Anyone who wants to take initiative, build confidence, and create positive change in their communities can build solid leadership skills that will benefit them personally and professionally for years to come. Watch the video and read more below about how leadership—a key durable skill—helps you inspire, guide, and motivate others! 

What is leadership?

Leadership is the ability to motivate others toward a shared goal. Your communication, decision-making, and example-setting all make up who you are as a leader. It’s not just about the power or title you have, but about your ability to step up, solve problems, and help others succeed. Growing into leadership skills can help you become who you want to be at work, school, and in life. 

Why leadership matters

Employers desire candidates with strong leadership skills who can take initiative, make decisions, and rally others to achieve success. In fact, leadership is one of the most in-demand durable skills, appearing in millions of job postings across nearly all industries! Who wouldn’t want someone who is willing to lean into new projects, creatively resolve issues, and help make tough decisions? 

In the age of AI, leadership has become even more important. While AI can automate tasks and systems, it can’t inspire or motivate people. It can’t check in on teammates or make the deep connections necessary to make a workplace thrive. This kind of care and attention is something only a leader can do! 

Actionable ways to grow your leadership skills

Here are a few specific ways you can grow your leadership skills:

Take initiative 

Doing things without being asked—also known as taking initiative—is a key part of leadership. Take some time to consider areas of your life that you can take initiative in. Whether you’re cleaning up the kitchen without being asked or helping a classmate who’s struggling in class, you are modeling the behavior of a leader! 

Encourage others 

When someone does something well, take a moment to celebrate and encourage them. This can be a fellow member of your sports team or a coworker at your part-time job. Recognizing others builds them up and creates a culture of support! 

Why leadership is a lifelong skill

Leaders aren’t perfect! They’re thoughtful, willing to learn, and committed to the people around them. They don’t wait to be given permission—they act to create a culture of support and learning. As many workplaces lean more heavily into AI, human leadership matters more than ever. AI can’t uplift, unite, or motivate people the way that a leader can!

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!