Developing Leadership Skills Today in Tomorrow’s Leaders

Leadership development programs benefit youth by giving them opportunities to explore various definitions and roles of leaders in the world and to develop the skills they will need to lead and influence others in the future. Some of the most important skills that youth leadership programs teach include:

Communication Skills

The ability to articulate a clear, inspiring message and have it heard and understood by countless others is one of the most important assets of any leader. Communication, like leadership, is an umbrella term that involves many diverse aspects—from the basics of writing and public speaking, to marketing the message, spinning it for different audiences, and coming across in a style (not too passive, not to aggressive, but just assertive enough) that appeals to those you are trying to persuade. Communication skills also have everything to do with receiving information. Effective listening skills are among the most critical abilities that youth leadership development programs can offer.

Accountability and Responsibility

One of the things people always want to know about a leader is if they can walk the walk as well as they can talk the talk. Effective leaders understand how to be responsible for their actions and accountable to others for their decisions. Inspiring leaders know that leading by example is more impactful than leading by authority, on any given day. Leadership development programs teach teens how to use power and position wisely, especially when it comes to making tough decisions.

Managing the Details While Understanding the Big Picture

Youth leadership development programs give teens a sense of the complexity of leadership, teaching the differences between basic management of everyday operations (which is incredibly important and not to be understated) and overall leadership of diverse groups of people toward a common goal. Leadership training combines coaching in everyday skills of negotiation, conflict resolution, and delegation with understanding of overall vision, inspiration and goal-orientation.

Leadership is not something that everyone aspires to. Effective leaders must have a thick skin (to say the least) along with the long-list of competencies, skills, and abilities noted above. Yet the fruits of effective leadership—the opportunity to bring about important changes and meaningful results—are extraordinary. Youth leadership programs provide opportunities for young people to develop the right combination of talents to inspire, to influence, and to truly lead their peers toward the bright future they all want in common.