Written by: Caitlin Alfonso, LMSW
You do not have to be the captain of your sports team, your team lead at your job, or in charge of your school club to still be a great leader! Leadership skills are not limited to people in cliché “leadership roles”; the reality is you never know who is watching or who you are impacting. Simply take time to learn about leadership skills and further develop your own abilities!
Communication
Strong leaders can express themselves clearly when explaining their thoughts and ideas to others. However, it is not just what they say, it is how they say it that truly matters. Leaders can effectively state their opinions without minimizing, belittling, or judging those around them. Instead, they can listen to those around them and find value in others’ perspectives with an open mind. In fact, the strongest communication skill to develop is that of your ability to listen to others and really hear what they are saying. It is easy to assume and/or get so caught up thinking of your response that you cannot take in what is at the core of the person’s words.
Lead by Example
People notice actions. Therefore, leading by example and being a role model is important. If you want to be a leader who stands for kindness in your community then embrace behaviors that demonstrate your value of kindness. You might choose to do this by checking in on people, opening doors, or asking how you can help. If you want to encourage those around you to make healthy choices, you can do so by exercising, not using substances, and asking for help when you need it.
Integrity
Leaders should stand up for what they believe in. We are faced with complex life circumstances every day. You do not have to be in a place of “power” to stand up for something you believe in – in fact historically there are many people who were everyday civilians that became leaders because they stood up for something. Integrity also means doing what you say and following through on your words. Again, people trust actions so reflect on yourself with this simple question: Do my behaviors and actions align with my beliefs and what I stand for?
These are just some of the many skills that you can strengthen that will allow those around you to see you as a trusted leader. Words are important, but actions are what people see and remember. So, take time to reflect on your behaviors and the actions taken to communicate your leadership potential.
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Caitlin Alfonso is a lover of coffee, reading, traveling, and her dog, Remy. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and owner of Acornic Consulting, LLC.