5 Qualities of Successful Student Leaders

• Are you looking to project the qualities of successful student leaders?
• Has becoming a student leader been on your radar lately?
• Do you have what it takes to effectively lead and inspire a group of your peers?
• Do you want to explore what it takes to become a better leader?

If you answered yes, you’ve stopped by the right place. By zooming in on the qualities of successful student leaders, you create an opportunity to develop and refine qualities that will prepare you for success in school, college, and life.

Honing in on the qualities of successful student leaders offers a wide range of benefits, including a leg up on college applications and even a higher future earning potential. According to one study published by the Harvard Review, students with proven high school leadership skills will ultimately earn up to 33% more in their future jobs than those without them. One of many good reasons to amp up your leadership game.

Master These Traits and Become a Successful Student Leader

Exceptional student leaders exhibit certain qualities that support their goals and showcase their ability to lead. The following five traits are essential for successful leadership at any age.

Stay Authentic

One of the essential qualities of successful student leaders is authenticity. Influential leaders gain the trust of those they are leading. Student leaders who display authenticity gain the trust of others. When leaders remain unwaveringly straightforward and honest, even when faced with challenges, others understand what they stand for and respect them for it.

A great example pertains to the student government official. Strong student government leaders will stay true to the ideals that got them elected and remain consistent throughout policymaking. Authenticity as a leader encompasses staying true to oneself and the values that are important to you.

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." —Martin Luther King Jr.

Keep an Open Mind and Listen

Any list of qualities of successful student leaders would also include keeping an open mind and being a strong listener. Open communication and consideration of all ideas foster a creative and collaborative environment. A good student leader is comfortable handling suggestions and adapting to changing situations. Listening is undoubtedly one of the critical qualities of a good student leader. To illustrate the importance of a real-world example, check out a recent report that determined that when team members feel that leaders listen, they are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform to the best of their ability.

Know How to Delegate Tasks to Achieve Common Goals

Delegation is another of the essential qualities of a successful student leader. A strong student leader knows when to take the reins and when to loosen them up. When it comes to important projects and deadlines, part of leadership is understanding when and how to allocate responsibility to those around you. As the leader, you will also be willing to go above and beyond to get it done, leading by example.

Learn From Mistakes to Improve for the Future

Being able to learn from one’s mistakes is among the vital qualities of successful student leaders. Especially for the newbie student leader, there is bound to be the occasional misstep or an incident when the plan goes wrong. Strong leaders take responsibility for the outcome, never shirking responsibility or playing the blame game. A quality student leader uses experiences as a chance to learn and grow. Former President Harry S. Truman famously had a sign on his desk that read, “The buck stops here.” The sign served as a reminder that he accepted ultimate responsibility for his decisions, right or wrong.

Seek Knowledge

A good student leader continuously seeks knowledge. Successful student leaders develop their skills to stay on top of their game and inspire those around them. One way to accomplish this is by hands-on learning programs focusing on leadership traits essential for student government roles.

One of the overarching qualities of successful student leaders is that they realize that the development of these skills is a lifelong process. With the right mindset, student leaders can cultivate skills that will translate into leadership success early on. These skills, especially when developed early on, can lead to better opportunities during high school and college that contribute to lifelong advantages. By consistently nurturing the capacity for insightful strategy, clear communication, creative vision and bringing out the best in others, student leaders will be prepared to powerfully lead in middle and high school, college, in their careers and in the community.

Envision by WorldStrides, a leading hands-on learning resource for students, helps future leaders gain real-world tools for leadership and career exploration in fields such as STEM, medicine, engineering, law, and national security. We offer programs that foster leadership growth for students just like you, helping with preparation for the future.

Whether you are looking to explore a specific career path or simply explore, check out the options WorldStrides has to offer to grow into the leader you were born to be.