Leadership Development

Developing leaderships skills is invaluable when it comes to your future school and career prospects. You don't even need to strive to be in a leadership role yourself to benefit from developing strong leadership skills. Knowing what skills make a great leader can be extremely helpful when you begin to search for a leader yourself, whether that's in a classroom, student club/organization, or your direct supervisor in your job. Here are some leadership skills you and your mentee can develop or look for in those you wish to follow:

• Communication

  • Leaders should be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and actively listen to others. They should also be able to facilitate group conversations, and use nonverbal communication.

• Conflict Resolution

  • Leaders should be able to resolve conflicts fairly and impartially, and address issues by considering different perspectives.

• Relationship Building

  • Leaders should be able to build positive relationships with their team members, and understand their strengths and weaknesses. This can help leaders delegate tasks and communicate more effectively.

• Self-Awareness

  • Leaders should understand themselves, including their personality traits, behaviors, and emotions. They should also be aware of how their actions impact others.

• Integrity

  • Leaders should have a strong set of values, and make ethical choices that help their company maintain a positive image.

• Passion

  • Leaders should be passionate about their work and team goals, and focus on performing at their best every day. This can inspire their team members to work hard and reach their own goals.

Professional Development

It's never too early to begin thinking about professional development. Getting involved in clubs or organizations that support your major or career can be a really easy way to start working on building up your skills and stay knowledgeable about the newest developments in your field. In this part of the discussion, explore professional associations that exist for your mentees chosen career path. Also, let them know about student clubs or organizations that you've been involved in or that they could get involved in when they transfer. A lot of the discussion on Leadership Development can weave closely together with Professional Development, so it's fine if the conversation overlaps.