Six tips for emerging young leaders

Being a good leader when you’re young can seem daunting, but don’t let your age stop you from being the best leader you can be. Whether you’re in politics, activism or in school, being a leader in your community can open doors and better prepare you for your future. If you are looking to step into a leadership position or already serving in one, check out these tips to be even more effective and successful. 

1. Be open to suggestions 

You might find yourself in situations throughout your life where you receive feedback about the way you handled a situation or your process. During these times especially, it’s important to take in that feedback, be grateful for the suggestions and adjust your process accordingly. That way, you know how to handle the situation better next time. 

A good leader knows how to listen to what others say and take away what’s necessary for self-improvement. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, but be open to learning from them. 

2. Be understanding and compassionate 

As a leader or leader-in-training, it’s imperative that you’re attentive, especially when others rely on you. By paying attention to what others are saying and doing, your team/community members will feel heard and be more likely to share ideas. Emotional intelligence is also a key part of being an effective leader, especially in one-on-one situations. 

3. Be motivational and inspire others 

There are times when your community or those around you will need some extra motivation, and it’ll fall on you to rally them. When you energize others, you inspire them to continue taking action for important issues. Another way to motivate others is to recognize their accomplishments and contributions. After all, teams are critical to success.

Just remember that you should take time for yourself too. Energizing others can sometimes take a toll on you, so make sure to think about your wellbeing.  

4. Be humble 

We all still have a lot to learn. It’s amazing to be seen as a leader at a young age but keep in mind that you might just be starting out and you don’t have to know everything. You just have to be willing to learn and never stop improving. Being humble and taking accountability, while still being confident in your decisions, will earn you the respect you deserve along the way. 

5. Be an effective communicator 

When you’re a leader, you’re going to be sharing ideas and concepts that are important for your community/team. The success of you and your team relies on you being a good communicator and effectively sharing your ideas in a way that’s easy to understand. Being an effective communicator ties back to every area of being a successful leader. You need to communicate well to motivate others, to make them feel heard and to learn how you can improve. 

6. Be aware of your leadership style 

One of the most important parts of being a leader is knowing what kind of leader you are. This will help you understand what your strengths and weaknesses are and what areas need improvement. Personality tests might also provide insight into what your leadership style is, so check out assessments like the MBTI. 

Ready to be a leader? Join IGNITE and start training with us today.