Much has changed in higher education today thanks to virtual classrooms, video-recorded lectures, and declines in residential four-year degrees. Still, leadership skills continue to enable students to transform themselves, their communities, and the world for the better. Look no further than The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) for college leadership programs, training, and development.
The NSLS is the only accredited leadership honor society in the US. We help students develop key skills through a well-rounded membership experience that specifically enhances the skills students might be missing in their standard coursework.
What is a College Leadership Program?
College leadership programs aim to help students develop key leadership skills that can be utilized inside and outside of the classroom. Training typically features skill-building programs focusing on goal-setting, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and more. They also offer some combination of mentorship and coaching, influential guest speakers, job resources, internships, scholarships, and networking events.
Before joining a college leadership program, it’s a good idea to take stock of the skills you already have and those that need further development. Let’s take a look at some common leadership skills that you should pay specific attention to.
Are Your Leadership Skills up to Par?
To be a successful leader today, you need to exhibit a range of leadership attributes. Here are six attributes that will help you succeed:
Likeability. Most people gravitate toward individuals they enjoy working with and trust. So, to succeed in the long term, leaders must be likable, or they will find it difficult to connect with others. Many people are born with likeability, but it is a quality you can develop and continue to hone.
Effective Communication. Communication is one of the most critical leadership skills, which makes information easy to understand and remember. Great communication is a skill that can be taught and enhanced over time.
Decisiveness. It’s not always easy to make key decisions, but influential leaders are comfortable taking on responsibility and being held accountable for the outcomes of their choices. Decisiveness can lead to direct action, making goals more achievable in less time. Leadership development programs like those offered by the NSLS help increase this attribute.
Accountability. Even great leaders make mistakes. Pretending you don’t, making excuses for your choices, or blaming others will erode your level of trust and discourage others from being accountable for their own mistakes. By focusing on discipline and follow-through, great leaders typically take more than their share of the blame and less than their share of the credit.
Integrity. In the words of author C.S. Lewis, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” In addition to truthfulness and honesty, it also means having strong values. Leaders with a strong sense of integrity encourage fair outcomes and set positive examples for others.
Humility. Great leaders create positive environments and prioritize the overall well-being of others. Outstanding leadership focuses on group dynamics more than self-promotion. Humility can make you more receptive to feedback from others and open you up to new ideas and solutions.
Develop Your Skills with the NSLS
Becoming an effective leader requires developing these key skills and more. A great way to get started is to join a college leadership program like the NSLS. Get involved today at local chapters on over 700 campuses. If there is no chapter at your university, start one through our internship program.
