You want to advance your career in content development. How can you develop your leadership skills?

Defining your leadership style starts with understanding yourself and how you like to work with others. Think about how you communicate, make decisions, and handle challenges. Do you prefer to listen to everyone's ideas before deciding? Or do you like to make quick decisions? Maybe you're really good at motivating people and making them feel included. Once you know your strengths and preferences, you can shape your leadership style around them. It's like figuring out your own special way of leading that feels comfortable and effective for you. Just be yourself, learn from others, and keep improving as you go.

Understating the situational leadership model can be very helpful to understand and develop your leadership style. Situational leadership tailors leadership approaches to followers' readiness. It spans four styles: Telling/Directing where leaders provide clear instructions for beginners, Selling/Coaching offering guidance while maintaining control for those with some skills, Participating/Supporting involving followers in decision-making when they're skilled, and Delegating granting autonomy to experienced individuals. Effective leaders flexibly navigate these styles, adapting to the situation and the developmental stage of their team members for maximum impact.

I think it’s also very important to observe and be mindful of the mistakes some leaders make while they are subjected to certain situations. It’s important for you to observe and analyse the impact of such mistakes and be more strategic when you are put into a similar situation.

Developing your communication skills is about practicing and learning new ways to express yourself clearly. Start by listening carefully to others when they speak. Pay attention to their words and how they convey their thoughts and feelings. When you speak, try to be clear and concise, using simple language that everyone can understand. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or with friends and family to become more confident. Also, read and write regularly to expand your vocabulary and improve your articulation. Remember, communication is a two-way street, so be open to feedback and always strive to improve.

Taking on more responsibility is a great way to grow in your career. Start by looking for opportunities within your current role where you can contribute more or take on new tasks. Talk to your supervisor or manager about your interest in taking on additional responsibilities and ask for guidance on how to do so. Show initiative by volunteering for projects or tasks that align with your skills and interests. Take ownership of your work and strive to exceed expectations. As you demonstrate your ability to handle more responsibility, you may be given even greater opportunities to grow and advance in your career.

Here’s some genuine advice. To advance your career in content development don’t focus solely on being a ‘leader’. Instead read more relevant literature, meet experts and hear them out, put your pen to the paper to express your thoughts and keep track of the latest techniques in storytelling. Building Talent in content development takes a lot of effort and learning, and your work will have to speak for itself, your stories will need to resonate with others. Do that much and your career will bloom, leadership traits will automatically follow! #contentdevelopment