A leader can be more than just a job title. Being a good manager or leader comes down to skills, experience, and knowledge. Whether you are in a management position already, or if you are aspiring to be, you might be looking at how to improve your management and leadership skills. There are many things you can do, and it often takes years of experience and training, but there are some simple ways you can get started, no matter your current position or industry.

1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses — even great leaders. 

To be an effective leader, you’ll need to figure out what you might be missing from your skill set that will benefit leadership or management roles. 

For example, many people  have a fear of public speaking. This would need to be addressed, as it would negatively impact your success in management or leadership roles where you might be required to speak to large groups.

Once you identify your strengths and weaknesses, you will know what areas you need to improve, as well as what strategies you can use to make the most of your existing skill set.

2. Look to other leaders for inspiration

A very effective way you can learn to be a better leader is by observing what makes other leaders successful.

Many people seeking to improve their management or leadership skills might look for a mentor. A leadership mentor can provide you with advice, experience, insights, and guidance on your career journey. 

You might be able to find a mentor at your current workplace. Many leaders are  willing to take on a mentee, and some organizations will have mentoring programs.

If mentorship is not an option you can still find guidance by looking for leaders outside your workplace, either in your personal life or even just through your own research — learning online or through books and other resources. 

You should ask yourself: what makes/made these other leaders effective? And what can I learn from them?

3. Pay attention to workplace meetings or discussions

You can learn a lot by paying close attention during workplace meetings and discussions. As you sit in during meetings, try asking yourself questions. Consider what parts of the discussion work well, if people seem engaged, if anything could be done better.

On top of observing these discussions, you should also try taking a more active role in them. Speaking up will not only help you learn, it will show your current management that you are eager to be involved, which could benefit your career progression later on. 

4. Ask for feedback

If you are trying to improve your ability to manage or lead, asking for feedback is a fantastic way to grow.

You can ask your fellow employees for an assessment on the skills applicable to your current role, or your leadership or management skills if suitable. 

You could also talk to your boss or manager about building up your skills, and they should be able to provide you with some assistance. Usually bosses and managers are eager to help employees develop, especially if those skills will make you a better worker overall. 

5. Further Education

For many people, management and leadership skills don’t come naturally.

If you are wanting to move up into a management or leadership role you might benefit from further education.  

You can learn how to be a better leader or manager through a specialized degree, such as an online Ed.D. in Higher Education.

Your workplace might also offer its own leadership or upskilling courses. These are often free and can be done at work, so are worth looking into if you are interested in them.

6. Seek out leadership opportunities

If you want to improve your management or leadership skills then this step is crucial. Some parts of knowing how to be an effective manager or leader can only come from experience.

Volunteering or stepping into a leadership role will give you a chance to try out new skills, as well as an opportunity to test some of the other methods mentioned in this article.

There will always be opportunities for you to step up or take the lead in situations. The important thing is to keep an eye out and recognize these opportunities when they come. 

Improving your management and leadership skills might seem easier said than done, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of steps you can take in your current position, no matter your job title or industry, to put yourself on the path to a successful career in leadership.