Comprehensive Low Cost Leadership Development Ideas

By Jeffrey Price


The world is in need of good leaders now more than ever. These are dynamic individuals who can take charge of complex brands and lead them into a profitable future with integrity. While internal training programs develop leaders, their skill set is limited. Personal development through low cost leadership development options is the best way to achieve universal skills.

Mentorship is an opportunity to spot, attract and maintain meaningful relationships. Mentors train you on the path to take especially through examples. A mentor should be accomplished in the area you intend to pursue. Look for a mentor within your department and outside your organization. Get a diverse pool including outside your industry. By the time all these ideas converge in your head, you will get the best cocktail to turn you into a global leader.

Have an accountability group. Mentors will direct you on skills and actions to take in order to grow. This is not enough. You need a person or group of people pushing you to achieve set goals within a certain time-line. The accountability team shares resources, encourages you and puts you on toes. When you are most discouraged, the group will support you to work towards set goals. It makes you guilty every time you fail them.

Be friendly and lovable. Leading is all about being trusted with people and resources. This can only happen if you relate well with them. Your seniors watch how you relate with others. They assign leadership roles based on social skills. Befriend your seniors, management, HR and other decision makers. Make sure that your work is noticed without compromising integrity or stepping on your peers.

Volunteers make excellent leaders. A volunteer is exposed to people, opportunities and ideas that would otherwise be impossible. For instance, when volunteering to organize an event for the office or register delegates for a conference, you have an opportunity to meet, chat and exchange contacts with persons you would never meet in ordinary duties. They will give you the next opportunity to lead. You also exercise your skills and attract their attention for being selfless. Including such opportunities boosts the skill set on your resume.

Take the cross function and lateral opportunities. Avoid obsessive focus on your skills, career and work place. If you are in marketing, learn and engage with social media or finance guys. Learn what accountants do despite being in communication. This understanding gives you a grasp of what the organization is all about. You will make decisions that are informed and holistic. This is what leaders are supposed to do.

Develop yourself as well. It is not all about careers. Endeavor to acquire a new set of skills from time to time. It could be a new language, short course, healthy diet, exercise, etc. This gives you control over your life and ultimately over those under your care.

Mentor someone. In life, it is said that you need two people. A mentor and a tormentor. Having looked at a mentor, it is time to focus on a tormentor. Being a mentor means that someone is looking up to you. This is enough encouragement to act accordingly and thus become better in what you do. You will give yourself no chance to fail.




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