With the economy still struggling to regain its footing and people all over still looking for jobs – or ways to advance within their current positions, going back to school for an advanced degree has practically become a necessity. While some people go for a degree related to their career or undergraduate field of study, such as an IT security degree, others seek degrees that are more broad-based and applicable to more industries and jobs.
One of those degrees is leadership. Whether you earn a degree specifically focused on leadership, or a MBA degree with a specialization in organizational leadership, the skills and knowledge you gain when you earn a master’s in leadership online are applicable almost anywhere.
Just because the skills you learn in leadership programs are applicable across all industries, though, doesn’t mean that everyone is really cut out to study leadership. There are certain qualities that make some people better-suited to study leadership than others. That’s not to say that anyone wouldn’t benefit from studying the principles and practices of leadership, just that if you demonstrate these qualities, you are more likely to enjoy your studies and use the principles in your future roles.
Focus on Your Goals
Leadership master’s degree programs vary in terms of their focus. Some programs have a more general focus, giving you a foundation in business strategy and management so you can effectively lead organization to long-term success and effectively manage change. Other programs focus on a specific area, such as nonprofit management, training and development or entrepreneurship. If you know what your career goals are and where your interests lie, you can choose the right program that will ignite your passion and keep you engaged.
Communication Skills
Think about the traits of some of the best leaders you know of and chances are communication skills top the list. In today’s world of instantaneous communication via text messages, email and social media, some younger people have trouble communicating effectively, but even some experienced professionals have difficulty expressing themselves effectively. Leadership relies heavily on communication and your leadership courses are likely to include a great deal of partnership and group work as well as written communication exercises, so good skills in this area are imperative.
Willingness to Change
It’s not uncommon for students to enter leadership programs and discover that almost everything they thought they knew about leadership is wrong. Studying this discipline requires an open mind and willingness to explore new ways to solve problems, work with others and make changes. If you think that you already know everything you need to know about being a leader and aren’t willing to try new ideas and explore new theories, leadership might not be the right program of study for you.
Confidence
Another common trait of effective leaders is confidence. Confidence takes several forms. First, you have to be a visionary, and be able to effectively and confidently communicate your vision for the organization and know what’s required to meet that vision. Second, a leader must be proactive and be willing to take that initiative. If you aren’t willing to do what it takes to get to where you want to go or you are the type of person who has to wait for the right circumstances before taking action, then you might not be cut out for a high-level leadership position.
While these traits are certainly helpful for success in a master’s level leadership program, some of these traits can be learned. And some argue that anyone can benefit from studying leadership. Understanding the essentials of effective leadership, teamwork, managing change and communication are useful in any context or role. Even if you opt not to earn a degree in leadership, taking at least a few courses in the subject can better prepare you for future jobs and even carry over into your roles at home and in the community. In fact, most programs of study require students to complete at least one or two courses in leadership for exactly this reason.
Deciding to go back to school for any subject is a major decision and choosing the right program for you is a major factor in your success. Consider your own personal traits and goals when comparing your options; that way you are guaranteed to make a choice that keeps you engaged and benefits you in the long run.
About the Author: Kelly Stapleton is working on earning her communication’s degree in Boston at the moment. She believes the keys to success are confidence and communication.
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