How to Develop Leadership Skills: 7 Proven Steps That Work

Step 1: Define Your Leadership Goals

Defining your leadership goals is the foundation of your leadership development journey. Without clear goals, your growth can feel aimless, making it harder to measure progress and stay motivated.

Your goals should reflect the kind of leader you want to be. Whether it’s improving communication, inspiring others, or making better decisions, having clear goals keeps you motivated and on track.

How to Define Your Leadership Goals

1. Reflect on Your Values and Purpose
   Ask yourself: What does leadership mean to me? And Why do I want to become a better leader? Your answers will help you shape authentic leadership goals.
2. Identify Key Areas for Growth
   Think about the leadership skills you admire in others. Do you want to improve your communication, decision-making, or ability to inspire others? Prioritize 2–3 areas where you feel growth is most needed.
3. Set SMART Goals
   For example: “I will improve team communication by scheduling bi-weekly feedback sessions over the next three months.” Your leadership goals should be:
   • Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
   • Measurable: Identify metrics to track progress.
   • Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic.
   • Relevant: Align them with your personal and professional aspirations.
   • Time-Bound: Set a deadline to stay focused.

Take Action

Write down your top leadership goals and review them regularly. Share them with a mentor or colleague to stay accountable.

Quick Exercise

Take five minutes to answer these questions: (1) What kind of leader do I want to be? (2) What skills do I want to improve first? (3) How will I know I’m making progress?

Setting your goals is the first step toward becoming the leader you want to be. Start now, and you’ll be surprised how much progress you can make.

Step 2: Understand Yourself and Your Leadership Style

To lead effectively, start by understanding yourself. Self-awareness helps you recognize your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style, building trust and confidence with your team.

Great leaders adapt to challenges while staying true to their values. Reflect on your motivations, seek feedback from colleagues or mentors, and use tools like the DISC Profile or MBTI to understand your approach better. Let your core values, like teamwork or integrity, guide your actions.

Recognize what frustrates or stresses you as a leader. Managing these triggers allows you to respond more effectively. Self-awareness is about knowing yourself well enough to lead with purpose and adapt when needed.

Take Action

Reflect on your approach to challenges, collaboration, and decision-making. Identify areas for growth and adjust your leadership style.

Quick Exercise

Take a free online leadership style quiz. Identify three strengths to reinforce and three areas to improve.

Step 3: Learn from Other Leaders

One of the best ways to grow as a leader is by learning from those who have already mastered the art of leadership. Observing and connecting with experienced leaders can provide valuable insights into effective strategies, decision-making, and overcoming challenges.

Great leaders leave clues. Watch how they handle conflict, inspire teams, and navigate difficult decisions. Take note of the traits and actions that resonate with you, and consider how to apply them to your leadership style.

Connecting with leaders directly can be even more powerful. Contact a mentor, supervisor, or someone you admire in your industry. Ask questions about their journey and the lessons they’ve learned.

Learning doesn’t have to happen face-to-face. Explore my insights, books, podcasts, and speeches by influential figures like Jim Rohn, Simon Sinek, or Brené Brown. Platforms like TED Talks or leadership podcasts provide practical strategies and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately.

Take Action

Identify one leader you admire and observe their approach. Reach out to them if possible, or explore their work through interviews, books, or talks.

Quick Exercise

Pick one leadership trait you admire in someone and apply it in your next interaction or decision-making process. Notice the impact it has on your approach and the response from others.

Step 4: Build Effective Communication Skills

Strong communication is at the heart of great leadership. Leaders who communicate effectively inspire trust, resolve conflicts, and ensure their vision is clearly understood.

Whether speaking to your team, addressing stakeholders, or simply listening, honing your communication skills is essential. For practical tips, consider resources like Toastmasters for improving public speaking.

Good communication connects you with others, builds rapport, and fosters collaboration. Without it, even the best strategies can fall short.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

1. Listen Actively
   Pay full attention to what others are saying. Ask clarifying questions and show empathy to build trust.
2. Be Clear and Concise
   Avoid overcomplicating your messages. Focus on delivering information in a way that’s easy to understand.
3. Adapt to Your Audience
   Tailor your tone and message based on who you’re addressing. What works for your team may not work for stakeholders.
4. Develop Nonverbal Communication:
   Your body language, facial expressions, and tone can say as much as your words. Ensure they align with your message.
5. Practice Giving Feedback
   Provide constructive feedback in a way that motivates and encourages growth..

Take Action

Focus on one area of communication to improve this week, like listening more attentively, simplifying your message, or using positive body language in meetings.

Quick Exercise

Before your next meeting or conversation, write down the key message you want to convey. Practice delivering it clearly and confidently, and pay attention to how it’s received.

Effective communication is a skill that grows with practice. The more intentional you are, the stronger and more impactful your leadership will become.

Step 4: Build Effective Communication Skills

Strong communication is at the heart of great leadership. Leaders who communicate effectively inspire trust, resolve conflicts, and ensure their vision is clearly understood.

Whether speaking to your team, addressing stakeholders, or simply listening, honing your communication skills is essential.

Good communication connects you with others, builds rapport, and fosters collaboration. Without it, even the best strategies can fall short.

How to Improve Your Communication Skills

1. Listen Actively
   Pay full attention to what others are saying. Ask clarifying questions and show empathy to build trust.
2. Be Clear and Concise
   Avoid overcomplicating your messages. Focus on delivering information in a way that’s easy to understand.
3. Adapt to Your Audience
   Tailor your tone and message based on who you’re addressing. What works for your team may not work for stakeholders.
4. Develop Nonverbal Communication:
   Your body language, facial expressions, and tone can say as much as your words. Ensure they align with your message.
5. Practice Giving Feedback
   Provide constructive feedback in a way that motivates and encourages growth..

Take Action

Focus on one area of communication to improve this week, like listening more attentively, simplifying your message, or using positive body language in meetings.

Quick Exercise

Before your next meeting or conversation, write down the key message you want to convey. Practice delivering it clearly and confidently, and pay attention to how it’s received.

Effective communication is a skill that grows with practice. The more intentional you are, the stronger and more impactful your leadership will become.

Step 6: Seek Feedback and Act on It

Feedback is one of the most valuable tools for personal and professional growth. As a leader, seeking feedback shows humility builds trust, and demonstrates your commitment to improvement.

It provides insights into how your actions and decisions impact others, helping you refine your approach and strengthen your leadership skills. To make feedback effective, approach it with an open mind and a willingness to listen.

Create opportunities for your team, colleagues, or mentors to share their thoughts through one-on-one conversations, surveys, or casual discussions. Focus on understanding their perspective rather than defending your actions.

The most important step is acting on the feedback you receive. Use it to identify specific changes or improvements you can implement. Following through enhances your leadership and shows others that their opinions matter.

Over time, this creates a culture of openness and mutual respect, fostering continuous growth for you and your team.

How to Develop Leadership Skills in Your Team

Building leadership skills within your team strengthens your organization and fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. Here are five practical steps to develop leadership skills in employees and teams:

1. Delegate Responsibility: Assign meaningful tasks that challenge team members and allow them to take ownership of outcomes.
2. Encourage Decision-Making: Provide opportunities for team members to make decisions and learn from the results.
3. Provide Training and Resources: Offer leadership development programs, workshops, or access to mentorship opportunities.
4. Model Leadership Behavior: Lead by example, demonstrating communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
5. Recognize and Reward Growth: Acknowledge when team members step up and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Investing in your team’s leadership development creates a stronger, more capable group ready to tackle challenges and achieve shared goals.