Developing certain skills early on in your career journey can help prepare you for what is to come in the future. While the technical skills that require vast amounts of knowledge and work to build are important in whichever industry you choose, well-developed soft skills can help you stand out as a valuable member of any team. These skills include communication, problem-solving, flexibility, leadership, and more. Some individuals may have innate characteristics that help them improve these skills faster than others, but there are plenty of ways to build them from the ground up.
In this blog, we will be looking at the development of effective leadership skills that can be utilized at any point in one’s career. One of the best ways to build leadership skills is with the help of a mentor. Mentors provide valuable advice and guidance that can help individuals grow and thrive in their personal and professional lives. 97% of individuals with a mentor feel they are highly impactful and valuable thanks to their support. Let’s delve deeper into the role of a mentor in developing leadership skills as well as a few additional tips for improving these critical abilities.
How a mentor can help with leadership development
1. Valuable guidance and insights
Mentors are typically individuals that already have much experience in their career and with leadership roles. They have faced similar challenges in their careers, so they are a strong asset in helping mentees overcome the obstacles in their paths and help them identify their leadership strengths as well as weaknesses.
Thanks to their years of experience with the twists and turns of leadership, mentors have a plethora of stories that they can share with their mentees that show what lessons they learned and failures that they overcame. These valuable insights can help mentees work on their problem-solving skills as well as leadership skills, which can go hand in hand.
2. Additional networking opportunities
With mentors already having so much experience in their field, they are bound to have a vast network consisting of many other experienced individuals that may have even helped shape them into who they are. This helps bring even more insights to the mentee and an even broader realm of experiences to learn from.
3. Feedback and accountability
Constructive criticism and feedback are very important when it comes to developing critical skills. Mentors can help their mentees identify the areas where they need to improve their leadership skills and provide guidance on how exactly they can do so.
87% of mentors and mentees say that their mentoring relationships have helped them build more confidence in themselves. Effective mentors are going to hold mentees accountable for their growth as leaders and challenge them to think outside the box and step outside of their comfort zone just enough that they can begin to thrive early on in their career.
Additional ways that you can develop leadership skills
1. Accept feedback and practice self-reflection
Good leaders are ones that are open to feedback that is given by those around them. It is important to acknowledge the opinions of others, and take the time to reflect on yourself and decide whether or not you need to change some of your actions. A sign of developed leadership skills is taking accountability for things that may need to be improved, and listening to those around you is crucial for that.
2. Look for opportunities to be a leader
There are always opportunities to build your leadership skills, both in and out of a professional setting. Look for activities in your community that may need volunteers and take the lead on it, or simply ask to lead a cooperative exercise at work or school to gain experience leading others.
3. Focus on communication and active listening
Communication and active listening skills are essential for good leadership. It is always important to let others know that you are listening to what they are saying and trying to convey. You can do this by repeating some of the things others are saying back to them to let them know you are actively trying to remember, and also by asking questions to show your interest in understanding their conversation fully.
In addition to being a good listener, it is crucial to consider practicing both your written and spoken communication skills when you are on the other side of the conversation. It is necessary to ensure that you are describing what you want clearly and effectively when speaking to others, and be confident in what you are saying in order to develop those leadership skills.
Having a mentor when you are developing leadership skills can prove to be a game changer, especially when you are in early career stages. Mentors provide valuable guidance, networking opportunities, and feedback that can help you improve your skills and better prepare you for the future of your professional life. Combining mentorship with the additional tips listed above, you have the potential to become a great leader and communicator.
Sources:
Comments