Developing leadership skills is a key building block for anyone who wants to take on responsibility and successfully organise teams. Many top decision-makers ask themselves how they can systematically develop their skills. This is not just about classic leadership styles, but about a holistic profile that is made up of self-reflection, communication and strategic thinking. KIROI Step 9 offers a clear framework for this, which promotes individual strengths and specifically addresses areas for development.
Why building leadership skills is essential today
Today, companies expect more than just technical expertise from their managers. The ability to motivate people, shape change and promote a positive work culture is becoming increasingly important. Many clients report that they often feel insecure in complex situations or have difficulty resolving conflicts constructively. This is where leadership skills development comes in. It helps them to recognise their own patterns and develop new options for action.
A practical example: A manager in a medium-sized company had difficulties motivating her team. Through targeted reflection exercises and feedback sessions, she was able to improve her communication and build trust. Another example: a project manager in the IT sector learnt to defuse conflicts more quickly through active listening and empathetic feedback. A team leader in the healthcare sector also benefited from optimising his decision-making through structured reflection.
Developing leadership skills: methods and approaches
Self-reflection and feedback
Regular self-reflection is a central component of building leadership skills. Managers should become aware of how their decisions and behaviour affect others. Methods such as 360-degree feedback or structured reflection sessions are suitable for this. Many companies also use assessment centres to identify strengths and areas for development.
An example: A manager in the automotive industry received valuable information about her communication style through 360-degree feedback. She realised that she was often too direct, causing uncertainty among her employees. Through targeted exercises, she was able to adapt her communication and improve the team climate. Another example: a team leader in retail used regular feedback sessions to reflect on his leadership styles and try out new approaches. A project manager in mechanical engineering also benefited from optimising his decision-making processes through feedback.
Coaching and mentoring
Coaching and mentoring are proven methods for developing leadership skills. A coach or mentor supports managers in mastering individual challenges and developing new perspectives. The focus here is on practical application and continuous development.
An example: A manager in the financial sector worked with a coach to strengthen her self-regulation. She learnt to remain calm in stressful situations and to act in a targeted manner. Another example: a team leader in the healthcare sector benefited from a mentoring programme in which he received valuable tips from an experienced manager. A project manager in the IT sector also used coaching to reflect on his management style and try out new approaches.
Workshops and trainings
Workshops and training courses offer the opportunity to specifically strengthen skills such as communication, conflict resolution and team leadership. Practice-orientated seminars not only impart theoretical knowledge, but also concrete options for action in everyday working life.
An example: A manager in the logistics sector took part in a conflict resolution workshop. She learnt how to recognise conflicts at an early stage and deal with them constructively. Another example: a team leader in the retail sector benefited from a communication training programme and learned how to communicate clear goals. A project manager in mechanical engineering also used a seminar on team leadership to optimise his leadership style.
Building leadership skills in everyday life: practical tips
Building leadership skills is not a one-off process, but a continuous development. Managers should regularly schedule time for reflection and feedback. You can also start small experiments in everyday life to try out new leadership styles. It is important to be open to feedback and willing to work on your own weaknesses.
An example: A manager in the automotive industry held weekly reflection meetings with her team. She realised that she could improve the team climate through active listening and empathetic feedback. Another example: a team leader in the healthcare sector used regular feedback sessions to reflect on his leadership styles and try out new approaches. A project manager in the IT sector also benefited from optimising his decision-making processes through feedback.
My analysis
Developing leadership skills is a key building block for anyone who wants to take on responsibility and successfully organise teams. It helps you to recognise your own patterns and develop new options for action. Managers can systematically develop their skills through targeted methods such as self-reflection, feedback, coaching and workshops. Many clients report that they gain more confidence and clarity and can lead their teams more successfully by developing their leadership skills.
Further links from the text above:
Definition: Leadership competence
Strong managers: the top 5 competences
Developing leadership skills - examples, tips & tools
Trends in management development
Leadership skills: Success factors for good leadership
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