What do you do if you want to develop your leadership skills as an intern?

Embrace the novice mindset - when interns come in wearing their education as a badge of honour and their placement as a right, and all it does is create barriers to development. The value in being a novice is that you get to ask all the questions, shadow senior leaders, make requests and seek clarification to gain further insight. Ask for feedback when you submit something so that you may improve and do better next time. Connect with the mid-manager leaders (consider 2 levels up at a max) that you admire, share your commitment to getting the most out of this development and seek out mentorship (buy them a coffee), shadowing opportunities and feedback. Always thank them for their generosity where given and share follow up actions.

As an intern, developing leadership skills involves seeking opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, leading small teams or projects, actively seeking feedback, and engaging in networking and mentorship to expand knowledge and improve.

As an intern, developing leadership skills is crucial for setting a strong foundation for your future career. Here is a brief list of skills to develop which will develop your leadership skills"? Seek Mentorship Take Initiative Embrace Responsibility Communicate Effectively Develop Emotional Intelligence Learn from Feedback Developing leadership skills as an intern requires dedication, initiative, and a willingness to learn and grow. By seeking mentorship, taking initiative, embracing responsibility, communicating effectively, developing emotional intelligence, learning from feedback, and leading by example, I'm laying the groundwork for a successful career as a leader in the future.

As an intern, the most important person is your mentor or the person you will report during the internship - the relationship you will build with that person will be of utmost importance for the value you can glean out of this experience. So observe this person closely so that you are able to build a behaviour which your mentor will find acceptable for sharing his thoughts and helping you. Once you have built a mutually trusty equation with your mentor - then ask all sorts of operational questions revolving around the “why” of what you do. This should help you really add a lot of value to both yourself and the org of your internship.

Here's how to embark on this path of self-discovery and growth: 1) Use Self-Assessment Tools Tools like the Myers-Briggs These insights can guide you in understanding how to leverage your strengths effectively while recognizing areas that require development. Seek Feedback 2) Request regular feedback sessions to understand how your actions are perceived and the impact they have on your team. Be open to constructive criticism and ask specific questions to glean deeper insights, such as "Can you give me an example of when I handled a situation well?" 3) Reflect on Your Experiences Regularly take time to reflect on your experiences, particularly those that were challenging or didn't go as planned. Consider what went well, what didn't, and why.

I observe leadership qualities in interns who volunteer for projects that require teamwork. They ask to lead small components within bigger projects with confidence but without arrogance. They collaborate effectively and offer suggestions without showboating. I encourage interns to observe and learn from the leadership styles of their managers, especially those that are respected by many.

Seek out opportunities to take on extra responsibilities, volunteer for leadership roles in projects, and actively seek feedback from mentors or supervisors to continuously improve your leadership abilities. Also, consider seeking out leadership training programs or workshops offered by the company or external organizations.

Choose your internships wisely. It’s more important to go to big names, well established organizations as they will help you to develop your professional skills in a structured manner. It’s critical if you plan to work for big companies and you plan to spend your first 5 years as an employee - which is working great for me - or go directly to an SME if you plan to be an entrepreneur and cut the chase!

Be proactive, rather than reactive. When something is needed, raise your hand and volunteer; don't be shy. Don't think or feel that anything is beneath you. Someone's gotta do the "grunt work"...and this is your time -- and your chance; the people above and around you will notice and appreciate your initiative and teamwork. View everything as a learning experience. Keep a learning journal to capture your insights and questions. There's a common saying that we don't learn from our experiences...we learn from REFLECTING ON our experiences; so be sure to make the time and take the time for personal reflection. Lastly, remember and practice these "4 G's" that I recommend to leaders of all levels: Be Genuine, Generous, Grateful, and Gracious.

Leadership doesn't come from formal leadership alone. You can develop your leadership skills regardless of your level and experience and in fact, that's often more critical. When you're a formal leader, you don't want people to listen to you or follow you just because you're their boss. You want them to be inspired by you and relate to you. You want them to be motivated because you've build a strong relationship with them and others and you've illustrated a vision for the team. There's so much you can do to develop your leadership skills even before you're a "leader." - Build your network - Practice and strengthen your communication skills - Master facilitation and engagement skills - Start building a story library.

Most leaders love to give advice! As an intern, you've got a golden opportunity to get free advice from the leaders at a company. If you pay attention, ask good questions and perform well, they will be only to happy to help you. Pro Tip: Speak to leaders outside of your department as well. Schedule calls with them, coffee meets, whatever you can - to get a good idea of how the company works at scale. It isn't just about your technical skills, you need to network, gain insights and improve your knowledge and skills to become a leader in any industry

Be a sponge. Observe how the leaders at your internship conduct themselves and lead. Watch how they give feedback to their direct reports. Watch how they handle questions. Watch how they give performance reviews. Watch how they give critical feedback. Ask to observe how the leaders 2 x levels up leads. 3 x levels up. Ask what informed the way they do things. Ask questions of what prepared them to lead? What books they read? What podcasts on leadership they listen to? Be a sponge. Take notes.

Your supervisor and other leaders within your organization are like beacons of wisdom, guiding you through the fog of uncertainty. Embrace the opportunity to learn from their experiences and perspectives. Just as a fledgling bird learns to fly by observing its elders, absorb the nuances of effective leadership through observation and mentorship. As Maya Angelou famously said, "When you know better, you do better." Explore "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't" by Simon Sinek to understand the qualities that distinguish exemplary leaders.

If you are neurodivergent I am going to give contrary advice in this section. Do not ask for feedback until you have created the kind of support that helps you recover from the fact most people are horrible communicators and project their flaws and biases onto others. Now that we have AI you can pick one and create a feed that is there to help you sort through conversation like this by telling it what you need from it. Does it replace advisors or coaches, nope, I wish it did, tried it. What it does do is help you anchor in what you learn about yourself from working with your advisors/coaches.

Consider what you appreciate in your manager’s leadership skills. Having a conversation with the them is a learning opportunity for you as well as an opportunity to provide them feedback as to what works for you with their style.

Expanding one's network is paramount for an intern or a young corporate entrant striving to develop leadership skills. However, the focus should not solely be on the quantity of connections but rather on cultivating meaningful relationships with individuals who can contribute to one's professional growth. Seeking out mentors and advisors within the organization or industry can provide valuable guidance and insights that accelerate learning and development. It's essential to approach networking with humility, recognizing that asking for help and guidance is not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of a willingness to learn and grow.

Find a mentor. A few qualities to seek in a mentor are: 1) Firstly, relevant fund of knowledge in the area you want advice on 2) Secondly, expertise and experience which they can use to help guide you 3) Outstanding energy and enthusiasm- it is important that your mentor is passionate about helping people further their career or skillsets. 4) The ability to give honest feedback- this means being able tough comments with accuracy but also mixing them with encouragement so that the person never feels completely defeated after trying something new and receiving criticism 5)Lastly, empathy towards you as a learner. It's essential that mentors feel solidarity with ambitious members willing to put 110% into mastering new techniques

Join and get involved in different professional associations. Take on leadership roles in the associations and work on expanding your network. When you start operating in leadership teams, no matter where you will naturally start to learn good and bad leadership practices that will serve you well as you develop your leadership skills.

BUILD TRUST There can be no denying that you need to expand your network. But how do you do that? Do you do that, keeping any short term gain in mind or you build the relationship for a lifetime. This will decide the quality of relationship and Its enduring impact on your business. First Step in this direction lies in building trust, which can be done by displaying a helping attitude. Be there and be of value without any expectations. It will bear fruits for Sure!

As an intern, one's scope and exposure is often confined to the line of business for the position. I encourage interns to share with their manager/sponsor, the desire to learn more about (a) the line of business they are supporting, so in addition to performing responsibilities request access to lunch with/interview/observe leaders in that vertical, and (b) express a desire to learn more about the business, and thus, be introduced to other verticals in the same way to learn and as a means to connect. I scheduled time with my interns each week that allowed for discussion of their project, as well as answering their questions and discussing ways to help them learn more/be introduced to others. Genuine networking is rewarding and helpful.

Embarking on a leadership development journey entails a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement. While securing a job may mark the beginning of the professional journey, true leadership development is an ongoing process rooted in a dedication to learning and growth. Leadership and learning are inherently intertwined, and stagnation in one's pursuit of knowledge can impede progress as a leader. Embracing a mindset of curiosity and openness to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences is crucial for staying relevant and effective in leadership roles. Whether through formal training programs, mentorship relationships, or self-directed learning initiatives, prioritizing continuous development ensures success.

One of the best fields to learn leadership skills (from a young age) is volunteer organizations, from firefighters to animal shelters, from charity organizations to student organizations. In such environments, you can hardly "power-play"—you must understand the motivation of others and find a way to channel their energies in the same direction.

KEEP AFLOAT In order to remain relevant as a Leader, you have got to keep yourself updated. It becomes all the more essential as we live today in 4.0 Industry,where there is a lot of emphasis on integration of technology, digitization and optimal production. But technology today is constantly getting modified and refined, giving you no option to ignore the innovation taking place. Hence, you need to keep yourself abreast of all new trends available in your domain. Only then, can you keep afloat !

As an intern looking to develop leadership skills, prioritize continuous learning and growth. Engage in opportunities to shadow leaders, participate in workshops, and seek mentorship from experienced professionals. Actively listen, observe, and absorb insights from team dynamics and decision-making processes. Take initiative on projects, demonstrate accountability, and foster collaboration among peers. Reflect on experiences to identify areas for improvement and set actionable goals. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and remain adaptable in evolving situations. By committing to ongoing development and embodying leadership qualities, you'll pave the way for future success in your career journey.

Some organisations may have certain or full benefits for interns. One of this benefits is the learning resources. Utilize them. It can either be general learning or internal learnings such as the organisation’s leadership programs or soft skills training tailored for the organisation. This will give you learning opportunities of the organisation and for your learning.

Examples I’ve seen are to lead group projects, seek volunteer roles, build trust, pay attention to details, actively listen, and offer help. Remember, leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about influence, collaboration, and making a positive impact

Mach dich bemerkbar, indem du Aufgaben, Projekte und damit Verantwortung übernimmst. Mach dich auch in Meetings sichtbar, indem du dich zu Wort meldest und versuchst deiner Anwesenheit einen Mehrwert zu geben. Sei mutig. Jeder Gedanke z?hlt. Deiner Rolle entsprechend, wird man nicht so kritisch sein.

In the landscape of professional development, interns possess a golden opportunity to cultivate leadership skills. Firstly, seek mentorship from seasoned professionals, absorbing their insights like a sponge. Embrace challenges eagerly, leveraging them as platforms for growth. Practice active listening and effective communication, essential traits for leadership. Volunteer for projects, showcasing initiative and reliability. Cultivate a growth mindset, embracing failures as stepping stones towards mastery. Lastly, seek feedback consistently, refining and adapting your approach. By embracing these strategies, interns can foster invaluable leadership qualities, laying the foundation for future success in any endeavor.

Beyond the tangible steps, consider the intangible qualities that define exceptional leadership. Cultivate empathy, resilience, and authenticity as cornerstones of your leadership philosophy. Remember that leadership is not a destination but a journey—a journey of self-discovery and service to others. Explore the teachings of Brené Brown in "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." to embrace vulnerability and courage in your leadership practice.

??Know Your Will & Way ??Your Will - Reason for Goal ???Your reason for wanting to be a leader (For self-drive and perseverance) ???Your development area (1 at a time) in relation to your strengths ??Your Way - Doing & Maintaining Goal ???How you will develop your leadership ???How to maintain the journey and not give up too easily ??Suggestions for Leadership Development ???Seek mentor (outside of work space) for advice ???Ask right questions to your manager you report to on leadership and management ???Observe behaviors of different leaders and managers and reflect on own development ???Read leadership & management books including: ?? One-Minute Manager ?? 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ?? Situational Leadership Etc.