Comprehensive Low Cost Leadership Development Ideas

By Jeffrey Price


There is need for leadership today than any other time in history. Integrity, a proactive spirit and dynamism are at an all time low. While organizations provide training opportunities, they seek to develop the skills they need. It is upon you to find low cost leadership development opportunities to boost the knowledge you have already acquired. The set of skills needed today should have a holistic and universal appeal.

The idea of a mentor is an opportunity to identify, link and maintain a growth oriented relationship. You get training through engagement and most importantly by example. Look for a person who is accomplished in the area you target to lead. This could be in your department or organization. Look beyond for leaders in other fields to create a pool where the best ideas are gathered. Many mentors enable you to select the best ideas, develop a personalized cocktail and thus be more versatile in your leadership.

Go for an accountability group. While mentors cultivate your ability and push you to achieve desired goals, an accountability group keeps you motivated and in check. It could be a person you call every day to report progress and seek encouragement. This gives you an opportunity to share goals and resources. It is from this group that you will get valuable contacts and the push to pursue your goals when you are most discouraged.

Pleasant and sociable people make the best leaders. Leadership revolves around taking charge of resources and people. You must thus be good at making friends and relationship building. Your seniors watch your relationships and how profitable they are. The HR will also recommend a person who is easier to relate with. Avoid stepping on peers or compromising your integrity.

Volunteer your skills every time you get the chance. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to meet people. Consider working at the registration desk during a conference. Sit in a committee within your association or organize a day out for executives. Volunteering should aim at exercising your skills. This will fill gaps in your experience and work sections on your resume. The experience gained and contacts collected will prove valuable in future.

Consider the lateral and cross function opportunities that come your way. Leadership is about managing complex situations. While you are a marketer, it helps to know what finance or social media guys do. Spend a few minutes at the reception or with accountant. You have a grasp of what running an organization means. Your decisions will therefore be holistic.

Work on self. A lot of attention goes to leading in your work place, peer groups, organizations, etc. Keep tabs with global trends and acquire new skills every so often. Endeavor to learn a new language, short course, take up exercises, eat better, etc. A person in control of his life is better positioned to take up leadership over other people.

Being a mentor is like having fire under your seat or a camera watching every action. It demands the best out of you since someone considers you a role model and is watching. It takes away the thoughts or chances of failure. As such, you will work harder at personal level eliminating any chance to fail. You cannot relax when someone is looking up to you.




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