What is leadership development?
Most of the traits of successful leaders can be distilled down to two elements. They know how to: 1) Bring multiple teams together, 2) Make great decisions.
Gallup, It’s the Manager
Holding a leadership position doesn't automatically make someone a good leader. Leadership goes beyond a title or a function, beyond charisma or giving instructions – it refers to an individual’s ability to inspire, engage, and guide a group toward shared goals, while driving collective performance. Leadership is built on legitimacy earned through skills, strategic vision, and the ability to bring people together.
Leadership development is the ongoing process of learning, improving, and perfecting both human and management behaviors, skills, and practices that enable leaders to:
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Motivate and inspire employees, and give meaning to daily actions
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Set and communicate the strategic vision
- Manage change and keep teams aligned
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Create a positive work environment
The goal of leadership development is to build strong and inspiring leaders capable of driving operational performance, team engagement, and long-term success. By developing leaders’ skills – such as emotional intelligence, communication, and critical thinking – organizations ensure that strategy is effectively translated into action, and that teams are aligned, motivated, and empowered to do their best work every day.
Why is leadership development important
Leadership is essential in every aspect of life, whether in business, politics, sports, or society at large. That’s why leadership development must go beyond simply enhancing work skills and be recognized as a critical strategic approach to inspire, unite, and drive teams and organizations forward.
Improve individual and collective performance
Leadership development optimizes individual skills and strengths, empowering employees to contribute their best. By aligning talents with strategic and operational goals, it creates more efficient and competent teams, which leads to increased productivity and consistent achievement of objectives. Over time, both individuals and teams perform at a higher level, driving overall organizational success.
Promote innovation and adaptability
Effective leadership encourages anticipation of challenges and transforms obstacles into opportunities. Promoting initiative, experimentation, and the generation of new ideas, it fosters an environment where creativity, agility, and adaptability thrive. As a result, the organization becomes more competitive and resilient in constantly changing contexts.
Increase engagement and motivation
Developing leadership helps strengthen employee recognition, sense of belonging, and purpose. This boosts job satisfaction and creates engaged employees that are more committed, collaborative, and motivated to excel. Happier employees also reduces turnover, retaining talent and expertise, and supporting growth through workforce stability.
Create positive corporate culture
Leadership fosters benevolence, transparency, and integrity within the organization, resulting in greater trust from employees toward their leaders. This creates a positive work environment where respect, collaboration, and support thrive, strengthening engagement, retention, and overall organizational performance.
3 Core approaches to successful leadership
Leadership is a complex and evolving field, with many theories offering insights into what makes an effective leader. While numerous models exist, three approaches – situational leadership, transformational and transactional leadership, and leadership based on emotional intelligence – stand out for their practical impact and relevance across organizations.
1. Situational leadership
Popularized by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, this approach is founded on a simple idea – there is no universal leadership style. Effective leaders know how to adjust their behavior depending on circumstances and people involved. Rather than relying on a single style, leadership is flexible.
This theory describes four leadership types, each based on an employees' autonomy and competence levels:
- Authoritative: Suitable for beginners or inexperienced employees who need clear and precise instructions. The leader makes decisions and gives strict instructions to guide action.
- Persuasive: For developing employees who lack confidence or expertise. The leader remains present to guide and motivate, while explaining decisions to encourage learning and engagement.
- Collaborative: Ideal for teams that have acquired autonomy. The leader encourages contribution and collaboration, involving employees in decision-making to strengthen commitment.
- Delegative: Suitable for autonomous experts who have mastered their field. The leader grants great freedom, letting employees make decisions and manage their work independently.
2. Transformational and transactional leadership
Transactional leadership translates into a relationship of exchange – the leader sets objectives, provides guidelines and structure, and rewards achievements. This type of leadership is effective in environments where discipline and results are a priority (e.g., industrial production). Its key principles include rules, rewards, and measurable performance.
Transformational leadership is based on employee motivation and inspiration – the leader relies on the deep commitment of team members and pushes them to go beyond their limits by creating a strong and inspiring vision. This type of leadership is often found in tech companies and start-ups. Key principles are motivation, commitment, and innovation.
3. Leadership based on emotional intelligence
Successful leaders are not necessarily the most technical but the most emotionally intelligent.
According to science journalist Daniel Goleman, emotional quotient (EQ) is defining for leadership. A good leader can manage their emotions, understand those of others, and develop solid interpersonal relationships. This ability brings a more human dimension to leadership.
A study published in 2024 in the Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental revealed that leaders with high levels of emotional intelligence often demonstrate a range of behaviors that enhance their effectiveness, including optimized communication, better decision-making, and the ability to manage and resolve conflicts constructively.
Key pillars of leadership development
As explained, leadership is not solely determined by technical skills or title; rather, it is defined by a set of qualities and aptitudes that are developed and refined over time, with experience. An effective leader inspires, guides, and engages their team by relying on these strong foundational principles:
Introspection and emotional intelligence
Think of Socrates' famous "know thyself." Effective leadership begins with a thorough understanding of yourself. Understanding your own reactions and being able to identify your strengths and areas for improvement helps you embrace a more authentic and consistent leadership stance. Emotional intelligence plays a key role here, as it allows leaders to manage their emotions, adapt to difficult situations, and interact better with employees and colleagues.
A leader who can manage stress, show empathy, and distance themself from tension is better able to build trust and earn respect within their team.
Effective communication and active listening
A good leader knows that communication is crucial for building trust, efficiently guiding team members, and keeping them aligned. It is not just about passing on instructions or expressing ideas but also fostering constructive and engaging conversations.
Active listening helps you understand the needs and concerns of your employees and provide the right support. A leader who can express themselves in a benevolent and clear way encourages harmony and makes their team feel heard.
Strategic vision and decision-making
While managing in the present, a leader must also build for the future. A clear, strategic vision rallies employees around common targets, ensuring the company reaches its operational goals.
This strategic capability enables better decision-making by fostering clarity and sound judgment. Effective leaders know how to analyze situations, evaluate different options, and make consistent decisions, even in the face of uncertainty.
As leaders strengthen their ability to anticipate and guide, they become trusted and reliable points of reference for their teams.
Adaptability and resilience through change
Impactful leaders adapt to change without sacrificing stability. In the face of unforeseen events, crisis, or market shifts, resilience is essential to overcome adversity without panic and to sustain organizational performance.
Agile leaders adjust their strategies, encourage innovation, and reassure their teams during periods of transition. By cultivating this flexibility, they foster a dynamic of progress and continuous improvement rather than stagnation when facing challenges.
Lasting inspiration and impact
A leader drives commitment by creating collective momentum around a shared mission. They set the example, embody strong values, and encourage everyone to give their best.
A leader’s impact is measured by their ability to motivate employees, make them feel valued, and rally them around the organization’s vision. The more inspiring the leader, the stronger the team’s long-term engagement and performance.
Leadership development programs
Leadership development requires exploring multiple development strategies, combining structured learning, real-world experience, personalized support, and continuous self-reflection to build effective, adaptable, and inspiring leaders.
1. Training, coaching, and mentoring
Leadership training
There are several types of training courses available, depending on the manager's experience:
- Emerging leaders: Training is focused on the basics of operations and team management, and interpersonal skills.
- Intermediate managers: Training adresses strategy execution and decision-making, emotional intelligence, and conflict management.
- Senior leaders: Advanced training in transformational leadership, innovation, and large-scale change management.
Personalized leadership coaching
Leadership coaching is a personalized approach that enables the coachee to acquire the best management behaviors and practices, by perfecting their strengths, improving their weaknesses, and learning new skills. Working closely and regularly with their coach, the leader also learns how to support organizational strategy through consistent decision-making and overcome leadership challenges.
Coaching can be particularly valuable in the following situations:
- Taking on new leadership responsibilities
- Aligning the leadership culture across the organization
- Need to generate impact and performance
Mentoring
Mentoring allows you to benefit from the advice and feedback of an experienced leader. This type of support is based on exchanging knowledge and sharing best practices, all while providing access to a broader network to create new professional relationships.
Mentoring can be informal or offered through programs from specialized institutions.
2. Learning by experience and feedback
Field training
Practicing is one of the most effective ways to improve and solidify leadership skills, and measure your leadership effectiveness. Experimenting with different leadership styles to see what works best in various situations or with different team members can help you strengthen your abilities and make them second nature.
Here are some ideas to put your skills to the test:
- Lead a problem-solving session
- Delegate challenging tasks to employees
- Handle a difficult conversation
Every experience is a learning opportunity enabling you to adjust your approach.
360-degree feedback
360-degree feedback involves gathering input from colleagues and superiors to understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
Feedback is an insightful tool for leaders, providing an outside perspective on their leadership style, strengths and areas for improvement through objective and constructive comments. By actively listening to 360-degree feedback, leaders can adjust their behavior to better meet the expectations and needs of their team and organizational environment, ultimately becoming more effective in their role.
Learning from failure
Failure is often perceived negatively, but it is in fact highly instructive, indispensable even. Every failure is a step towards progress. The most successful leaders know how to analyze their mistakes, learn from them, and modify their approach.
Today's leadership is based on an essential ability – to learn, unlearn and relearn; a concept known as “learning agility”.
3. Personal development
Continuous improvement mindset
A leader never stops learning. Adopting a continuous improvement culture and mindset of personal growth means constantly developing for new leadership skills and practices.
Habits to develop include:
- Taking time to reflect on your successes and mistakes
- Observing inspiring leaders and learning from their practices
- Getting regular training on new management methods.
Tests and self-assessments
Personality tests and leadership assessment tools are handy because they help leaders improve self-awareness and better understand their emotions, reactions, strengths, and weaknesses.
The most used tests and self-assessment tools are:
- MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator): Analyzes functioning and preferences regarding communication and decision-making.
- DISC: Highlights dominant behavioral and relational style.
- StrengthsFinder (Gallup): Helps identify a leader's natural talents to make the most of them in leadership roles.
Studying subject-matter experts' theories
Developing leadership begins with personal growth, starting with reading. Certain books are frequently recommended by experts, including:
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, on commitment and trust within teams
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, on habits and self-discipline
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, on vulnerability, courage, and authenticity
- Absurd Decisions by Christian Morel, on decision-making and error analysis
Dynamic, easily accessible formats, podcasts are also great learning tools:
- Coaching for Leaders
- The Ed Mylett Show
- Leadership Biz Cafe
Developing leadership: The everyday road to positive impact and success
Leadership development is an ongoing process in which behaviors, skills, and practices must be continuously strengthened and refined through experience and reflection. Being a leader is a dynamic role that requires caring for your employees, engaging in self-reflection, adapting your approach, and cultivating an inspiring vision that drives results.
To begin this transformation, take a concrete action – ask your colleagues for feedback or set personal development goals, such as analyzing your leadership style or improving your communication skills. Beyond experience and introspection, leadership development programs like training and coaching provide a structured framework to enhance your competencies and amplify your long-term impact.
Whether you are a manager, an entrepreneur, or simply seeking personal growth, the question is not, “Am I a leader?” but rather, “How can I become a better leader today and tomorrow?” Leadership development is a continuous journey – take it one step at a time, and remember that every small improvement counts.
