How can you develop leadership skills in your first job?

I've always been a fan of setting SMART goals - but there are a few caveats. Most people (self included) usually set goals from a point of scarcity - we set them for things we want... However, seldom do we come from a place of abundance. So before setting any goal, review your previous accomplishments over the last 1 or 3 years and then DO MORE OF THAT. Do was is working and leverage those capabilities and then add a bit more and a bit more. Become More. Whether this be around work, personal or financial goal - Do more of what is working... Leaders become leaders because they leverage their capabilities. And then, take a look at the research around NOT sharing your goals with other people - it's pretty fascinating stuff.

It'd be late if leadership is only developed in your first job. I'd highly recommend leadership while growing up, as it forms a mental map about what and how to interact with people. On the first job, setting goals is not as important as observing the context. Too often, goals are set without understanding the leadership context and where you can contribute in the first place.

Before diving into skill building, consider what it means to be a leader. Reflect on great (and poor) leaders you have worked with. What did they do? How did they make you feel? Leadership is a responsibility and it is more likely that people will remember how you made them feel over what you actually did. Then consider what kind of leader you want to be. Try a visioning exercise where you draw this out in as much detail as you can - characteristic, skills, behaviours. Once you have this, be clear on your values and what is important to you. And plot the steps that will lead you to your leadership North Star. Be purposeful and authentic in your leadership journey.

By setting Goals these can be very helpfull Through practice (practice makes perfect) Seeking help from mentors and adapting a serving mindset

Receiving and acting on feedback can be hard. I have found the below sets you up for the most growth from feedback. Stay open-minded and calm. Listen actively without interrupting. Ask for clarification when needed. Take responsibility and avoid excuses. Create an action plan for improvement.

Seeking feedback is always important, regardless of the topic. That requires becoming proficient in Active Listening Skills. This is an area I'm constantly working on, and very much a challenge for some of us who are neuro diverse. I really don't advise offering unsolicited feedback however. Caring about others comes from a place of "how can I help" versus letting someone hear what you believe they could have done better. Leaders don't put others down (which IMO offering unsolicited feedback does). Instead good leaders lift others up, so encourage without criticism.

Although accepting feedback can be difficult, it is crucial to distinguish it from personal identity and professional competence. Constructive criticism is not only about recognizing weaknesses but is also a proactive way to identify blind spots, promote self-awareness, and encourage continuous improvement. This process showcases a leader's humility and willingness to accept new ideas and creates a culture of growth within the team or organization. By treating feedback as a tool for personal and professional growth and separating it from one's ego, leaders can motivate others to do the same. This approach promotes a dynamic environment that encourages learning and development.

Something that will help : Be approachable, ask specific questions about strengths and areas to improve, act promptly on feedback, seek diverse perspectives, reflect on your actions regularly, express gratitude for input, set clear leadership goals, and embrace constructive criticism with a positive mindset. Do it quite often.

Take initiative by all means yet understand your own boundaries and needs. Often we take on more than we can do. I believe it is always better to do the assigned task as well as possible BEFORE asking for more to do. For new people to the workforce, I recommend really do your job well, understand the assignments and ask for help when you don't. And when you do propose something new or offer your ideas, ensure they are well founded and fully formed and do your research. New ideas are fabulous and I always encourage people to contribute. Having a growth mindset and doing something new will always provide added value. A growth mindset provides an opportunity to fail. I'm a HUGE advocate on failure. And Fail Fabulously and have fun!

Sure, take the initiative. But always remember that what you deem as good contribution must be backed up by matching the pains and needs of the people you take initiative with. There is nothing worse than taking initiative and thinking you are helping, only to realize that you were getting in others' way. This is why contextual observation is important. If you are new and do not understand this, start getting familiar with decision making models like the OODA loop and the Cynefin framework. Having a good mentor can also aid you in navigating such decisions.

If you really want to develop your leadership skills, say yes to something you don't think you are ready for yet. You are often ready before you think you are, and you do have the skills necessary to take on the challenge. Once you have raised your hand and said you want to take on the leadership assignment, put in the time and effort to ensure success.

I find that one of the most important ways to develop leadership skills in your first job is failing to let fear stop you from speaking up with your ideas. Often new employees fear asking a "dumb" question yet open communication is key for personal and professional growth.

Model every aspect of leadership globally then mirror all behaviours then aim Beyond that level Of excellence ….. So who are the the top 5 leaders you admire globally who have a fantastic track record

Learning from individuals with more experience, knowledge, or expertise is essential to leadership growth. Engage in mentorship, observe their approaches, and actively participate in discussions to absorb their wisdom. One can gain a deeper understanding of effective leadership by embracing their insights, comprehending their strategies, and analyzing their successes and failures. Adapting their lessons to your specific context is important, honing your skills through a combination of their expertise and your leadership style. This continuous learning journey enhances your leadership skills and prepares you for growth and adaptation in various scenarios.

Mastering leadership skills in your initial role requires a multifaceted approach. Begin by observing and learning from leaders, keenly noting their actions and seeking guidance from mentors. Ask for feedback and eagerly seize any chances to assume leadership roles, expanding your experience. Refine the way you communicate while engaging in learning opportunities like workshops and networking events. Embrace mistakes as pivotal learning moments by amalgamating observation, active involvement, and an unwavering hunger for growth. This way you can adeptly cultivate leadership skills while making meaningful contributions in your workplace.

First, this is such a great article. Leadership is a choice as much as it is a role and anyone reading these comments should recognize that they are already ahead of the game by considering how to improve as a leader. A common mistake I see new leadership make is to assume that another's success means your lack of ability. It's a gift to work with talented people and impactful leaders. Consider what they do well, and how you might incorporate some of their habits. Use their abilities to compare and contrast how you want to lead others. As the saying goes - "a smart person learns from their experience, a wise person learns from the experience of others".

Seize opportunities to lead projects or initiatives, even small ones. Learn from mentors, seek feedback, and embrace challenges. Cultivate strong communication and interpersonal skills. Take initiative, demonstrate accountability, and strive for excellence. Be open to learning from both successes and failures. Adaptability, resilience, and a positive attitude contribute to effective leadership development early in your career.

If I was to develop my leadership skills, I would definitely go with into the coaching sessions, focused on knowing and understanding my leadership style and abilities, discovering the best options for me, and reflecting over my experience, cases, first tries. Participating in business simulations, where you can observe and develop the skills like teamwork, decision making, strategic thinking and others - would add a huge value, providing fast and insightful results.

In many ways, leadership growth requires some philosophical foundation. You need to be clear about your strengths, your choices and actions. With clear 360 feedback and confidants who can offer you insight, you can triangulate great observations about yourself. Are you impatient? Do you moderate your emotions too tightly to a point of feeling superficial to others? Do you have limiting beliefs that you want to adapt or change? Much of your leadership experience must then tailor toward building alliances, advocates and agents and setting up your context so that you succeed.

Observe others in leadership roles and determine what you like and what you don’t like. Being led by someone else you will have the best experience in your life to decide what you think is good and bad leadership. Borrow what you like and leave the rest or figure out practices to avoid those pitfalls. Once you are established as a leader these borrowed practices will form the bedrock of your leadership style.

Reflecting on your experience = being able to articulate it more clearly when called upon. Leaders are often in their roles because they were able to articulate their experience clearly, how it can be leveraged and how it can be used to help others grow.

I believe all leadership starts with self leadership, especially in our first few jobs (assuming we're not managing people yet). Self leadership has 2 components: self-discovery and self-trust. Self-discovery is all about getting to know who we are at a deeper level i.e. how do we operate and why, what beliefs do we have about ourselves and the world, etc. Self-trust is trusting that self that we've gotten to know deeply, trusting that we have our own backs no matter what.

One advice I gto early on in my career was to adopt the 'Entrepreneur's mindset' as opposed to the 'Employee's mindset' when it comes to handling tasks. In other words, have a sense of ownership of the task you are doing. This tiny shift in the way of thinking has the potential of increasing the quality of the work one does, and more importantly the way one does it. Amongst other pieces of advice, this one always stuck on and helped immensely!

Personalmente, siendo un millenial con todas las ganas y potencial por delante fue complicado. En tu primer trabajo, siempre llegas emocionado y con ganas de aprender, pero no siempre se cumple. Nuevamente hablo desde mi experiencia, para mi lo frustrante fue no tener un líder que me guiara, nunca tuve objetivos claros. ?Cómo puedes intentar desarrollar algo de lo cual no tienes idea? Así que, retomando la pregunta inicial, ?Cómo puedes desarrollar habilidades de liderazgo en tu primer trabajo? Si tienes un líder que te guie y te apoye (Deberíamos hacer esto con cada miembro de nuestro equipo), ya tienes a tu inspiración. De lo contrario, justo de lo que habla el articulo es lo que podríamos llamar “una buena alternativa para hacerlo solo”.

Neben all den wertvollen Inputs von aussen, sollte auch der ganz pers?nliche Führungsstil gest?rkt werden. Basis dazu, bilden die eigenen St?rken und Werte. Erg?nzt mit Best-Practices, Experimentierfreudigkeit kann die Sicherheit für den eigenen Stil gefunden werden.

In addition, and prior to all of these suggestions, I would advise to do an exercise to understand what you concept of a good leader is. Even with little experience I am sure you are able to say who you think is a great leader and why. Take examples from famous people, would you say Elon Musk is a good leader?. Take examples from your life, do you see your mother/father/cousing/professor as a leader? why? what makes them special? This will help understand what skills of leadership you value and will give you a good starting point to define the skills you want to develop and grow.