as five can
understand them through stories, songs, games and daily routines. A
teacher might ask, “What choice can you make when your friend takes your
pencil?” and guide the child to a proactive, kind response.
How It Shows Up Day to Day
in School
In schools that run the programme well, you tend to see leadership
woven into everyday life rather than confined to a special class.
Examples include:
- Classroom jobs. Children take turns managing roles
such as distributing materials, welcoming visitors or leading the
morning routine. - Goal setting. Students set personal goals, such as
improving reading, and track their progress. - Student-led events. Children plan and present
assemblies, exhibitions or celebrations. - Common language. Teachers and students use the same
words, such as “proactive” or “win-win,” to talk about behaviour. - Student voice. Children are invited to share ideas
about improving their school.
If you want to see how presentation and confidence are built through
school events, read building confident
public speakers at school.
Leader In Me at M S
Dhoni Global School
MSDGS lists Leader In Me alongside sports, Expo, culturals, STEM and
robotics, art and craft, music, dance, yoga and field trips under its
Beyond Academics section. The school’s wider philosophy centres on
values, culture and discipline, and a “360-degree” approach to
development, so the programme fits naturally with its stated aims.
The school’s website does not describe the programme in detail, such
as which grades take part, how often sessions are held or how teachers
are trained. That is a good reason to ask these questions during your
visit. You can also read the school’s Leader In
Me page for the latest description.
Why Leadership Education
Matters
It builds confidence
Children who are trusted with responsibility, even small ones, tend
to feel more capable. They learn that their actions matter.
It supports emotional skills
Habits such as listening, thinking win-win and managing priorities
help children handle friendships, disagreements and stress.
It prepares children for
the future
Employers, universities and communities value people who can take
initiative, collaborate and communicate. These skills develop over
years, not weeks.
It reinforces academics
A child who plans, prioritises and persists is better equipped to
manage homework and exam preparation. Our guide to setting up a study routine for
school kids shows how habits connect to daily learning.
Questions
to Ask a School About Leadership Programmes
- Which grades are involved, and what does it look like at each
stage? - How are teachers trained and supported?
- How do children practise the habits during the school day?
- Are parents involved, and how can we reinforce the ideas at
home? - How does the school measure the impact?
- How does leadership connect to sports, arts and academics?
- Can I see examples of student-led activities?
Use our school visit
question list to add these to your notes.
Practising the Habits at
Home
Parents are a child’s first leadership teachers. You can reinforce
the habits in everyday life.
- Be proactive: When something goes wrong, ask “What
can we do?” rather than “Whose fault is it?” - Begin with the end in mind: Before a project or
holiday, talk about what you want to achieve. - First things first: Make a simple list together,
with homework and chores before play. - Think win-win: When siblings argue, ask each to
suggest a solution that works for both. - Seek to understand: Practise listening without
interrupting at the dinner table. - Synergise: Cook, build or clean as a family
team. - Sharpen the saw: Protect sleep, exercise, reading
and time with loved ones.
Model these behaviours yourself. Children learn more from what they
see than from what they hear.
Cautions and Balance
Any programme is only as good as its implementation. Watch out
for:
- Slogans without practice. If the habits appear on
posters but never in daily interactions, the programme is cosmetic. - Pressure to perform. Leadership should not become
another competition. Every child, including quiet and shy ones, can lead
in their own way. - Overload. Make sure leadership activities do not
crowd out rest and play.
A balanced school integrates leadership, academics, sports and arts.
MSDGS lists all of these in its programme. See school with a sports
academy in Bengaluru East and why art, music and dance
matter.
Quiet Leaders: Every Child
Can Lead
Some parents worry that a leadership programme favours extroverted
children. The best programmes explicitly recognise many styles of
leading. A quiet child may lead by listening carefully, solving problems
patiently, helping a friend or creating something beautiful. Encourage
your child to discover their own strengths.
A Short Story: How a
Habit Changes a Moment
Imagine a Class 2 child who is upset because a classmate took the
last blue crayon. In a school without a shared language for behaviour,
the teacher might simply say, “Share, please.” In a school that teaches
leadership habits, the teacher might gently ask, “What can you do that
is proactive? Is there a win-win?” The child pauses, thinks, and
suggests that they take turns, or that one uses blue first while the
other uses green. The problem is solved by the children, not for
them.
Over months, moments like this add up. Children begin to notice their
own feelings, name their choices and look for solutions that respect
everyone. The effect is often visible in the playground, on the bus and
at home, where parents may hear their child say, “I am being
proactive.”
What Progress Looks Like
Over Time
Parents sometimes wonder how to know whether such a programme is
working. Instead of looking for marks, look for patterns:
- Your child talks about goals and plans without being asked.
- Disagreements with siblings are resolved with less shouting.
- Your child takes on small responsibilities at home with pride.
- Teachers report that your child listens well and contributes in
groups. - Your child shows more independence in packing a bag or finishing
homework.
These changes are gradual. Celebrate them, and share them with the
teacher, who can reinforce the same behaviours at school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leader In Me
part of the CBSE curriculum?
It is a school-level programme that sits alongside the CBSE
curriculum rather than being a CBSE requirement.
Which grades take part at
MSDGS?
The school’s website lists the programme but does not specify grades.
Ask the school during your visit.
Does it replace academics?
No. It complements academic learning by building habits and
character.
How can parents help?
Ask your child about the habits, practise them at home and speak to
the teacher about reinforcing them.
Learn More
If character and leadership are priorities for your family, visit M S
Dhoni Global School and ask to see how values show up in daily life.
Contact the school through the admission
enquiry page or call +91-7599507777.
