13 Effective Ways to Develop Leadership Skills for 2025

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Leadership is one of those unquantifiable human characteristics whose nature has baffled experts and the men on the street alike. In the past, many find themselves subscribing to the belief that leaders are born, not made. Various research on the subject, however, has thrown a serious challenge to it (Muse, 2019). It confirms what many see: having promising young talents with leadership qualities whose performance fizzle out in the end.

On the other hand, many have proven to be good leaders without showing any clues in the early stages of their lives. As it turns out, development is key. As real-life events show, many grow into positions of leadership. In the business world, they are able to motivate office and remote employees after extensive courses in developing their leadership qualities.

In this article, we shall take a look at exactly how to develop leadership skills and how to improve leadership skills, knowing the specific traits and knowledge for one to rise to the top and reach their potential as a leader.

13 Ways to Develop Leadership Skills Table of Contents

Why the need to develop leadership skills?
13 Ways to Develop Leadership Skills
How a Good Leader Affects the Organization
How does emotional intelligence affect leadership development?
What are common challenges in leadership development, and how to overcome them?
How can pursuing advanced education enhance leadership skills?
How can you measure the success of leadership development initiatives?
Exploring Alternative Pathways to Leadership Development
How do mentorship and coaching contribute to leadership development?
How Can Digital Tools Enhance Leadership Development?
How Does Organizational Culture Impact Leadership Development?
Can fast track educational programs accelerate leadership development?
How Does Experiential Learning Foster Leadership Growth?
Can an accelerated masters degree online propel transformational leadership?

Why the need to develop leadership skills?

For those seeking career development, alongside personal and financial growth, a leadership role is considered the desired path to take. Being a leader provides the farthest career advancement an individual can achieve, depending on the roles available in the organization and how far the individual is determined to go up the leadership ladder. It also unlocks opportunities for greater recognition and be connected with fellow leaders, especially those who have mastered the art of how to develop leadership skills.

But in order for one to be considered a leader, it is important to develop the skills needed to become one. It is not easy to obtain these leadership skills as one needs a great deal of experience and learning, as well as having the right attitude towards self-development. It also pays to be updated with the most current leadership training trends. How to develop leadership qualities is also a lifelong process.

The skills serve as the foundation of the leadership path one takes in their career. Whether this path takes one quite far in their leadership journey or otherwise, it is important that the path is a solid and well-paved road that will enable them to reach their journey without falling by the wayside.

13 Ways to Develop Leadership Skills

There are 13 skills that would-be leaders need to develop to be able to prove themselves suitable for the role. Non-leaders can develop these in their workplaces or by joining a community service project. We shall look at each one in the list of leadership skills and abilities, why they are considered vital, how one can demonstrate they possess each skill, and how to build leadership skills.

1. Improve Communication Skills

Leaders are expected to have higher than average communication skills in order to better convey directives or inspire the team in their work. A good leader should learn how and when to use the right words that will grab the audience’s attention, enough for them to understand and heed what was being conveyed. This is applicable to both oral and written communication, so it is important to be fluent in both.

2. Practice Discipline

As a role model, it is important for a leader to exhibit discipline. Being able to show this attribute gets team members to follow suit, which can help bring about greater work efficiency. Discipline also makes it easy for team members to easily comply with a leader’s directives or instructions, as they see that the leader does indeed ‘walk the talk.’

Demonstrating discipline is as simple as meeting deadlines, keeping commitments, and being on time to start or end meetings and other engagements. Having a daily routine and sticking to it consistently also help instill discipline. If these tasks may seem too daunting, it is enough to start with the smaller tasks first and improve from there.

3. Resolve Conflicts

Managing multiple people, teams, and projects can inevitably lead to conflicts due to individual differences in beliefs, practices, and communication styles. Instead of seeing these conflicts as obstacles, leaders can consider them as learning opportunities that can help them develop conflict resolution skills, which are crucial in any project or situation they encounter throughout their careers. Such skills include mediating interactions between the parties involved, exercising emotional intelligence and respect, and working toward effective solutions. Experience hones these skills and prepares leaders for future situations that may demand conflict resolution to achieve optimal collaboration, improved organizational performance, and good team relationships.

4. Take on More Responsibilities

While it is not expected for a leader to do a lot of work since leaders are expected to delegate tasks to the team, it is still important for a leader to be able to take on additional responsibilities if necessary as a way to show initiative and help out the team if they are short-handed, thus taking on more responsibility. Such acts help demonstrate and develop the trait of being willing to go above and beyond their job description in order to help the team get things done.

5. Be a Follower

How to learn leadership skills is counterintuitive in that a good leader needs to be a good follower, a concept that has been around since ancient times and is a common philosophy among many religions. (Schroeder, 2019) A leader understands that things do not always go one’s way and that some may have better or more viable ideas or preferences than what they may have in mind. In such cases, a good leader knows when to stand back and entrust others to lead the way in reaching for a particular objective. Such experiences can also serve as an opportunity to learn new ideas that can help in their development as leaders.

It is important for leaders to always have an open mind towards possible new ideas and not feel threatened whenever someone disagrees with their ideas. There should be an open exchange of ideas and mutual respect for each person’s views. This helps build respect within the team towards the leader and build a positive working environment as well.

6. Develop Awareness and Foresight

With so many things happening around one’s environment, It is easy for one to be unaware, unintentionally or otherwise, of certain developments at first. Being a good leader is one who has not kept oneself abreast of everything that is going on within the team or the organization but also takes time to catch up regularly on any developments one may have missed the first time they occurred.

In keeping themselves updated with the developments, leaders can now also see possible patterns and trends that can help them in their decision-making and ensure that the team and the organization are ahead of the curve. This also helps them anticipate possible issues and handle them swiftly before they begin.

7. Inspire Others

Through words and actions, a leader should always aim to inspire the team to do their best despite the circumstances. A leader just doing a job regardless of what it is and the circumstances can be enough to motivate others to keep pushing. Giving even a simple encouraging statement or some comforting words to a team member needing one can make a huge difference in boosting one’s morale.

It is important for a leader to develop a sense of empathy that will help them have a better understanding of what people go through in their lives and be able to show proper support that can help them in such difficult times.

8. Continue Learning

Knowledge is one of the most important assets of a leader and in order to be a good leader, one has to continuously learn new things with regards to the role. There are leadership training programs or seminars one can take if one is seriously looking to grow professionally as a leader in an organization. But knowledge can also be attained through awareness of what is going on around them and, most especially, through real-life experiences on leadership and gain important insights as part of the learning experience. It also helps to learn from more experienced leaders who can provide much greater and deeper insights that will enrich one’s leadership skills.

9. Empower the Team

It is important for a leader to acknowledge the efforts of the team and let them know of their worth as a way of empowering them. Acknowledgments like these encourage them to do better and be more productive as their way of showing that they are not letting their leaders down.

A leader can also empower their team by delegating important tasks to certain team members. For the team members concerned, the delegation of a particular task implies trust in one’s character and expertise in getting the work done, which in turn helps in their professional development. It is important for a leader to help team members in their professional development and make them feel like they are important contributors to the team’s and the organization’s growth.

10. Listen Attentively

In a similar vein as a good follower, a good leader must also be keen to listen to suggestions, ideas, and feedback from other people that can help improve processes, the team, or the organization overall and not only act but also improve upon them. Leaders would benefit from doing active listening where one pays full attention to the speaker and acknowledge the message being imparted. Active listening can be done by maintaining eye contact, avoiding distractions, and responding appropriately. Showing an effort to actively listen helps people feel motivated that they are being listened to.

11. Encourage Collaboration

Business growth necessitates people to work in teams to achieve more goals and source innovative solutions. As a result, collaborative opportunities are not only common but also necessary in driving profit, maintaining organizational success, and aligning teams toward common objectives. Being part of such collaborative opportunities helps leaders to develop skills in fostering relationships, heralding team activities, and encouraging cohesion. Leading teams can provide a wealth of challenges such as handling diversity within the team and inspiring motivation. As such, collaborative experiences are prime opportunities for developing and mastering better leadership skills.

12. Have a Positive Attitude

Being a leader is not easy, with all the tasks, responsibilities, and pressures placed on them. Regardless of these challenges, a good leader is one who strives to maintain a positive attitude. One that is optimistic that the job will be done and is passionate about the work that he or she does. A good leader shows that one does one’s job out of love for the work and a sincere desire to see the team and the organization succeed.

13. Be More Decisive

One of the ways to improve leadership skills is for a leader to be decisive and not be easily swayed to change decisions afterward. A good leader knows the importance of every decision one makes so he or she takes time to see both the benefits and the drawbacks of each decision and come up with a decision that benefits the team and organization the most. Knowing that all options were considered and all possible results were plotted out helps leaders be more firm in their decisions

How a Good Leader Affects the Organization

The impact good leadership can bring to an organization has been proven to be an immense one. The research Impact of Leadership Style on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Nigerian Banks conducted by R.M. Ojokuku, T.A. Odetayo, and A.S. Sajuyigbe examined the effect of leadership style on the performance of organizations. (Ojokuku, Odetayo, & Sajuyigbe, 2012).

“From the result, it was discovered that there are both positive and negative correlation between leadership style dimensions and organizational performance, the model gives good account of dependent variable of organizational performance on leadership style dimensions," said Ojokuku, a professor at the Department of Management and Accounting in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria. “This finding agrees with the work of Howell and Frost (1989), Fu-Jin et al. (2010), Obiwuru et al (2011), and Jeremy et al. (2011) that leadership style has a significant effect on organizational performance."

The researchers further noted “That transformational and democratic leadership style, in which employees are allowed to have a sense of belonging, carry out higher responsibility with little supervision, and followers are helped to achieve their visions and needs enhance organizational efficiency."

How does emotional intelligence affect leadership development?

While many aspects of leadership development focus on building communication, decision-making, and management skills, emotional intelligence (EQ) is often overlooked yet critically important. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence one’s own emotions as well as those of others. Leaders with high EQ are better equipped to navigate the complexities of human behavior, foster strong team dynamics, and create a supportive and productive work environment.

Here are several ways in which emotional intelligence enhances leadership development:

Self-awareness: Emotionally intelligent leaders are deeply aware of their emotions and how those emotions influence their behavior and decision-making. By understanding their own strengths and weaknesses, they can make more informed choices and maintain emotional balance in stressful situations.
Empathy: Strong leaders recognize and empathize with the emotions of their team members. Empathy allows leaders to connect with their employees, understand their perspectives, and offer support, which can enhance morale and job satisfaction.
Emotional regulation: Leaders with high EQ can manage their emotions in a way that fosters a calm and composed leadership style. This helps to reduce stress in the workplace, prevent emotional outbursts, and create a positive atmosphere that encourages collaboration and problem-solving.
Relationship management: Developing strong interpersonal relationships is a key trait of emotionally intelligent leaders. By building trust, communicating effectively, and resolving conflicts amicably, leaders can create a cohesive and motivated team that works toward common goals.
Social skills: Leaders with strong EQ excel in social interactions, which helps them influence, inspire, and lead others effectively. They can navigate social complexities, manage group dynamics, and foster a sense of unity among team members.

What are common challenges in leadership development, and how to overcome them?

Leadership development can be an enriching but demanding journey. Individuals aspiring to become leaders often encounter challenges that test their skills, resilience, and adaptability. Here are some of the most common obstacles and strategies to overcome them:

Fear of Failure: Many aspiring leaders hesitate to take risks because they fear making mistakes. This fear can stifle growth and limit opportunities to learn.
- Solution: Embrace a growth mindset. Understand that failure is a natural part of the learning process and a stepping stone to success. Reflect on mistakes to identify areas for improvement.
Difficulty in Delegating: New leaders often struggle with letting go of control, fearing that tasks won't be completed correctly.
- Solution: Build trust within your team by recognizing their strengths and providing clear guidance. Delegation empowers others and allows leaders to focus on strategic goals.
Managing Diverse Teams: Working with individuals from varied backgrounds, skill levels, and personalities can be challenging.
- Solution: Develop strong interpersonal and cultural competence skills. Actively listen, remain adaptable, and prioritize inclusivity to foster a collaborative environment.
Balancing Personal and Professional Growth: Leadership development requires time and energy, which often leads to burnout or neglect of personal needs.
- Solution: Set realistic goals and prioritize self-care. Time management techniques and seeking support from mentors can help maintain balance.
Resistance to Change: Adapting to new leadership methods, technologies, or organizational shifts can be intimidating.
- Solution: Stay open to continuous learning. Attend workshops, read industry-related materials, and stay updated with trends to remain adaptable.

How can pursuing advanced education enhance leadership skills?

While hands-on experience is crucial for developing leadership skills, pursuing advanced education can further accelerate growth and provide deeper insights into leadership theory and practice. Many professionals opt for advanced degrees, such as a master's degree, to refine their skills and expand their career opportunities. Here’s how higher education can enhance leadership development:

Structured Learning: Programs focused on leadership often cover essential topics such as organizational behavior, strategic decision-making, and management theories. This structured learning helps develop a well-rounded understanding of leadership principles.
Practical Application: Many master's programs emphasize practical application, allowing students to apply leadership theories to real-world situations through case studies, projects, and internships. This hands-on experience strengthens their problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives: Advanced education often brings together individuals from various industries and backgrounds, providing a valuable opportunity to learn from others' experiences and expand one's leadership style.
Increased Credibility: Earning a master's degree can enhance professional credibility, making you a more attractive candidate for leadership roles. Employers value advanced education as it shows commitment to personal and professional growth.
Affordability of Online Programs: With the rise of online education, many professionals are turning to affordable online master’s programs to advance their careers. These programs offer flexibility and often come at a lower cost compared to traditional on-campus degrees. You can explore a cheap masters degree online to find cost-effective options that fit your goals.

By combining advanced education with practical leadership experience, you can accelerate your growth as a leader and better prepare for the challenges of senior management positions.

How can you measure the success of leadership development initiatives?

Establishing clear metrics is essential to gauge the effectiveness of leadership initiatives. Quantitative methods such as performance evaluations, employee engagement scores, and turnover rates provide tangible insights into leadership impact. Qualitative feedback through 360-degree reviews and targeted surveys can reveal shifts in team dynamics and decision-making confidence. Integrating these assessment tools with structured programs—like pursuing an easiest master's degree that emphasizes leadership competencies—helps create a balanced view of progress. Tailored benchmarks, periodic assessments, and action plans based on data analytics contribute to a continuous improvement cycle essential for lasting leadership success.

Exploring Alternative Pathways to Leadership Development

For individuals seeking innovative ways to develop leadership skills without overextending their financial resources, enrolling in higher education programs designed for flexibility and affordability is an excellent option. Online degree programs have emerged as a powerful pathway for aspiring leaders to gain advanced knowledge and practical tools, all while balancing their existing commitments.

One critical advantage of pursuing the lowest cost online bachelors degree is that it allows students to access quality education without the financial burden often associated with traditional learning modalities. This democratization of education creates opportunities for more professionals to acquire leadership-oriented skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. Moreover, the structured yet self-paced learning environment provided by online programs encourages discipline and time management—two traits indispensable for effective leadership.

Choosing an affordable and flexible online degree program will allow aspiring leaders to gain valuable credentials and cultivate essential attributes that will serve them well in professional or even entrepreneurial pursuits. This step, while often underestimated, plays a significant role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical leadership application.

How Non-Leaders Can Benefit from Leadership Skills

Every leader agrees, especially the top female CEOs, that knowing how to develop leadership skills is the most crucial element in a person’s professional and personal advancement. Getting educational credentials is one, for instance, taking up a master’s in Organizational Leadership program.

You can push the envelope further by advancing to a doctorate degree in organizational leadership, even via online.

But even if an individual has no aspirations for leadership, learning these skills and leadership skills development can help unlock opportunities for growth, even in non-leadership roles. In essence, leadership skills are universal in nature that help individuals become better and thrive in whatever they do. The tips above should point one in the right direction.

How do mentorship and coaching contribute to leadership development?

Mentorship and coaching offer structured, real-world feedback that accelerates leadership growth by providing tailored guidance and accountability. These practices enable emerging leaders to refine decision-making, enhance conflict-resolution strategies, and adapt to industry-specific challenges. Professional mentorship pairs individuals with seasoned leaders who provide insights into practical applications of leadership theories without replicating academic content. Additionally, coaching fosters a culture of continuous improvement through personalized development plans, making it an essential complement to formal education. For professionals in specialized fields looking to bridge theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, programs like online construction management degrees offer opportunities to integrate mentorship into their educational journey.

How Can Digital Tools Enhance Leadership Development?

In today's rapidly evolving business environment, digital tools have become pivotal in bridging theoretical knowledge and real-world leadership skills. Leveraging advanced communication platforms, data analytics, and virtual collaboration tools enables emerging leaders to monitor team performance, adapt strategies, and make data-driven decisions. Interactive online modules and digital simulations further offer real-time feedback and continuous skill refinement. Moreover, considering flexible educational options such as the easiest bachelor's degree to get can provide a practical entry point into developing digital literacy alongside robust leadership competencies.

How Does Organizational Culture Impact Leadership Development?

Organizational culture is a critical factor that shapes leadership development by creating an environment where values, behaviors, and expectations align with the organization’s vision. A healthy culture promotes accountability, open communication, and innovation, which in turn accelerates the growth of leadership competencies. When organizations emphasize continuous learning, ethical practices, and inclusivity, leaders are more likely to emerge and flourish. Additionally, a supportive cultural framework enables structured training programs and provides clear benchmarks for success. For professionals seeking to complement practical experiences with academic credentials, exploring options such as what degree can I get online in 6 months can bridge the gap between formal education and real-world leadership demands.

Can fast track educational programs accelerate leadership development?

Accelerated education programs offer a concentrated approach to building leadership competencies by compressing curriculum timeframes while maintaining comprehensive learning outcomes. These programs provide expedited exposure to critical leadership theories, strategic decision-making frameworks, and real-world applications, thereby enabling professionals to quickly integrate new skills and effectively manage complex challenges. For instance, specialized learning paths such as fast track degrees offer a dynamic environment where intensive coursework is paired with practical assignments, enhancing both theoretical knowledge and applied problem-solving abilities without compromising educational rigor.

How Does Experiential Learning Foster Leadership Growth?

Real-world projects and practical assignments complement formal education by cultivating the decision-making and adaptive skills essential for today’s leaders. Immersive experiences in diverse scenarios enable individuals to swiftly apply theoretical principles to complex challenges, thereby enhancing problem-solving capabilities without duplicating classroom instruction. Such hands-on opportunities, including those offered in programs like the fastest online associate's degree, are critical in bridging the gap between academic insights and effective leadership in practice.

Can an accelerated masters degree online propel transformational leadership?

Advanced academic programs, particularly those delivered in an accelerated format, equip leaders with refined strategic thinking and analytical rigor essential for navigating complex business landscapes. By integrating case-based learning with real-world scenarios, these programs foster a deep understanding of emerging industry trends, enhance critical decision-making skills, and cultivate innovative problem-solving abilities. Leaders also benefit from dynamic peer interactions and mentorship opportunities that contribute to a broader perspective and stronger professional networks. For more insights into such pathways, consider exploring our guide on accelerated masters degree online.

Key Insights

Leadership skills are essential for career development, personal growth, and financial advancement.
Good leaders are not necessarily born; many develop their leadership qualities over time through experience and learning.
Effective communication, discipline, conflict resolution, and the ability to take on more responsibilities are crucial leadership skills.
Good leaders must also be good followers, demonstrating openness to new ideas and respect for others' perspectives.
Awareness, foresight, and the ability to inspire others are key traits of successful leaders.
Continuous learning and empowering team members are vital for maintaining and enhancing leadership capabilities.
Active listening and encouraging collaboration foster a positive and productive work environment.
Maintaining a positive attitude and being decisive are critical for effective leadership.
Good leadership positively impacts organizational performance, enhancing efficiency and employee satisfaction.

FAQ

Why is it important to develop leadership skills?

Developing leadership skills is crucial for career advancement and personal growth. Leadership roles often come with greater recognition, opportunities for higher positions, and the ability to influence and inspire others. Additionally, leadership skills are valuable in various aspects of life and can enhance overall effectiveness in both professional and personal settings.

Can anyone become a leader, or are leaders born?

While some people may have natural leadership qualities, research and real-life examples show that leadership skills can be developed over time. Many individuals grow into leadership roles through experience, learning, and intentional development of necessary skills and traits.

What are some effective ways to develop leadership skills?

There are several ways to develop leadership skills, including improving communication, practicing discipline, resolving conflicts, taking on more responsibilities, and being a good follower. Additionally, developing awareness, inspiring others, continuous learning, empowering the team, listening attentively, encouraging collaboration, maintaining a positive attitude, and being decisive are all effective methods.

How can non-leaders benefit from developing leadership skills?

Even if an individual does not aspire to a leadership position, developing leadership skills can still be beneficial. These skills are universal and can improve overall effectiveness, enhance opportunities for growth, and contribute to better performance in any role. Leadership skills such as communication, discipline, and conflict resolution are valuable in various professional and personal contexts.

What impact does good leadership have on an organization?

Good leadership has a significant positive impact on an organization. Effective leaders can enhance organizational efficiency, improve team morale, foster a sense of belonging among employees, and drive overall performance. Research has shown that leadership styles such as transformational and democratic leadership can lead to higher organizational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

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