Becoming a Leader in The Workplace: 5 Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills

Leadership skills are the traits and behaviors that allow you to effectively guide, inspire, and influence others toward achieving common goals and navigating times of uncertainty. 

They appear in many settings—from the sports field to the classroom, and even at home. You might see leadership in a friend who plans a group trip, a sibling who mediates a family conflict, or a partner who takes initiative during a stressful moment. 

Similarly, at work, leadership takes several forms: the colleague who organizes a chaotic project, the manager who mentors a new hire patiently, or the team member who steps up during a crisis to find a way forward.

Often, leadership isn’t limited to titles—it’s a mindset and a set of actions that anyone within an organization can exhibit. Whether or not you manage a team, how you communicate, take initiative, and support others can set you apart. Strong leadership skills boost team morale and productivity while elevating your professional reputation. 

As Ed Fidoe, CEO of The London Interdisciplinary School, puts it, “Leadership is about more than managing teams; it’s about helping people make sense of complexity and act with clarity. The best leaders create direction where there isn’t any and help others to thrive in uncertainty.”

Those who consistently demonstrate leadership are more likely to be trusted with high-impact projects and seen as ready to take the next step in their careers. 

“If you're aiming to step into formal leadership or simply stand out where you are, developing your leadership skills is a smart investment in your long-term career growth,” Ed adds.

But what exactly are leadership skills, and how do you build them? Let’s take a closer look at some key leadership skills that might be beneficial for you and your career.

Breaking Down Key Leadership Skills 

For Ed, a few skills rise to the top when considering the attributes that good leaders possess. 

The first is synthesis—the ability to move beyond a single lens and engage with diverse perspectives to navigate complexity with confidence and agility. 

He also emphasizes intellectual range, or the capacity to understand challenges through multiple lenses, whether economic, cultural, ecological, or technological.

Another is foresight—the ability to make decisions and projections, then reflect on outcomes to sharpen predictive skills and reveal blind spots.

Finally, Ed points out, systems thinking: recognizing the interconnections within complex systems to uncover hidden risks and opportunities, often through methods like systems mapping and modeling. 

For Dr Amelia Peterson, Director of The London Interdisciplinary School MBA program and formerly of both Oxford and Harvard, systems thinking is a fundamental leadership skill that often gets overlooked. 

“Being aware of the ‘system’ gives you lots of opportunities to create change,” she says. “With systems thinking, you can be a leader not just by putting out an inspiring vision and getting others to follow it, but by creating the conditions where others choose to act differently.”

The ability to navigate uncertainty is also key, she adds. “Leadership is about making decisions, even when things are uncertain. Should we be using more or less AI? Is hybrid work working? Is our business sustainable? Are we creating harms we’re not aware of? Do our customers care? Will things ever feel stable again? With so much uncertainty, it’s easy to slip into inertia and not get much done.” 

Combined, these skills equip leaders not just to react, but to thoughtfully guide others through complexity and change. 

Whether you're just starting out or already in a leadership role, there's always room to grow. With that in mind, here are five practical ways to build and strengthen your leadership skills.

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How to Develop Your Leadership Skills: 5 Options

1. Consider Pursuing Business School

If you're looking to build your leadership skills, applying to business school can be a smart move. A degree at business school can help you gain hands-on leadership skills training through business simulators and consulting projects. 

The typical MBA, for example, will dedicate a significant portion of the curriculum toward practical learning, which can help you learn to work with others and improve your communication and problem-solving abilities. 

Whether you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, switch industries, or start your own venture, business school can give you the tools, confidence, and connections to make it happen.

2. Enroll in a Leadership Skills Course Online

Another way you can work on improving your leadership skills is by enrolling in leadership training programs, short courses, or online certificates. These courses are often focused on communication, conflict resolution, or team management. 

Top universities and platforms ranging from Harvard Online to Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer flexible options to build your skills on a schedule that works for you.

When developing leadership skills, it’s important to focus not only on gaining knowledge but on applying it, too. As you complete these programs, look for ways to put what you're learning into practice at work.

 Whether it’s improving how you give feedback, learning to navigate tough conversations, or leading more inclusive meetings, growth happens through action.

One pro tip Dr. Amelia suggests is having a conversation with someone you disagree with. “Practice curiosity and try seeing a situation from their point of view,” she says.

3. Seek Out Leadership Opportunities in Your Current Role

You don’t need a formal title to be a leader. Look for chances to step up by volunteering to manage a project, mentor a new colleague, or organize team meetings. Or, even outside of work you could elevate to a leadership position in a sports team, club, or within your community. 

Everyday leadership opportunities let you work on developing skills like decision-making, delegation, and effective communication, all in real time. Taking initiative not only helps your team but also builds your confidence and visibility as a leader.

4. Ask for Feedback—and Use it

Even after gaining some of the key leadership skills, strong leaders are always learning and looking for ways to grow. One of the most effective ways to explore how to improve your leadership is by seeking honest feedback. 

In your current role, ask your manager, peers, or mentors for input on your leadership style. Then, use that feedback to identify specific areas for improvement and be open to adjusting your approach.

“Communication is a major part of leadership, and effective communication starts with knowing your audience and what makes sense to them,” says Dr Amelia.

Whether it’s improving how you communicate, delegate, or support your team, continuous learning is key to becoming a more effective and well-rounded leader.

5. Find a Mentor

It can be beneficial to find a mentor to help you work on your leadership skills. Learning from someone who has already walked the path of a leader can accelerate your growth. 

A mentor can offer another perspective, share hard-earned lessons, and help you navigate challenges more strategically. Look for a mentor within your organization or industry—someone whose leadership style you admire. 

Maybe you have a colleague or manager you admire. What leadership skills do they have that you would like to possess? Is there anything they have done for you that you have found truly helpful? Take note of those things.

Finally, don't underestimate the value of being a mentor yourself. Guiding others sharpens your communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills—all critical qualities of strong leaders. 

Whether you're receiving mentorship or offering it, these relationships can significantly strengthen your leadership mindset and abilities.

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