VIEThe term ‘leadership skills’ typically brings to mind CEOs and other senior executives. Yet in today’s fast-changing world – where individuals are expected to be independent, innovative, and accountable- leadership is no longer reserved for adults. It has become an essential competency that should be nurtured as early as the school years.
Leadership is not about titles. It’s not simply being the class president, the club chair, or the team leader. True leadership is the ability to influence, inspire, and coordinate both yourself and those around you toward a shared goal.
For students, this can begin with the smallest actions: taking ownership of their study schedule, motivating friends to join community initiatives, or making sound decisions when facing challenges.
Why Should Students Develop Leadership Skills Early?
- Developing Independence and Personal Resilience
Leadership skills empower students to make independent decisions, take ownership of their choices, and stay true to themselves rather than follow the crowd. In an academic environment that increasingly demands adaptability and self-direction, this foundation is essential.
- Building Confidence in Communication and Relationships
Students who learn to listen, empathize, and express themselves clearly can integrate more easily into any environment while creating a positive impact on peers, teachers, and their wider community. Leadership is about connection, not command.
- Strengthening Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Great leaders don’t avoid challenges – they face them head-on. Leadership training helps students analyze situations, assess risks, and make sound decisions – even without adult guidance.
- Preparing for a Global Future
Universities and international organizations increasingly value leadership qualities – not just through grades, but through real-world experiences such as Model United Nations, social initiatives, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles in student clubs. Leadership is a powerful signal of a student’s potential for holistic growth.
How Can Students Practice and Strengthen Leadership Skills?
Leadership is not an inborn talent—it is a skill that can be developed through the right environment, consistent practice, and proper guidance.
Ways students can begin cultivating leadership skills:
- Join extracurricular activities, clubs, or community projects to gain firsthand experience in organizing, guiding, and collaborating with peers.
- Work with a personal mentor or join a structured mentoring program to receive inspiration, unlock their innate leadership potential, and gain valuable feedback for steady growth.
- Practice active listening, empathy, reflection, and teamwork, shifting the focus from individual achievement to collective success.
- Create small but meaningful impact by proposing positive changes, connecting classmates, or resolving conflicts – each step builds real leadership experience.
Mentors14 – Nurturing Leadership from the Start
At Mentors14, leadership development isn’t treated as a separate goal – it’s an integral part of helping students discover their personal identity and build self-direction. Through our mentoring model, students gain more than academic guidance: they are inspired to become positive influencers, make choices aligned with their values, and build meaningful connections with others.
A mentor does not teach students “how to be a leader.” Instead, they help students uncover their own voice, values, and leadership style – then guide them to strengthen these qualities through real experiences and purposeful growth.
Leadership Has No Age – But It Must Start Early
Leadership isn’t something you wait to develop until you’re given a title. It’s a personal journey – and the earlier students begin, the more fully they can grow. From decision-making and teamwork to problem-solving and the ability to inspire others, leadership skills provide a foundation for lifelong success.
When students learn to lead themselves first, they take the most important step toward becoming someone who can guide and motivate others – regardless of age, role, or environment.
(Read the Vietnamese version here)