Future Leaders, Take Note: 10 Key Leadership Skills for Youths

India is anticipated to integrate nearly 270 million(1) working-age adults into the population by 2040. However, the big question is: Are the Indian youths adequately prepared for the demands of the future workforce?  The significance of transferable life and employability skills in youths has never been more crucial, given the dynamic nature of the evolving job market.

According to the Harvard Business Review article(2), not just skilling and education, applying acquired skills emerges as one of the most significant challenges. It also recognises the need for leadership skills that align with the current complex environment, extending beyond the C-suite to all organisational levels. Intriguingly, another media article(3) disclosed that India will require nearly 10,000 business leaders annually from this point forward.

Therefore, it unequivocally communicates a clear message to all those committed to youth skilling—that it is now imperative to prioritise cultivating leadership skills in the younger generation. Legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders are not born; they're made.”

Now, let's delve into what it takes to 'make' a leader; here are 10 pivotal leadership skills:

1. Collaboration 
   1. Facilitating effective collaboration within a group is integral to creating a cooperative and synergistic work environment. Proficient teamwork is a vital element of leadership, allowing leaders to leverage the strengths and skills of individuals. This collaborative effort propels the team in a unified direction toward shared goals.


2. Volunteering
   1. Self-discovery is one of the initial stages of becoming a more effective leader. Volunteering is a valuable tool to explore your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and values. Through various roles and tasks, you can discern what brings you satisfaction, where your strengths lie, and areas for improvement. Seeking feedback from fellow volunteers, supervisors, or programme participants offers valuable insights that can be used to enhance your skills and refine your goals.


3. Communication Skills
   1. Involves clearly conveying ideas, active listening, and expressing thoughts effectively, which is essential for leadership and collaboration. Possessing a brilliant idea isn't enough; convincing others is crucial for impactful leadership. Successful leaders don't just recognise the importance of effective communication; they actively study and refine their skills in writing, speaking, and presenting, understanding the pivotal role these skills play in achieving leadership success.


4. Problem Solving
   1. In the era of artificial intelligence, and an unpredictable future, the emphasis on effective leadership has intensified. Now, more than ever, leaders must hone critical problem-solving skills. Problem-solving involves the ability to seek, identify, and define the problem, generate alternatives or potential solutions, evaluate and choose between them, and finally, act on the selected solution to reach a goal.


5. Digital Skilling
   1. Digital Skilling stands as an indispensable leadership skill. Leaders must grasp the latest technologies pertinent to their industry and comprehend their potential for driving innovation and efficiency. Whether it's data management, remote team coordination, cybersecurity awareness, or AI, ongoing learning is imperative, given the evolving technology trends and ethical considerations shaping the digital landscape.


6. Entrepreneurial Spirit
   1. An entrepreneurial spirit is a self-motivated mindset that propels individuals to realise their potential. This intangible force shapes action-oriented, productive, decisive, inspirational, and innovative leaders. It represents a form of intrinsic motivation that drives change and innovation, inspiring individuals to tackle complex challenges and contribute to making the world a better place.


7. Critical Thinking
   1. In today's swiftly changing business environment, critical thinking is an indispensable skill for leaders. Exceptional leaders enhance their decision-making, solve problems more effectively, promote innovation, and cultivate a more inclusive and high-performing team through developing and applying critical thinking skills.


8. Self-awareness
   1. Self-awareness represents a conscious understanding of one's character, behaviours, and motives, enabling individuals to comprehend their strengths and areas for improvement. This is why it's important for a leader; when leadership is rooted in self-awareness, the company's productivity tends to mirror these qualities.


9. Empathy
   1. Individuals with empathetic leaders tend to report greater innovation and contribute to shaping positive organisational cultures. These leaders foster an environment where understanding and compassion drive collaboration, employee satisfaction, and overall success.


10. Adaptability
    1. In the ever-changing landscape of both business and life, adaptability emerges as a crucial factor. Leaders who exhibit adaptability, foster innovation, and champion diversity position themselves for a competitive edge and sustained success. Skilfully navigating change requires leaders to take calculated risks, nurture a growth mindset, and advocate for organisational adaptability and creative thinking.

Did You Know?

Mastering essential transferable life and employability skills is key for launching young individuals into a transformative journey, boosting their job market prospects. These crucial skills—adaptability, effective communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence—are indispensable in any professional setting. Young professionals, demonstrating versatility and value across disciplines, become essential assets, excelling in their roles and opening doors for career growth. 

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Research 1:https://ig.ft.com/india-population/
Research 2 : https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-future-of-leadership-development
Research 3: https://etinsights.et-edge.com/india-will-witness-burgeoning-demand-for-ceos-in-the-next-decade/