Skills Every Young Leader Needs

As part of our Youth Month celebration, we’re focusing on the key skills that every young person needs to thrive in today's world: COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL THINKING, and ADAPTABILITY. These skills are not just buzzwords—they are essential for personal growth, career success, and making a positive impact in your community.

In this blog post we’ll provide practical tips on how to develop these skills and share insights from three young individuals who have benefited from mastering these skills.

HERE ARE TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN DEVELOP THESE SKILLS AND TAKE YOUR POTENTIAL TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

Tips to Develop Communication Skills:

1. Practice Active Listening

• Pay close attention to the speaker, avoid interrupting, and show that you’re engaged through nodding and eye contact.

2. Expand Your Vocabulary:

• Read widely and learn new words to express your thoughts more clearly and effectively.

3. Join Public Speaking Groups:

• Participate in groups like Toastmasters to practice speaking in front of others and receive constructive feedback.

4. Engage in Conversations:

• Regularly engage in meaningful conversations with diverse groups of people to understand different perspectives.

5. Seek Feedback:

• Ask friends, family, or colleagues for feedback on your communication style and areas for improvement.

Tips to Develop Critical Thinking Skills:

1. Ask Questions:

• Develop a habit of questioning assumptions and seeking evidence. Use questions like "why," "how," and "what if" to deepen your understanding.

2. Analyse Arguments:

• Practice breaking down arguments to evaluate their validity and identify logical fallacies.

3. Read Diverse Sources:

• Engage with a wide range of materials from different fields and viewpoints to broaden your perspective.

4. Practice Problem-Solving:

• Take on activities that require problem-solving, such as puzzles and strategy games. Approach problems methodically.

5. Reflect and Evaluate:

• After making decisions, reflect on the outcomes to understand what worked well and what didn’t.

Tips to Develop Adaptability Skills:

1. Embrace Change:

• View change as an opportunity for growth. Stay positive and open to new experiences and ideas.

2. Learn Continuously:

• Commit to lifelong learning through courses, workshops, and keeping up with industry trends.

3. Develop Resilience:

• Build resilience by facing challenges head-on and learning from setbacks. Practice stress-management techniques like mindfulness and exercise.

4. Be Flexible:

• Be willing to alter your plans or approaches when necessary. Embrace feedback and adapt your strategies.

5. Expand Your Comfort Zone:

• ?Regularly push yourself to try new things and step outside your comfort zone.

Listen to one of our Young leaders share their insights on why Youth need communication, critical thinking and adaptability skills to succeed in today’s world.

Koketso Mabilesta - A young leader and entrepreneur who actively participates in business summits recently secured a spot in building her business. Effective communication has been one of her instrumental in networking with like-minded individuals, enabling her to identify opportunities and excel in business summits, ultimately earning her a coveted spot.

Her advice is:?Effective communication is crucial for youth success as it fosters knowledge growth, adaptability to change, and the ability to positively impact future generations.

Koketjo Hlagala - A young leader, activist, and entrepreneur who started their own clothing business a few years ago continues to utilize and refine these essential skills. They leverage their communication, critical thinking, and adaptability to drive their success and make a positive impact in their industry and community.

His advice is: For youth to succeed in today's world, critical thinking is essential. It helps you analyze information and make informed decisions, ensuring you are accountable for your actions. This skill has helped me think outside the box during my journey of pursuing my business. To this day, I continue to utilize critical thinking to maintain my personal and professional growth.

?

Mihle Ntamo - Is a young leader in her career development who has demonstrated excellent skills. She possesses strong abilities, great interpersonal skills, and self-mastery. As a problem solver and strategic thinker, these essential skills have significantly contributed to her career growth.

Her advice is: Youth to succeed they have to accept that the world is evolving, and things changes as well as times are different. People move from different kinds of place just to find comfort and adapt to changes. Adaptability defines resilience. When we adapt more, we are prominent to survive, accept change?and?do?better.

This Youth Month take the next step in your JOURNEY by enrolling in these recommended free courses and start building these crucial skills:

Communication: Free Course | Basic Course in Human Communication (hub4africa.bayern) hub4africa

Critical Thinking: Thinking Critically Free Online Course | Alison

Adaptability: Adapting to Change: Agility in Business | Free Online Course | Alison

Developing communication, critical thinking, and adaptability skills can significantly enhance your ability to connect with others, solve problems, and navigate change. These skills are essential for personal and professional growth, and by committing to continuous improvement, you can unlock your full potential.

#YouthMonth2024 #LeadershipSkills #YouthEmpowerment #GetInvolved

In celebration of Youth Month, Orange Memo Careers is excited to offer free Career Counseling and CV Reviews! This initiative aims to empower young professionals and recent graduates with personalized career advice and expert CV feedback. Seize this opportunity to advance your career with guidance tailored to your goals. Book your free session now and take the first step towards a brighter future.