How to Develop Leadership Skills in Students

Leadership skills are not only valuable in business but also in everyday life. Only when an organisation, family, or event has good leadership, can it find the direction that brings prosperity.

In the evolving landscape of education, the importance of developing leadership skills in students has become more crucial than ever. These skills extend beyond academia and are fundamental for success in professional life.

 

This blog post highlights the importance of cultivating leadership skills, discusses the essential leadership attributes and top leadership skills, and offers actionable tips, activities, and strategies to help develop future student leaders.

 

What is the Importance of Developing Leadership Skills?

1. Fosters confidence and responsibility:

Leadership skills act as a catalyst, empowering students to navigate challenges with confidence. Engaging in fun leadership activities, such as Carnivals, Fests, and Events organised wholly by students, fosters accountability and responsibility.

2. Promotes effective communication:

Effective communication is at the core of leadership. Students who develop this skill early on enhance their ability to express ideas, collaborate with peers, and build meaningful relationships. Reputed education providers have leadership programmes dedicated solely to developing leadership skills within their students.

 3. Encourages critical thinking:

Leadership is synonymous with decision-making. Cultivating leadership skills nurtures critical thinking abilities, allowing students to make informed decisions and analyse situations from multiple perspectives. Moral dilemma questions, guest lectures in psychology, debates, and elocutions can help develop these leadership qualities.

 4. Prepares for future roles:

Leadership skills acquired during student years prepare students for future roles in academia and professional careers. Equipped with leadership qualities, students can confidently take on challenges and responsibilities.

 

Real-life Example of How a Teacher Instilled Leadership Skills in Students

An example of this is the class of Erin Gruwell in 1993. She is a California-based teacher who was assigned to a group of troubled and at-risk students.

Despite struggling to effectively teach due to insubordination, she chose an ingenious way to instil a sense of purpose and direction within them.

She assigned each one of them a copy of Anne Frank’s Diary as an assignment and after reading this, the students originally hailing from drug abuse, juvenile prison and violent backgrounds had a change of heart.

This experience transformed the students, instilling courage and determination, leading them to pass her class with high scores and later secure reputable positions.

(Source: Today)

 

What are Some Leadership Skills and Assets?

 

1. Effective communication:

Leaders articulate ideas with clarity, fostering understanding among team members. This skill is pivotal in conveying visions, goals, and instructions.

2. Decision-making:

Leaders make decisions confidently and efficiently, steering a team toward common objectives.

3. Team collaboration:

Leaders excel in collaborative environments, leveraging the strengths of team members to achieve shared goals.

4. Adaptability:

Adaptable leaders thrive in dynamic and unpredictable situations, navigating challenges effectively.

 

Tips to Develop Leadership Qualities in Students

1. Encourage extracurricular activities:

Participation in clubs, sports, or community service provides platforms for honing leadership skills. Students learn to organise, motivate, and lead in diverse settings.

2. Promote self-reflection:

Encouraging students to reflect on their actions fosters self-awareness. Recognising strengths and areas for improvement is fundamental to personal growth.

3. Provide leadership opportunities:

Offering positions of responsibility within the school or community allows students to practice and refine their leadership skills in real-world scenarios.

4. Foster a growth mindset:

Teaching that abilities can be developed instils a positive attitude towards challenges. A growth mindset encourages students to embrace learning opportunities.

 

How to Include Leadership Activities for Students

Here are a few examples of leadership activities for students that you can use:

1. Team-building exercises:

Team-building activities foster collaboration, communication, and trust among students. These exercises simulate real-world scenarios where leadership qualities are crucial.

2. Role-playing scenarios:

Simulating leadership situations allows students to practice decision-making skills in a controlled environment. This enhances their ability to handle diverse scenarios. For example, moral dilemma questions.

3. Community service projects:

Engaging students in projects that benefit the community instils a sense of responsibility and promotes teamwork. 

 

How to Become a Student Leader

1. Lead by example:

Leading by example sets the standard for expected qualities in a leader. Demonstrating integrity, dedication, and a strong work ethic inspires others to follow suit. Dr Angela Duckworth mentions in her article in Psychology Today that human imitation is learning. She mentions a notable example of this by citing famous pastry chef, Corrado Assenza who said that he learned what he learned not just by doing but by watching his mentor at work. He observed his hand movements and techniques when his mentor worked. (Source: PsychologyToday)

2. Seek feedback:

Encouraging students to seek and accept feedback promotes continuous improvement. Constructive feedback is a valuable tool for refining leadership skills.

3. Embrace challenges:

Challenges offer growth opportunities. Encouraging students to view challenges as stepping stones to success fosters resilience and determination.

 

Impact of Leadership Skills Training in the Future

Developing leadership skills in students has a profound impact on their future endeavours:

• Enhanced employability:

Employers actively seek individuals with well-honed leadership qualities, providing students with a competitive edge in the job market. A recent study notes that nearly 77% of businesses feel that they lack strategic leadership while almost 69% of all workers interviewed feel that weak leadership has resulted in a lack of recognition for them in the workplace. (Source:Zippia)

• Effective problem-solving:

Leaders equipped with problem-solving skills navigate challenges efficiently, contributing to the overall success of organisations. Almost 85% of all organisations believe that their employees must exhibit leadership skills and qualities at entry-level positions. (Source:Zippia)

• Positive influence:

Student leaders positively influence their peers, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment conducive to personal and collective growth. 

In conclusion, investing in the development of leadership skills in students goes beyond academic achievements. Leadership qualities instil confidence, effective communication, and critical thinking, preparing students for a dynamic and competitive world. Educators and mentors play a pivotal role by incorporating activities, strategies, and encouraging a growth mindset.

If you would like to enrol in a strategic leadership development course, consider joining the London School of Business and Finance UK. At LSBF, students have ample opportunities to express their leadership qualities, and is rated highly by students on Trustpilot.

The Leadership Development course at LSBF can help bring out our inner strengths and is a chance for students to learn in a global synergistic environment. Experienced professionals can also opt for leadership development courses which will help you understand the importance of leadership, different styles of leadership and how to employ leadership in a corporate environment.