3 Surefire Ways to Develop Student Leaders for the Future

As a leadership skills coach, part of my responsibility is to develop other leaders.

Peter Block is quoted as saying, “We get the leaders we create.” This could be in your workplace, community, school or even your home. Developing leaders is not something that should be taken lightly, nor is it something that we should expect others to know how to do. 

Leadership is a daily growth process which we will never outgrow. Once you think you have outgrown learning to lead, you are no longer a leader.

When developing other leaders, make it a point to meet them where they are at in the leadership development process. 

Someone new to this concept should not be thrown into situations that overwhelm them, nor should a seasoned leader be given a leadership responsibility that does not challenge them.

Developing Leaders 

Here are 3 ways to help develop student leaders who will soon be leaders in our communities, government and business organizations.

1. Lead By Example

Nothing shows leadership than someone who can be counted on.  Someone who does what they say they will do and who serves as a great role model to follow. Some of the best leaders have been those who have put in helping hand when needed, who knows their  students or employees on a personal level, not just on a professional one.  When you lead by example, there is no written script, and every take is live.  Leading by example demonstrates being ethical, trustworthy and honest. Your actions must be consistent with your words.  Leading by example, may be the best leadership development tool a leader can use.

2. Conduct Lesson Learned Reviews

A lessoned learned review can be structured or an unstructured process in deciphering what happened during an event, an assignment or project.  Having these sessions allows the participants to focus on both the positives and areas in which the individual or team could have done better.  Asking questions that will determine what happened, why it happened and how can it be done better is a good strategy.  Allowing the opportunity for open dialogue is the catalyst where the development begins.

3. Give Them More Responsibility

Give more responsibility to help grow their roles and confidence.  By doing this you do several things in developing others.  You give the student a sense of pride, and you develop trust and loyalty.  When you delegate duties to others, provide resources, expectations and get out of the way. Let them surprise you by their work and accomplishments.

Invest in Followers

The student will need to know you will be present for support and guidance, but resist the urge to fix the problem for them.  Think of duties or an assignment that focuses on their individual or team strengths that will help them now and in the future.

Great leaders use time to their advantage by investing in their followers. Leadership is not about you, it’s about others and stretching their potential. To be a great leader we have a responsibility to develop a leadership pipeline that will continue to grow.

I firmly believe that pipeline starts in the home, church and school. These tips can also be used in business and nonprofit organizations. They seem elementary, but often they are not practiced. Great leaders develop a continual flow of leaders while building a culture and mindset that leaders develop leaders.

I'd Like Your Feedback

What other tips or suggestions can you add in helping developing leaders?   Please comment below. Thanks!

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About the Author, Greg Martin
Greg currently works for Sedgwick County Department of Corrections and owns Martin Leadership & Management Development. He is an U.S. Army veteran and holds a MS in Leadership and Management from Friends University. Other posts by Greg »