Leadership - it's all about practice

Leadership can be learned. When people want to become really good at something, such as a sport, they practice, read, watch others play, ask for feedback, reflect on their practice and adapt their technique.

We can apply the same approach to developing leadership skills. And the best part is that U of T is a wonderful place to develop and practice leadership.
 

It all starts with getting involved in something that’s close to your heart, something that you feel drawn to — a club, committee, student society, mentorship program, research group, or team. Whenever you’re in a group that’s working towards a common goal, you experience the process of leadership. However, in order to learn more about yourself and to really grow as a leader, you need to be intentional about your leadership development.

This means learning about leadership theories and styles and gaining new skills such as emotional intelligence, conflict de-escalation, participatory decision-making, and group facilitation, and then reflecting on your learning. Some students create leadership portfolios to keep track of their experiences and their learning.
 

You can also develop leadership skills through training. The Leadership Educators and Resources Network (LEARN) is a group of U of T students and Student Life staff that facilitates leadership workshops across campus. Many leadership workshops are also offered in your college or department — take advantage of them.
 

To learn more about leadership and how you can make the most of your experience at U of T, contact:

leadership@utoronto.ca