personal statement on leadership and influence

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Leadership Personal Statements Samples For Students

35 samples of this type

Do you feel the need to examine some previously written Personal Statements on Leadership before you start writing an own piece? In this open-access catalog of Leadership Personal Statement examples, you are given an exciting opportunity to discover meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Applying them while crafting your own Leadership Personal Statement will surely allow you to finish the piece faster.

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Over the past few years, I have attained a blend of diverse scientific knowledge, time management and analytical skills. Being born in a period where science thrives and is persistently employed as a foundation to resolve all individual’s problems, I yearn for the knowledge it bestows. Life as a student at University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, brought rewards and challenges that I think promoted and contributed volumes of positive effort into my temperament.

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Choosing a proper and successful lifetime career path is not an easy task to accomplish. Curriculum Vitae is considered to be the first step while starting any career – only in case you can make a prominent CV self-presentation demonstrating appropriate skills and abilities, as well as experience, you have a chance to acquire a perfect career of your dream. Considering all this, I decided to take a Curriculum plus unit as a means to enhance and develop my resume as well as realize my personal and professional skills, work on them and improve them in the process of studying.

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On most occasions, when I look at myself in a mirror I never cease to recognize a change in how look-not physically but professionally. In less than five years, I have transformed from being an individual who was by all means clueless of what he would want to become into an overly focused individual with an unfeigned interest in business administration. I graduated from college five years ago with a degree in MIS major.

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Marketing has become a key issue in the 21 st century because of new developments and advancements taking place in the modern society. The consumers and marketers have are progressing and continuing to be diverse and complex. The old traditional marketing techniques are inefficient and are unable to satisfy the requirements of these individuals in the business world. Factors that have contributed to the decline in basic marketing strategies include development of new technology and cultural changes that have generated a disjointed market.

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How to Write a Leadership Statement (With 40 Examples)

A leadership statement is essential to help contribute to the organization’s success. However, it may be challenging to come up with the right words to create an impact.

What should the statement emphasize? What should be included?

According to experts, here are the key points that you need to consider when writing a leadership statement:

Loic Bellet

Business English Coach, Speak Proper English

Discuss what you will do differently due to what you’ve learned about leadership and yourself

Consider what attributes make someone an excellent leader before crafting your statement.

The ability to motivate others, moral dignity, plus placing a high value on connections with team members are all examples of leadership qualities and skills. What outstanding leadership traits do you possess?

Before you start drafting your statement:

• Make a list.
• Go over your word list again and pick one , maybe two of these attributes to emphasize .
• As it pertains to the trait you choose, provide your assessment of what makes somebody a great leader.

It should be no more than one to two sentences in length. This definition will serve as the foundation for your argument.

Implement a strategy

It all boils down to implementing a strategy when writing a decent statement. Your blueprint is that plan. One of the most crucial advantages of a decent outline is that your statement will be well arranged and easy to follow.

You can use the paragraph structure for a leadership statement or add more paragraphs if you want. This is what your outline might look like:

• Introduction . Captivate the reader’s attention by defining good leadership in terms of the attribute you’ve chosen.
• Paragraphs in the body . Give some history on anecdotes and explain why a leadership characteristic is essential to you and how you live your life according to this value.
• Conclusion . Finish with a strong declaration about your ability to lead.

Grab the reader’s attention and distinguish your assertion from the rest

The beginning of your leadership statement must be strong. This is where you grab the reader’s attention and distinguish your assertion from the rest.

Related: How to Be (more) Assertive

A personal anecdote is the greatest method to do this.

Consider the leadership quality you’ve chosen. When was the last time you showed this characteristic in your life?

Consider a period when your integrity was put to the test in a leadership role if you’re writing about it. Perhaps you were the director of your high school newspaper and felt compelled to expose the identity of a confidential source.

To draw the reader’s attention, describe the scenario in dramatic detail in one or two sentences. Explain why you believe this leadership attribute is crucial after those two phrases. This will serve as a transition into your statement’s body.

Focus on the leadership traits you possess

Focus on the leadership traits you possess in the body of your statement and how they relate to the tale you began to explain in the introduction. You can order your statement however you choose, but here’s a tried and tested method.

Provide some background information

Give some context to your narrative by providing some background information.

Give some information regarding your work as editor if you opened your statement by mentioning being forced to reveal the source of a journalistic piece.

• What method did you use to obtain it?
• What did you consider to be the most significant aspect of this role?

Concentrate on a leadership attribute you already have

Return the attention to leadership. Make sure you’re concentrating on a leadership attribute you already have. You must select a quality that is directly relevant to the anecdote you are presenting.

You may bring the attention back to integrity in the case of the editor being pressed to reveal sources.

• What is the significance of integrity?
• What makes someone an effective leader if they have integrity?

Related: 24 Best Leadership Books of All Time

Make sure your conclusion leaves a lasting impression

Another crucial component of the leadership statement is your conclusion. These are the words that will leave the most lasting impression on your reader about your leadership and writing ability. This is an important aspect of your statement, so make it count.

• Return to the strong leadership while personalizing it.
• Describe how your leadership aligns with your principles and how you displayed leadership in one or two sentences in a specific case.
• Discuss what you’ve learned.
• Finish with a powerful sentence.

What will you do differently in the future due to what you’ve learned about leadership and yourself? To make your words even more powerful, use a parallel framework.

Founder and CEO, Gibson Hill PC

A leadership statement is vital for setting out the expectations and goals of the business and laying out the core values that employees are expected to follow and respect. Also, it is all about getting employees on board so that they understand what the company aims to do for them , getting them invested in the success.

After all, a leadership statement is all about leading, and that requires gathering a team to lead.

Here are some of the things that you should remember when writing a leadership statement:

Talk about core values of your business

Your business should have clear core values that are implemented within the work methodology, and it is essential that, as a leader, you talk about them so that they can be in effect.

Talk about the reason for the company and what it aims to do, and talk about the values and ideals that you uphold and that you expect everyone to respect.

Outline concrete goals

As a leader, it is your job to create guidelines and direct your employees. Having concrete goals is necessary, not only so that the business can grow but also so that employees have a direction to develop and grow.

Set out expectations, and then provide the tools to make them achievable.

Introduce ways of measuring progress

Measuring progress should be about monitoring that things are on track so that you can implement solutions or extra support where needed.

You must address this early on so that it isn’t something for your employees to dread.

Make it relevant to the employees

I’ve read a few leadership statements that are all about the company’s aims and how the leader will be going about things, with no mention as to how it will all affect the employees, and that is a huge mistake.

You want your employees to feel involved and become invested , and this means making sure that the goals you set in place are related to them in some way.

Be your company’s “hype-man”

This is my top recommendation for leadership statements; they should be positive and full of motivation , almost as if you’re selling the idea of the business to your employees to get them excited about the overall success that can be achieved.

Martin Lassen

Founder & CEO, GrammarHow

A “leadership statement” is a written statement outlining your leadership philosophy and the qualities you believe are necessary to lead effectively.

• Your leadership statement must be brief and easy to understand.
• It’s important to express your thoughts on the theory of leadership , and the traits and abilities you believe are necessary for success.
• Discuss your personal leadership experiences and how you’ve developed your own unique management style.

Here are some suggestions for writing a leadership statement that represents your values:

Share your experiences to help them understand your leadership style

Your leadership statement should contain your own leadership experiences .

• What obstacles have you overcome?
• What victories have you had?
• What have you learned?

Sharing your experiences can assist readers in understanding your leadership style and why you think it works.

“Leaders in the military and business have taught me that success involves vision, planning, and execution. I am continuously looking for new challenges and methods to strengthen my leadership skills. This attitude has aided my career and personal success.”

Share concrete examples that demonstrate your leadership ideas

Remember to be genuine and honest in your leadership statement. If you don’t agree with someone’s ideas or ideals, don’t write or avoid clichés and generalizations; instead, share concrete examples that demonstrate your leadership ideas.

“Leaders must constantly put their followers first. They should be open to hearing and understanding their problems. A smart leader knows that success requires a team dedicated to the same goal.”

CEO, Champion Leadership Group LLC

Analyze the characteristics that differentiate a successful leader

Prepare your leadership statement by analyzing the characteristics that differentiate a successful leader before you sit down and write.

Among these leadership traits and talents are:

• The willingness to encourage others
• Personal integrity
• The ability to place a high emphasis on interpersonal connections with team members

Are there any outstanding leadership characteristics you possess?

Here is one helpful tip on how to write a leadership statement:

A solid opening to a leadership statement is critical

This is where you grab the reader’s attention and set your writing out from the others— a personal narrative is the most significant way to go about this.

Consider the quality of leadership you’ve decided to emphasize. Is there a time when you displayed this trait in your life?

For instance, when writing on personal integrity, imagine a period when your integrity was put to the test while serving in a leadership position. For maximum effect, explain the incident in one or two sentences in dramatic detail to capture the reader’s attention.

Afterward, explain why this leadership quality is so crucial to you—this will serve as a bridge from the introduction to the body of your statement.

Jonathan R. Brockman

Trial Attorney, Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.

Include your attitude and the attitude that you expect from your team

A vision or leadership statement is one that allows you to define yourself and your role when leading your team—it’s something that you can always look back to if you find yourself going through the motions and in need of reminding why you’re doing what you’re doing .

It is also something that I think is useful to provide for new or potential employees so that they can get a feel for your priorities.

The way you need to craft a leadership statement depends on you and your values: do you want to exemplify your goals or your values more?

Either way, you need to keep your statement concise , don’t mince your words, even if you’re trying to be poetic. You’ll want to include your attitude and the attitude that you expect from your team and how you’ll promote and encourage that attitude.

If you can squeeze all of this into 3-4 sentences , you’ll have a great vision statement.

Gerald Lombardo 

Co-Founder, The Word Counter

Your daily actions should reflect the qualities you added in your leadership statement

A powerful leadership statement highlights your internal understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing. It’s intricately tied to your values , hopes , and worldview and is important because it’s what matters to you.

As the leader of an organization, your daily actions should reflect the qualities that you have included in a leadership statement.

The best way to begin crafting a leadership statement stems from a deep look into yourself as a leader. You need to think back on your own career as though you are retired and ask yourself questions such as:

• What do you want your peers to have said about you?
• How did you make your coworkers and subordinates feel on a daily basis?
• What are some goals you wish you accomplished?
• How would you have led your organization differently?

Ultimately, a leadership statement guides you during times of rapid change within your organization because it provides you with a course of action. It’s your roadmap to understanding how you define yourself as a leader.

By understanding why you’re doing what you’re doing as a leader, your team will take notice and feel confident in supporting your vision.

Travis Lindemoen

Managing Director, Nexus IT Group

Figure out how to be the best leader possible

One of the most critical aspects of leadership is establishing a group dynamic where everyone is working toward the same goal .

Self-reflection and divergent thinking are essential components of effective leadership. Every step of the way, a leader should keep an eye on the big picture while also acknowledging the small victories along the way.

Leadership does not equate to power, and the two are not synonymous. Leaders challenge themselves to take on the role of a change agent, challenge the status quo of business and society, and act as role models for others.

“ Aspiring to be that leader who can inspire and motivate others to lead healthy and balanced lives is something I strive for . In my presence, I hope to convey the impression that I care about establishing relationships with others and unquestionably lift them up, and inspire self-direction.

I intend to lead from the ground up to promote a positive work environment and establish my authority as a leader. Personal and socially responsible leadership is something I believe in, and I will constantly evaluate my attitude and actions to see if they are in line with this belief and ignite positive social change.

Leadership means valuing the contributions of others, including their perspectives, as well as what they can offer toward our common goal.

I will lead with concrete goals and clear communication among my followers as we work together to achieve our shared vision and leave a lasting impression on every person we come into contact with.”

Related: Top 7 Leading Traits of Good Leaders

Austin J. Franklin

CEO and Co-founder, Good-Natured Life

The statement should positively impact you and everyone you lead

A leadership statement is a personal mantra created to guide one’s leadership philosophy. This idea is similar to a company mission statement, except it abides only by you and your leadership style.

A leadership statement is essential because it holds you accountable and guides your decision-making.

For example, my leadership statement revolves around a few words:

“Make a positive difference & remain good-natured.”

These are core ideas that have helped me produce a successful enterprise. Focusing on making a positive difference and remaining good-natured affects how I lead staff, interact with customers, and develop services/products.

Regardless of the decisions needed to be made or conflicts that can arise, I can choose the right course of action by reflecting upon my personal leadership statement.

A leadership statement should be:

• The leadership statement should be easy to memorize.
• Understand what is needed to help you effectively lead your employees and organization.
• The leadership statement should guide you in every circumstance you face as a leader.

By following the three guidelines, you will be able to develop a strong leadership statement. This statement will positively impact you and everyone you lead, so create thoughtfully.

Daniel Cook

Director HR , Mullen and Mullen

Link your values and beliefs to the plans that you are proposing

You should brainstorm what you have to write about in your leadership statement.

Firstly, you need to note down your beliefs and values that shape your personality and can appeal to your audience as well. You need to think of characteristics that you might have that would encourage other people.

Secondly, to make your audience understand your personality, you can name your role models and what is their most inspiring trait that appeals to you.

Thirdly, try linking your values and beliefs to the plans or actions that you are proposing . Ensure that it is a direct link that people can easily understand.

Lastly, after explaining your expectations, you can discuss the expectations that you might have from your audience or the general public.

“In order to ensure your leadership is effective, you need to have open communication with everyone. Due to this, I would like to hear honest feedback from my employees.”

James Chapman

Operations Manager, BELLA Bathrooms

It should mention the leader’s actual game plan to materialize the goal

In a modern business setup, with more importance given to teamwork, the concept of leadership is seen as one of the most important aspects of business success.

Business owners and managers are expected to be strong leaders where they have a clear goal and accurate pathways to achieve them. In these situations, a leadership statement can help a business leader in proving his case to business success among his subordinates.

A leadership statement should clearly mention the leader’s vision, his role in the organization, his purpose to achieve his vision, and his actual game plan to materialize the goal.

At our company, we have a mission as a team to serve our customers with high-quality bathroom solutions through the e-commerce platform.

I would like to mention a quote from my leadership statement as an example :

“A low-cost bathroom can look fantastic if its good quality and a designer suite can look atrocious if you are paying for the name rather than the quality of the materials”.

CEO and Founder, Freedom Care

Your statement must be ideal

A leadership statement is a concise and definitive description of your values and goals as a leader, both in what you want to achieve and how you want to treat the people you lead.

Before writing your leadership statement, it is important to realize that your statement is your ideal. This means that on a day-to-day basis, you might slip up and treat people in a way that is not according to your statement.

This does not make you a hypocrite; it makes you human .

The purpose of a leadership statement is to orient you, your values, and your goals as a leader.

In your leadership statement, you should include your responsibilities to the people as a leader:

• What you believe you need to be for them,
• The overarching values that drive you,
• Your goals as a leader, and
• How all these things all come together to form an overall approach, attitude, and perspective.

“As a leader, it is my responsibility to ensure that every team member has the necessary tools and environment to succeed. I need to be approachable, professional, personable, and expressive. To foster a productive team, I need to express gratitude and trust.”

Magda Klimkiewicz

Senior HR Business Partner, Zety

Capture your purpose as a leader

Writing a leadership statement isn’t easy. To capture your core values and beliefs, goals, and purpose as a leader in a few simple sentences is a challenging task that requires a fair amount of thought, time, and self-discovery.

It might still be worth it, as an effective leadership statement can help you remain focused , prioritize , stay true to your purpose , and inspire others . This serves as a reminder about who you are as a leader.

An excellent way to determine who you want to be in the leadership role is to think about influential figures that made an impact throughout the history of business and the world. Do some research on leaders who inspire you and determine what motivates them and how they lead.

While I don’t advise copying or following their personal statements, it can be a helpful exercise to identify which of their core values, beliefs, and actions resonate with you the most. Build on that by deciding how they translate into your current role.

Here are two sample leadership statement examples:

• “I believe that innovation is what drives excellence. I will use positive feedback and encouragement to inspire my team to create revolutionary solutions to improve people’s lives.”
• “As a leader, I am committed to making our company a place of inclusion and equality. I will create a positive and supportive environment where employees can thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

Harriet Chan

Co-founder and Marketing Director, CocoFinder

Talk about what you believe makes you an effective leader

A good leadership statement can help you stand out from the crowd in a job application or interview. It can also be a valuable tool for developing your own personal leadership style.

The following tips will help you write a strong leadership statement.

• For example, “I led a team of 10 software engineers and successfully delivered a new software product on time and under budget.”
• For example, “I am passionate about delivering results, and I always put the needs of my team first. I am motivated by the challenge of solving difficult problems.”
• For example, “I led my team through a difficult merger and successfully integrated the two teams into one cohesive unit.”
• For example, “I was recently recognized as the top leader in my industry by The Wall Street Journal.”
• For example, “I am looking for an opportunity to lead a team and make a real impact on the world. I believe I have the potential to be an excellent leader, and I am excited to pursue my career aspirations.”

Yosun Allen

CEO, Yosun UV Printer

Statements made by leaders should have meaning

An organization’s activity should have a clear sense of direction if its mission statement is to accomplish that goal. In order to attract and encourage employees, an organization’s purpose statement must be clear and concise .

It’s easier for people to be motivated, devoted, and pleased if they have a purpose in their work.

A statement of leadership must be unambiguous

People in an organization will not be motivated unless they have a clear understanding of the goal. It’s best to keep it short and sweet.

Only the most important aspects of the organization should be highlighted, and nothing else should be. It’s easier for individuals to grasp how they can help when the goal is clear.

“Our vision is to be the earth’s most customer-centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.” — Amazon

Co-founder and CEO , Power

Be concise with the wording

The statement shouldn’t be too long, and the sentences should be short and crisp so that they are easy to understand.

So, for example, “I will create a casual working environment in which employees are allowed to conduct themselves in a fun manner so as to strengthen the team bonds and create a better culture for the company, all while encouraging efficiency in the performance of duties.”

You can say something like, “I aim to create a fun yet efficient working environment, with a strong focus on teamwork.”

It’s a lot simpler , and it will get the point across better.

Choose words that motivate and engage

You want your statement to inspire your employees in some way so that they are motivated and engaged, and the best way to do this is through the correct wording.

I recommend using words such as “ potential ,” “ success ,” “ development ,” “ growth ,” and similar. Basically, you want to give everything an air of positivity and career advancement.

Make sure you talk about things your employees care about

Talking about the company’s goals is all good, but you need to make it relevant to your employees. How are your goals and plans going to affect them? You must get them invested in success because a business only thrives through teamwork .

Related: 30+ Real Life Examples of Teamwork

Adam Crossling

Marketing Manager, Zenzero

Get to know the why of the company

To write your leadership vision statement, the first thing you need to do is figure out why a company is there. Overall, the answer to this question will help a leader see the future they want for their business.

It’s hard for people and businesses to say why they do what they do. Simon Sinek says this in his best-selling book, Start with Why . I mean your goal, cause, or belief when I say “ why ,” but you can also say “ what .”

We like leaders and groups that are good at telling us what they believe. One way they can inspire us is by making us feel like we belong, are safe, and not alone. When a leader explains why they do what they do, they get people who are loyal and want to help make their vision for the future come true.

Find out why you do what you do:

• How did you start the business or become a manager in the first place?
• Consider what kind of movement you want to start that leads to a better future.
• Getting to the heart of why your business should support your chosen cause or project.
• Reflecting on how your business can make people feel like they belong and are part of a group.
• Ideating about how your company’s purpose and your customers’ purpose might work together.

Theola Tinny

Co-Founder, VinPit

Be sure people understand what your organization stands for

Here are some tips that I keep in mind while drafting a compelling leadership statement.

• Be clear and straightforward. You want to be sure people understand what your organization stands for exactly.
• Make it personal. Your leadership statement should reflect who you are as a leader.
• Instead, use what you have already established in your organization, whether the values or mission statements.
• Make it creative . Consider including elements like to-dos , specials , or other helpful information that goes beyond just being about your business.
• Use action verbs. When writing your leadership statement, avoid using negative words like “don’t,” “don’t change,” and “don’t do this.”

“We will take the time to listen and understand one another, appreciate each other’s diverse backgrounds and beliefs, form friendships, and nurture them wherever they are found.”

Robin Antill

Director, Leisure Buildings

Outline objectives – they should be realistic and achievable within a given time frame

When a leader is crafting a statement, they should consider what goals they tend to achieve in the long run. Your goals as a leader should be specific , which means that they should be realistic and easy to achieve within a given time frame.

Once set, these objectives should be measured against time. This measure will help you determine your performance and identify any bottlenecks.

“I will develop a purpose-driven connection with my employees working in hybrid and remote environments. Through this measure, I aim to unlock the full potential of my team so that our business can voyage towards a journey of success.

I tend to incorporate the ideas of empathy and positivity at the workplace, which can help promote a culture of inclusivity.”

Tim Davidson

President, Car Title Loan Lenders

Make sure it has quantitative goals

It’s often good to have a list of goals you should and would like to attain as a leader when creating a leadership statement.

To get the most out of this section, use the SMART method to meet your objectives: Having defined and measurable goals makes it easier to concentrate on how to achieve them. It is impossible to attain your objectives if you cannot track your progress.

As a result, make sure your personal leadership statement has quantitative goals.

Your leadership statement will inevitably alter as you mature as a person and your goals shift. Because of this, you’ll need to update your statement over time to match your current objectives. To assist you in prioritizing your task, make sure your goal has a definite deadline.

“It is hard to reach the pinnacles of what the corporation can do without a solid team. As the leader, I will focus on establishing a good and healthy workplace culture that encourages everyone to reach their full potential.”

Annesha Basu

Chief Managing Officer, Stand Up Paddle Boards Review

You have to address what others are worried about in a leadership statement

A leadership statement has to inform and inspire equally . Self-assess and identify the core values that make you the leader you are.

Everyone has roughly the same goals; as a leader, there must have been something differently you’ve done that made you fit to lead. Identify the behaviors and traits that helped you get results.

You have to address what others are worried about in a leadership statement. This will change as your audience changes.

Understanding what your audience is worried about will help you know what to say. If you’re addressing:

• Beginners – you have to instill confidence in them and lay any fears they may have to rest.
• An experienced audience – your speech needs to be along the lines of growing expertise and income .

Omer Usanmaz

CEO and Co-Founder, Qooper Mentoring & Learning Software

Keep your statement inspiring, representing who you are as a leader

A leadership statement is a declaration of your beliefs and values as a leader. It can be used to introduce yourself to others or remind yourself of what you stand for when things get tough.

To write a leadership statement:

• Start by thinking about what you believe in and what values are important to you.
• Write down a few sentences that express your beliefs and values clearly and concisely.
• Keep your statement positive and inspiring , and make sure it represents who you are as a leader.

A leadership statement doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, a good example can be something as simple as the following:

“As a leader, I am always looking for ways to improve my team’s performance. Whether through coaching and mentoring or providing support and resources, I am committed to helping my team reach its goals.”

“I strive to create a positive and productive work environment where my team can thrive, so I always encourage open communication and feedback. This helps me maintain a clear understanding of my team’s needs.”

“I believe in setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback so that my team knows what is expected of them. I also recognize and reward good performance so that my team knows that their hard work is appreciated. “

Kimberly Silva

CEO, Find People First

Keep in mind what you want to convey

Effective leadership statement meets the needs of people who are reading it. It may contain elements that make the statement easy for a person to read, such as an example or personal story.

Writing a leadership statement is a job interview’s first impression. It’s essential to have a concise, compelling statement summarizing your leadership skills, interests, and accomplishments.

There are also times when a leadership statement emphasizes specific skills and abilities or provides information that is particularly relevant to the person reading it. To have a compelling statement, keep in mind what you want to convey , who you are talking to, and how you want to be perceived .

“Due to the success of my leadership at ABC Company, I have opportunities to head up new departments and lead diverse teams, from strategy and finance to customer service. I take calculated risks and work hard to ensure my team members can give 110% commitment.”

“I am a strong believer in developing my employees. I empower them to grow in their skills, take on more responsibility and contribute more broadly to the company.”

“I believe that people are the key to our success, and therefore it is my responsibility to create an environment where they can thrive. I’m a results-driven leader with a proven track record of developing and managing teams in the SaaS industry.”

“I have experience launching, managing, and marketing products, as well as designing and implementing pricing models. I have strong analytical skills, deep technical knowledge, and excellent interpersonal skills .”

Related: What are Interpersonal Skills & How to Improve Them

Steve Scott

Chief Technology Officer, Spreadsheet Planet

Develop a list of your fundamental principles and prioritize them

I would advise that before you go into drafting your statement, review a few sample personal statements and observe how the writers highlighted their leadership priorities and beliefs.

Most leaders have grandiose plans but fail to articulate why they aspire to accomplish their objectives. As a result, this lack of clarity impacts the leader and instills confusion throughout the business.

It is better to develop a list of all your fundamental principles and prioritize them.

Therefore, before creating your personal leadership statement, determine your fundamental goal as a leader to steer your employers in the appropriate route.

“Without a strong team, it is impossible to accomplish the organization’s full potential. As a leader, I will focus on establishing a good and healthy work culture that encourages everyone to reach their full potential.”

Daniel Foley

Marketing & SEO Specialist, Emma Sleep

Every statement represents your current aims and values

Remember that there are no wrong answers when creating a personal leadership statement.

Every statement is unique to each individual and represents your current aims and values. Your account would evolve, depending on your development and changing perspectives on leadership.

• Your attitude towards leadership

Another important aspect of your leadership statement is how you describe and see your role as a leader .

• Your behavior as a leader

With their values and demeanor, a good leader can guide others. As a result, these skills are critical in your actions to achieve your leadership objectives.

Even though the work may appear complicated, there are numerous leadership statement examples to refer to if you’re having trouble figuring out how to include these elements into your statement.

• Understanding your core purpose as a leader

Before writing your statement, look through some sample personal statements to see how other people have highlighted their leadership priorities and values.

It’s preferable to make a list that focuses on your key principles and then rank them in order of priority .

Most leaders have lofty plans, but they don’t explain why they want to achieve them. As a result, the lack of a defined purpose has an impact on the leader and confuses the business.

So, before you write your leadership statement, find out what you want to accomplish as a leader to steer your company in the right direction.

Karl Tippins

Editor-in-Chief, Age Holdings

Allow ideas to flow freely

My advice when crafting a leadership statement is to visualize the future.

Create a list of the essential components of your vision statement. To begin, grab a piece of paper or visit a whiteboard and jot down any terms that spring to mind when you consider the company’s future.

When brainstorming, avoid tailoring your thoughts; instead, allow ideas to flow freely. Dare to fantasize about achieving challenging goals as your firm expands.

Additionally, zero in on notions that strike a chord with you and attempt to picture the details. The more precise the visualization of your dreams, the stronger the flashlight that will guide you in the proper direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should i update my leadership statement .

Your leadership statement should reflect your current goals and values as a leader. As you gain new experiences and insights, it’s important to review and update your statement so that it accurately reflects your evolving leadership philosophy.

As a general rule of thumb, you should review and update your leadership statement at least once a year. However, you may also want to update it more frequently if your role changes significantly or you reach important milestones.

By keeping your statement up to date, you can ensure that it remains relevant and meaningful to support your leadership decisions and inspire others.

What should I do if I’m struggling to write my leadership statement?

Break it down:   Try tackling your leadership statement into smaller parts to make it more manageable.

Use a framework:   A “ What, How, Why ” framework can help you organize your thoughts and capture all the critical aspects of your leadership style.

Solicit feedback:   Share your explanation with colleagues, mentors, or friends and consider their suggestions for improvement.

Be authentic:   Write from the heart and stay true to yourself to build trust and credibility as a leader. Seek help when needed:  Consider working with a professional writing or coaching service for guidance and support.

Reflect on your leadership experiences:   Think about your successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses, and the values and principles that guide your leadership style.

Should my leadership statement focus on short-term or long-term goals?

The answer to whether your leadership statement should focus on short-term or long-term goals isn’t black and white. It depends on several factors in which you write your statement and your leadership style.

Here are some things you should consider:

Context:  Your leadership statement should be tailored to the context in which you’re writing it. If you’re applying for a new job, you should focus more on short-term goals and show that you can make an immediate impact.

If you’re writing your statement for an established team or organization, you should focus more on long-term goals that align with the company’s vision and values.

Leadership style:  Some leaders focus on quick wins and immediate improvements, while others take a more strategic and long-term view. Your statement should reflect your unique leadership style and values.

Balance:  Your statement should strike a balance between the two. It’s essential to have a clear vision for the future, but it’s also important to address the immediate needs of your team or organization. Set specific short- and long-term goals that align with your leadership vision and values.

Flexibility:  As a leader, being flexible and adaptable is important. While it’s important to have goals and a clear vision, circumstances can change quickly. Ensure that your statement allows for adjustments to short-term and long-term goals.

By considering these factors, you can create a statement that effectively communicates your leadership philosophy and inspires others to follow your lead.

How can I tailor my leadership statement to a specific audience?

To tailor your leadership statement to a specific audience, first consider who it’s intended for. Consider what values or goals are important to this group and sense how your message may resonate with them.

You may need to adjust the language or tone of your statement to better appeal to the target audience.

For example, if you’re speaking to a team of engineers, you may want to focus on technical or problem-solving skills in your leadership statement. If you’re speaking to a board of directors, you might want to emphasize financial results or strategic planning.

Also, consider using examples or stories that are relevant to your audience. This can help make your message more vivid and memorable.

What is effective leadership, in simple words?

Effective leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate others toward a common goal. This includes setting a clear direction and vision, communicating effectively, and creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

Effective leaders lead by example and empower others to contribute to the success of the team or organization. They demonstrate empathy, respect, and integrity in their actions and decisions.

In simple words, effective leadership means bringing out the best in others and achieving success through collaboration and shared values.

Can anyone write a leadership statement?

Yes, anyone can write a leadership statement. A leadership statement is a personal reflection of your values, beliefs, and vision as a leader. No special qualifications or training are required to write them.

However, writing an effective leadership statement that truly inspires and motivates others requires some practice and self-reflection. It’s essential to take the time to understand your values and goals and how they align with those of your organization.

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Writing The Perfect Leadership Statement: Effective Guide

Table of Contents

Leaders are important in every aspect of life, whether in high school, the workplace, or elsewhere. Leaders are constantly available to help their followers set and reach a goal.

Leadership entails guiding and directing a group of people toward a common goal. When applying for jobs and specific leadership roles, a personal leadership statement can showcase your unique leadership skills. It can also set you apart as a standout leader. If you’re wondering  how to write a leadership personal statement , you’ve come to the right place.

A personal statement can help communicate your values and beliefs and demonstrate how you lead others. A leader must have effective communication, decision-making, strategic planning, strategic thinking, adaptability, inspiration, and emotional intelligence skills. These are some of the values to include in your personal statement.

This article will teach you how to write a perfect leadership personal statement .

What is a Leadership Personal Statement?

A leadership personal statement expresses the values, beliefs, and principles that guide your leadership style and behavior. It is a tool to help leaders identify their personal and professional goals and communicate them to others. 

A personal statement helps the reader understand your expectations and the standards of behavior you expect to see in your team . It also outlines an individual’s goals, skills, and experiences that relate to leadership. This statement is typically written as part of a job application, university application. Or as a way to demonstrate leadership ability for a professional development program.

Importance of a Leadership Personal Statement

• A leadership statement clarifies an individual’s personal values and beliefs.
• It guides a leader in decision-making.
• A leadership statement communicates your leadership style and helps build trust and understanding within a team or organization.
• It demonstrates your leadership experience and achievements in previous leadership roles.
• A leadership statement sets an expectation for the leader’s behavior and for the behavior of those you’ll lead.
• It helps to create a positive and productive work environment.
• It inspires others, especially those seeking guidance and direction, to develop their leadership skills.

What to Include in a Leadership Personal Statement

A personal statement gives you an avenue to highlight personal and professional goals and to communicate those goals to the readers. Below are key pieces of information to include in a leadership statement.

1. Your values

Your personal statement should reflect your values and beliefs about leadership. This might include values like honesty, integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity.

2. Your goals

A leadership personal statement should include your professional goals and objectives. These could be specific goals for your team or organization or more general goals related to your leadership style or approach.

3. Your expectations

 It’s important to communicate your expectations to the readers. Also, include information about the standards of behavior and performance that you expect from yourself and others.

4. Your leadership approach

Your leadership statement must include information about your leadership style and approach. This might include things like your preferred communication method, decision-making process, and problem-solving approach.

5. Your leadership achievements

Your personal statement should include past accomplishments and successes. This may include leading your team to achieve a specific goal or improving a process or system through your leadership efforts.

6. Your personal qualities

A leadership statement should include attributes and characteristics that make you a strong leader. This may include your communication skills, ability to adapt and problem-solve, or commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.

7. Other relevant leadership information

You can also include any relevant coursework, skills, degree, or training you have completed in leadership.

How to Write a Leadership Personal Statement

A good leadership personal statement must effectively highlight your values, goals, and vision as a leader. It should also reflect your unique style and approach to leading and inspiring others. 

Here are some steps on how to write a leadership personal statement .

1. Define your values

Your leadership personal statement should reflect your core values and the principles that guide your actions and decisions as a leader. You should consider what matters most to you, such as honesty, integrity, compassion, or excellence, and incorporate these values into your statement.

2. Identify your goals

Your leadership personal statement should also include your goals as a leader. These may be specific objectives that you hope to achieve, such as increasing productivity or improving team morale. Alternatively, your goals may be more broadly focused on creating a positive impact or making a difference in the lives of others.

3. Clarify your vision

The next step is to include a clear vision for the future that inspires and motivates others to follow your leadership. This may involve envisioning a specific outcome or creating a shared vision for your team or organization.

4. Describe your approach

Your leadership personal statement should outline your unique style and approach to leading and inspiring others. This may include your decision-making, communication, delegation, or problem-solving philosophy. An effective approach in your statement is the  SMART  approach.

The SMART approach is a framework that can be used to develop clear, specific, and achievable objectives. It represents Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Here’s how to use the SMART approach to develop a concrete approach for a leadership personal statement:

Specific : Your approach should be clear and specific so that it is easy to understand and focus on. Consider what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it.

Measurable : Your leadership approach should be measurable so that you can track your progress and determine whether or not you have achieved it. Consider how you will measure your progress by using specific metrics or benchmarks.

Attainable : Your approach should be attainable, meaning that it is realistic and feasible, given your resources and constraints. Write about your ability to accomplish your goals and the resources you need to achieve your objective.

Relevant : It must be relevant, meaning that it aligns with your values, goals, and vision as a leader. You can consider how your approach aligns with your overall mission and purpose as a leader.

Time-bound : Your leadership approach must also be time-bound, meaning it has a specific deadline for completion. This will help you stay focused and motivated and ensure that you are making progress toward your goal as a leader.

5. Proofread and Edit

After writing about your goals, vision, and approach, the final thing to do is to proofread and edit your leadership personal statement. This step is vital to ensure that the personal statement is error-free, clear, direct, and catchy enough to grab the reader’s attention.

Examples of Leadership Personal Statement

I am a leader with integrity and a servant’s heart. I have always been one to put the needs of others before my own. This has led me to become successful in many areas of life. My ability to lead by example and work collaboratively comes from my years of experience serving in the military. Whether leading a team through difficult terrain or accomplishing common goals, I have learned to create an environment where success is attainable for all.

I am a natural leader with the ability to motivate and inspire people. I have a track record of success in leading teams and achieving results. My goal is always to create an environment where people can excel, reach their full potential, and contribute to team success. I pride myself on being open-minded, innovative, and forward-thinking; my goal is always to find ways to improve outcomes for everyone involved. With strong communication skills combined with integrity and accountability, I can be an effective leader. That is, a leader who builds trust among team members while motivating them toward common goals.

Leaders are born, not made .

Throughout my life, I have been determined to be a leader and set an example for those around me. Whether it was captaining my high school soccer team or working as a project manager, I have always strived to lead by example. I continuously develop my skills and personal brand to serve best those who look up to me. Whether through mentorship, coaching, or simply providing support during difficult times, I am committed to leading with integrity. This is while inspiring others to reach their full potential.

My core values are honesty, integrity, and compassion as a leader. I aim to create a positive impact and make a difference in the lives of others. My vision is to build a team that is collaborative, innovative, and committed to excellence. I believe in empowering my team members to take ownership of their work and fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect. My approach to leadership is centered on collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning.

Leadership involves setting a vision for a team, communicating that vision to others, and inspiring and motivating others to work towards that goal. 

As a leader, you are key in every organization, and because of this, only the best leaders are required. Your personal leadership statement is the opportunity to sell your leadership know-how to readers , especially employers, to convince them of your leadership capabilities.

Use  Hey INK  to generate your unique leadership personal statement, just like the ones above.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Why You Should Showcase Leadership in a Personal Statement

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Kaila Barber, from College Essay Guy, in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

How to showcase leadership.

• Choosing Your Personal Statement

In this post, we will discuss some strategies and tips for showcasing leadership, and other essential values and transferable skills necessary for success, in your personal statement essays for applying to college. 

Let’s say you want to talk about leadership in your essay, there are many ways you can go about it. You can talk about leadership capabilities and experience through topics such as your organization skills, productivity and making things more efficient, communicating with people, and being a mentor. Categorizing the different skills and components of leadership can help you brainstorm potential topics that will position you as a good fit, and even an asset, for prospective colleges.

In particular, leading through mentorship is a great topic to write about as it is very important because you are creating a safe environment for those around you that fosters personal, academic, and professional growth. Building connections and community and creating a safe space where people can be authentic and feel mutual trust is what mentorship is all about, and having these abilities is a major plus.

Choosing Your Personal Statement 

Writing about a challenge.

If you choose to write about a challenge you overcame, make sure you’re talking about, and focusing on, specific actions you took, and what skill you gained from it. You can include leadership and productivity skills like time management, adaptability, or flexibility if those are relevant. 

Many students, especially during the pandemic, had to help out their families financially. If this describes your experience, or you have gone through similar challenges, you can write about it as  taking on that kind of extra responsibility is a big deal for students studying full-time. From experiences such as this, students gain a lot of real world experience applying skills essential for academic, and later professional, success and those are things colleges want to hear about.

Writing About Your Hobby

A popular topic for personal statement essays is how students turn their hobbies into an interest they now want to study in college. If you choose this topic, you want to make sure you demonstrate the insight you’ve learned from this hobby, as well as the values and transferable skills it has helped you develop. 

Similar to the way we broke down leadership, categorize the different skills you’ve gained from this hobby. You can then also talk about how these skills have influenced your decision to now study your hobby. Remember, the most important thing in this essay is to personalize it to your life story. If your hobby has affected your values and life views, that is a great way to personalize your essay.

A great example of breaking down how your hobbies can change your values is crocheting. A hobby like crocheting takes time and patience. There is a beauty and importance in taking the time to learn and practice the basics so you can then master more complex processes. Someone who writes about their crocheting hobby will be able to talk about how these values, gained through their hobby, changed their life values and helped them develop transferable skills. Crocheting is just one example, but this is the structure you should aim to have if you choose this topic. 

If you’re worried about choosing the right topic, you can always do a topic check with CollegeVine. This is a community feed where you can ask specific questions about the topic you’re considering writing about. 

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

• Published October 26, 2023
• 8 Minute Read

How to Influence People: 4 Skills for Influencing Others

To be truly effective — in good times and in times of great challenge — leaders must know how to influence people. By definition, influence is the ability to affect the behavior of others in a particular direction, leveraging key tactics that involve, connect, and inspire them.

That’s why we’ve identified “influencing others” as one of the 4 core leadership skills needed in every role . (Communicating, learning agility, and self-awareness are the other 3.)

Without the expertise and ability to influence others, the truly important things in work and in life can’t be achieved.

But effective leaders don’t just command; they inspire, persuade, and encourage. Leaders tap the knowledge and skills of a group, point individuals toward a common goal and consensus, and draw out a commitment to achieve results.

Influencing People Varies by Role

Early in your career, or in individual contributor roles, influence is about working effectively with people over whom you have no authority. It requires the ability to present logical and compelling arguments and engage in give-and-take.

When leading from the middle, you’ll want to focus particularly on developing the 4 key skills needed to influence others, which we expand on below.

In senior-level or executive roles, influencing others is more about steering long-range objectives, inspiring and motivating others, and communicating the vision .

But wherever you are in an organization, chances are you’ll want to master tactics to influence people, as influence is one of the 4 core leadership skills needed in every role.

“Without the capacity to influence others, your ability to make what you envision a reality remains elusive because, after all, no one can do it alone,” notes George Hallenbeck, a lead contributor to our Lead 4 Success®  program, which helps leaders develop these 4 key essentials of leadership.

Influencing Others: 4 Key Skills

4 influencing skills.

The best leaders have these 4 key influencing skills:

• Organizational Intelligence: They understand how to get things done and embrace the reality of working within organizational politics to move teams and important initiatives forward.
• Team Promotion: Leaders cut through the noise to authentically and credibly promote themselves — while also promoting what’s good for the entire organization.
• Trust-Building: Because leadership often involves guiding people through risk and change, trust is essential.
• Leveraging Networks: No leader is an island. They are empowered by their connections with others.

Here’s a look at each of these influencing skills in a little more detail, and how you and your team can use them to influence others.

1. Practice “Organizational Intelligence.”

All organizations have 2 sides: the formal structure pictured on the org chart and the informal structure, which more often represents how things really get done. Politically savvy leaders understand both.

Political savvy is both a mindset and a skillset. Savvy leaders view politics as a neutral and necessary part of organizational life that can be used constructively and ethically to advance organizational aims.

For a leader,  political skills in action look like:

• Networking to build social capital, including mingling strategically.
• Thinking before responding, considering context and goals before deciding when and how to express their point of view.
• Paying close attention to nonverbal cues, practicing active listening, considering how others might feel, and finding ways to appeal to the common good.
• Leaving people with a good impression, without coming across as “trying too hard.”

2. Promote Yourself, Promote Your Team.

Self-promotion is often seen as bragging or selfishness. But leaders who know how to influence people understand that by promoting themselves authentically and for the right reasons, they can cut through the information that bombards us all each day.

In the hands of an astute leader, authentic self-promotion isn’t just a tool to advance one’s own career. It can provide visibility and opportunities for their direct reports, generate team and organizational pride, and make capabilities and ideas more visible across the organization — ultimately enhancing collaboration and consensus.

Two self-promotion strategies stand out.

First, leaders who are good at influencing others find ways to gather an audience. They may ask more people to be part of a team, initiative, or problem-solving process.

Second, they find ways to “put on a show” and step into the spotlight at selected events and meetings, sometimes creating their own events.

3. Build & Maintain a Foundation of Trust.

Building and maintaining  leadership trust is essential. Without trust, leaders may be able to force people to comply, but they’ll never tap the full commitment, capabilities, and creativity the group can offer. Leveraging these assets is invaluable when tackling tough challenges or making strategic change, so trust is vital.

People look for leaders who can appreciate their vulnerability and inspire them, understand them, support them, and guide them through looming chaos. This requires the leader to demonstrate a broad range of expertise and behaviors, some of which might seem contradictory but, when used in an appropriate and timely manner, create conditions that foster trust.

Trust involves a careful balance between pushing people into areas where they’re uncomfortable while also listening carefully to their concerns and feedback. Among the many “balancing acts” they must work to maintain, trustworthy leaders negotiate between toughness and empathy as individuals struggle with transition, as well as urgency with patience as change proceeds.

4. Leverage Networks.

Finally, leaders that know how to influence people recognize and cultivate the power of networks. Organizations are increasingly dynamic; they morph in size and shape over time. Influential leaders have a network perspective and recognize that their personal networks must also be dynamic and growing. They’re also strategic about choosing how and when to tap into this network.

Access Our Webinar!

Learn more about the key elements of effective influencing skills, including how to assess your current influencing capabilities and competencies to become a more influential leader, when you watch our webinar, Being an Influential Leader: How Effective Influencing Can Be a Game-Changer .

When Influencing Others, Remember Context Matters

Across all 4 of these influencing skills — political savvy, self-promotion, building trust, and networking — context is important.

The goal is to influence others, not manipulate them.

Effective, ethical leaders use different approaches in different situations , choosing carefully when and how to influence people using influencing tactics that appeal to the head, heart, or hands. For example, a leader may use rational persuasion techniques when there’s factual evidence to present. On the other hand, they may opt to use inspirational appeals or consultation methods to generate buy-in when discussing a new project or proposal with their team.

3 Tactics for Influencing Others

We’ve found that influencing tactics fall into 3 categories: logical, emotional, or cooperative appeals. In other words, using the head, heart, or hands to influence people:

• Logical Appeals (Head): Tap into people’s rational and intellectual positions. You present an argument for the best choice of action based on organizational benefits, personal benefits, or both, to appeal to people’s minds.
• Emotional Appeals (Heart): Connect your message, goal, or project to individual goals and values. An idea that promotes a person’s feelings of wellbeing, service, or sense of belonging tugs at the heartstrings and has a good chance of gaining support.
• Cooperative Appeals (Hands): Involve collaboration, consultation, and alliances. Working together to accomplish a mutually important goal extends a hand to others in the organization and is an extremely effective way to influence people. Leaders who effectively use these tactics to influence people can achieve their goals and objectives more successfully than leaders who lack that ability, regardless of where they sit in an organization.

That way, influencing others comes from a place of authenticity and has the greatest impact.

Unsure where to start? Think about a situation in the near future when you will need to influence someone, and reflect on the following questions to form a plan:

• Who am I attempting to influence?
• What is the situation? How much support do I need?
• Why do I need this person’s support of my idea?
• What tactics can I use, and how can I establish rapport?
• What responses do I anticipate?
• What mutual points of agreement can I use?
• How can I end on a positive note, no matter what the outcome is?

How to Recognize When You’re Being Influenced

When you’re a leader who is used to being the influencer, it can be challenging to identify when the tables have been turned. If fellow teammates or executives are trying to persuade you, it’s important to recognize when and how you’re being influenced.

To start, gain some self-awareness about your own biases and personal point of view. Determine your current strengths and development needs, and understand that you will typically act out of your strengths.

Ask yourself, “What will it take for me to be more aware and balance my typical approach to be more effective with others?”

The better you understand yourself, the better you’ll be at understanding others. If you do find yourself being influenced, consider leveraging the consultation tactic in response to offer up your thoughts, desires, and suggestions for discussion. This type of collaboration will be an especially helpful technique if you disagree and need to negotiate a path forward. You may discover that the time you’ve spent thinking about the most effective way to influence others will come in very handy.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Upskill your team by building their capacity to influence others successfully. Partner with us for a customized learning journey for your leaders using our research-based modules. Available leadership topics include Authentic Leadership, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Influence Skills Training , Listening to Understand, Self-Awareness, and more.

Based on Research by

George oversees the creation of research-based content for our program and product solutions. He’s a recognized expert in the area of learning agility and has been engaged in research, product development, and client activities related to the topic for over 15 years. He has authored or co-authored 8 books, including Compass: Your Guide for Leadership Development and Coaching and Learning Agility: Unlock the Lessons of Experience .

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What to explore next.

Watch this webinar to learn how to be a more influential leader. Becoming more persuasive and effective at influencing will help you achieve career success.

Understand the 3 outcomes of influencing, the 3 types of tactics that can be used to influence others, and the 6 essential skills for effective influencing.

Leadership networking is about developing networks to build relationships and strengthen alliances to help meet your own and your organization’s goals. Discover 6 networking "rules" for leaders.

Our research shows that 4 core leadership skills can help fundraising leaders create more impact and fundraising success.

Few leaders understand how best to use their power for the greater good. Learn our recommended strategies for leveraging power in leadership effectively.

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Do you know how to have greater influence as a leader? Upskill your team's influencing skills so they can drive priorities forward more effectively.

Are you ready to move leaders from average to high-performing? Help your people develop the 4 fundamental leadership skills with our leadership fundamental course.

The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)® is a top-ranked, global, nonprofit provider of leadership development and a pioneer in the field of global leadership research. We know from experience how transformative remarkable leaders really can be.

Over the past 50 years, we’ve worked with organizations of all sizes from around the world, including more than 2/3 of the Fortune 1000. Our hands-on development solutions are evidence-based and steeped in our work with hundreds of thousands of leaders at all levels.

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What is a Personal Leadership Statement?

Apr 23, 2023

A personal leadership statement is an important exercise in self-knowledge that clarifies a leader’s purpose, values, and beliefs about who they are as a leader and how they lead others.  The process begins with identifying the core experiences and role models that have influenced their leadership. When finished, this statement helps leaders be more congruent, aligned with their core values and principles, and reflective of how others see them in their leadership role.

That Vision Thing

Most executives I know are skilled at the ‘we’ vision – that which inspires an organization, major donors or investors, and stakeholders . They’ve helped create it, they live and breathe it, and are truly accomplished at galvanizing others around that ‘we’ vision. In fact, no smart leader would consider developing a strategic or business plan without having this in place first.

Yet few leaders have clarified their personal leadership statement (PLS). Which makes me wonder – if leaders consider the ‘we’ vision vital to organizational success, why don’t they think it’s equally vital to have one for themselves? I’m not sure there’s a good answer to this question.  What I do know is developing a personal leadership statement is an important exercise in self-knowledge.  Having one is something that separates great leaders from mediocre ones. It’s why my coaching clients develop one during their coaching program with me.

Why is a Personal Leadership Statement important?

It’s a strategic message that clarifies a leader’s purpose, values, and beliefs about who they are as a leader and how they lead others. A personal leadership statement helps you:

• Be more congruent , aligned with your core values and principles.
• Show up in influencing moments as who you really are – not who you think you should be as a leader.
• Be more intentional  in your leadership.
• Build more trust and respect between you and your team.

What do you believe about leadership?

When I first ask this question, typically my clients can’t answer it. Or, they stumble through an answer and discover they don’t have much clarity because they haven’t given it much consideration. When leaders answer this question, they articulate their core purpose and values , their intentions and expectations , as well as something very authentic about who they are . Their leadership vision becomes an anchor for their leadership credibility.

How to develop your Personal Leadership Statement

There are several ways to develop your personal leadership statement .  You can draw or collage it.  When I work with clients, I use a process that combines journaling with visual techniques. I’ve learned that many clients find it helpful to write down their ideas first, then think them ‘out loud’.  Because the way we write and the way we speak is different – and ultimately, you want to share your PLS with others . Finally, I help clients embody their PLS. What I mean by this is that you have to demonstrate  ‘who you are’ as a leader through your physical body. When a client is ready for this step, we have a coaching session or two with horses .  I am consistently amazed and delighted at how the experience of speaking your vision while leading a horse truly helps people embody what is important to them, peel away what is not, and claim their leadership presence.

Questions to get you started

Below are some of the questions I ask clients as part of the PLS process.  Few can answer them off the top of their heads and often find it a challenge. They often discover that the answers to these questions inevitably generate more questions, require a great deal of thought, and yield, in the end, rich and varied answers.

• What is your core purpose as a leader? Why are you here, doing what you do? Why would anyone want to be led by you?
• Who are your leadership role models and what did you learn from them? Who is your inspiration? What three or four critical events in your life shaped your beliefs about leadership? What do you know to be true about exceptional leaders?
• What do you believe about leading and motivating people? What values and principles are reflected in your plans, decisions, and actions when leading others?
• What can people expect from you? What are your intentions and commitments? How do you set an example?
• What do you expect from your people?

Personal leadership statement example

Hadley Morrow started coaching with me after they were first promoted to a management position. Finding their leadership voice was important to Hadley, so we worked on their personal leadership vision statement. One of the great things about Hadley’s statement is its flexibility . Hadley can work with the whole document or use sections of the document, depending on the setting. For example, Hadley may tell their whole story when speaking at Rotary. When onboarding new staff, they may use Purpose and Values, What I Expect From You, or What You Can Expect From Me. Recently, Hadley was promoted to Director of Equity and Engagement at Better Health Together . Read their Personal leadership statement.

Do you have a personal leadership statement? 

If so, I hope you’ll share it with me and with others. If not, give me a call at  (425) 488-7747 . I’m offering a special PLS package to new clients. In six sessions , you’ll have clarity and focus around your core leadership purpose, values, expectations, and commitments.

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John Kotter: Leadership and Influence

A look at the role of influencing as a vital leadership skill.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

It is easy to see leadership and influence as inextricably bound together at a fundamental level. Leaders in contemporary organizations must cultivate advanced skills of influence and persuasion in order to motivate increasingly diverse workforces. The work of John Kotter has made an important contribution to the appreciation of influential leadership in this contemporary context. His findings contribute to our understanding not only of the nature of influence, but also of the necessary components of successful leadership.

Whilst the role of ‘leader’ may be said to refer primarily to a position within organizational structure, ‘leadership’ refers rather to the skills and abilities of the individual filling that role. This leadership ability can be found at various levels throughout the organization.

Leadership can, then, be defined as "the ability to influence others toward the accomplishment of some goal", and thus involves advanced skills of influence and persuasion.[1] If management can be understood as the practice of ‘getting things done through others’, then perhaps leadership should be considered as the art of "getting others to do things". In this way, influencing power is the very essence of leadership.

John Kotter, Matsushita Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, has produced a key work identifying the relationship between modern leadership and the need for power. His book, Power and Influence, asserts that contemporary pressures are responsible for establishing influencing skills as an imperative for those involved in leadership. As a result of the increasing complexity of the social milieu surrounding organizations, internal relationships have become more diverse, and also more interdependent:

"This increase in diversity and interdependence has converted many individual contributor and management jobs into jobs that demand strong leadership – that is, jobs that require jobholders to get things done through others but do not provide control […] over all those others." [2]

These new jobs thus have something of a ‘power gap’ that must be compensated for by the development of advanced skills of influence and persuasion. These skills will help leaders to guide a varied set of employees, both superiors and subordinates, towards desired goals.

Benefits of Influencing Skills

An advanced ability to influence can potentially result in:

• the ability to guide subordinates, bosses and outsiders towards organizational goals
• increased competitive advantage
• an increase in organizational flexibility and adaptation, rather than restrictive bureaucracy
• increased personal fulfillment and excitement within the leadership role

An awareness of the power of influence protects as much as it enables, says Kotter, for "managerial and professional excellence requires the knack of knowing how to make power dynamics in corporate life work for us, instead of against us." [3]

The two central elements around which Kotter’s text is structured are those of diversity and interdependence. Diversity, symptomatic of the modern organization, consists of ‘differences among people with respect to goals, values, stakes, assumptions and perceptions’. In order to manage this diversity, judicious use of the organizational interdependencies must be made. Kotter conceives of interdependence not as a relationship of weakness, but rather one of power. It is ‘a state in which two or more parties have power over each other because they are, to some degree, dependent on each other.’ Learning to find the power of influence within this relationship is, Kotter suggests, the key to effective leadership.

Sources of Power in the Contemporary Organization

There are a variety of power sources within any organization that may be accessed by advanced leadership skills. All relate in some way to the exercise of influence:

• position in terms of organizational structure
• possession of information
• the control of information channels
• the control of ‘tangible resources’: supplies; money; people; hardware
• a strong reputation based on previous success
• personal characteristics, such as intelligence or people skills
• good relationships with other important people within the organization

Paths to Leadership Influence

Kotter claims that effective leaders will use their influencing power on a continuous basis, but will be sure to vary the kind of influence they exert according to the situation in hand. The paths to influence can be hard or soft in style, direct or indirect, substantive or symbolic, and participative or autocratic. Here we will briefly consider each of these paths:

• hard influence: at moments of crisis or vital change, or when speed is of the essence, persuasion can be forgotten in favor of coercion or authoritarian demands. Whilst this can lead to resentment, it can also be used in limited circumstances to crush resistance and effect positive change at speed.
• soft influence: a skilled leader will aim to use such methods wherever possible, gradually pulling people towards goals by enquiry and persuasion.
• direct influence: managing the dependence of subordinates in a direct way means communicating, asking and persuading through face-to-face meetings, phone calls or letters. It creates a network of personal affiliation, and is not too time-consuming for the efficient leader.
• indirect influence: this can be achieved in a variety of ways, perhaps by making use of scheduled meetings to put forward your particular vision or demands. It could also be done through the alteration of ongoing structures, for example by instigating a new compensation system within the company. Indirect methods can be complex and time-consuming, but are capable of creating more profound and long-term change than direct influence.
• substantive influence: this occurs through the deployment of information to construct logical arguments which will direct the behavior of employees according to rational patterns.
• symbolic influence: the symbolic aspect can include the use of architecture, in terms of meeting sites, for example. It can also include the language you use, the stories you relate, and the use of yourself as ‘role-model’ for the rest of the organization. By dressing, speaking and behaving according to the highest standards, for example, you can reasonably expect a degree of mirroring behavior from others.
• participative or autocratic influence: these methods are two points on a continuum, and the skilled leader will pitch their methods at some point between the two according to the task to be achieved. Your anticipation of resistance, and the necessary speed of the change or goal you are instigating are factors to consider here.

When practicing leadership, your deployment of the various paths towards influence will be particular to your personal characteristics and position, as well as the situation in hand. However, an understanding of the intrinsic relationship between leadership and influence will greatly enhance your range of choices when seeking to negotiate with, persuade, or lead other members of your organization.

[1] Robert Dilts, ‘The New Leadership Paradigm’, here (accessed 31 July 2023).

[2] John P Kotter, Power and Influence (New York, 1985), pp vii–viii.

[3] John P Kotter, (1985), p 11.

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

College essays

• College essay examples
• College essay format
• College essay style
• College essay length
• Diversity essays
• Scholarship essays

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
• Burned or burnt
• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

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The importance of having a personal leadership philosophy

Good leaders should have a leadership philosophy

Holding a position of authority comes with its fair share of challenges and responsibilities. As a leader, it’s your job to ensure your team is productive and feels supported – especially during unprecedented times. Establishing a personal leadership philosophy (PLP) can help you build trust with your direct reports and guide your decisions when unexpected obstacles arise. But what is a PLP, and how does it work? Keep reading to learn how this essential element can help equip you as a successful leader.

What is a PLP?

Taking the time to create a personal leadership philosophy (PLP) enables leaders to be more intentional. PLPs are clear, written statements about what’s important . It defines who the leader is, how they lead, and what people expect. Actions are clear and constant. Day-to-day management is consistent. A PLP is a reflective explanation of a strong leader’s core values, attitudes and real-life experiences that guide their leadership qualities.

Every leader has their unique leadership style. Types of leadership include authoritarian, democratic or laissez-faire. Whatever combination of style and traits you possess may shift over a lifetime. Knowing “who” you are and “what’s important” will make the difference. Whether decisions are straightforward or complicated, having the clarity of a PLP will keep you sane during demanding times. Transformational leadership is a leader who knows their purpose and lives it.

Clarity is a valuable commodity during times of challenge.

Personal leadership philosophy: How it works and why it matters

At a high level, a PLP reveals details about your leadership style. It touches on your core values and your attitudes. A PLP should be reviewed and shared with others. A leader must convey their intent to help others understand their leadership principles.

The development of a PLP is part of the Creighton University Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) degree , according to assistant professor Tony Williams, PhD As part of the program, students are assigned to create and share their personal leadership philosophy.

“This comes towards the end of the curriculum when students learn leadership styles plus study the Jesuit Charisms,” Williams explains. A charism is a gift of grace, not for personal gain, but for the benefit of others. Examples would include education of the whole person, Magis (or more), plus helpful leadership insights. Students analyze their core values, attitudes, and real-life experiences during their degree studies and develop a personal leadership philosophy that can help them become more effective leaders and grow in their professional lives. Finally, students are asked to apply their unique leadership philosophies in their everyday lives.

“Your personal leadership philosophy is not abstract ,” Williams says. “Students are encouraged to write a clear and concise statement, so they have it down in a physical form.” He adds:

Publishing a PLP can occur informally, such as sharing within a leadership team or formally posting on a LinkedIn profile or at the top of a resume. In addition, the accountability found when sharing the PLP helps the leader maintain a realistic approach to how they behave and respond while leading in action.

How to write your personal leadership philosophy

Start by thinking of the personal traits you value most. For example, do you favor kindness over strength? Do you consider yourself brave and loyal or respectful and hard-working? Collaborative or adventurous? That should give you an idea of some values and attributes to include in your leadership philosophy. These can be your values or your team’s values you want to inspire.

Spend some time writing about each one, explaining how you expect it to influence your team. Then, take it one step further and imagine what your team would look like if they adopted those values.

Another helpful idea is to follow a set of questions that can help you identify what’s important to include in your personal philosophy statement. In an article entitled These 8 Answers Will Fill Your Leadership Philosophy , author Molly Fletcher shares the following prompts:

• I spend time …
• I am curious about …
• I respect …
• I listen with …
• I care about …
• I inspire …

By finishing these statements, you can start to craft your own unique PLP. Fletcher says you may borrow from various influences, “but your most real philosophy is as individual as your fingerprint.”

The benefits of establishing a PLP are that it provides insight for both the leader and the followers. First, a PLP demonstrates reflective practices and self-awareness. It can provide a framework to help leaders remain consistent in their leadership behaviors. Lastly, it can establish a standard that leaders can turn to when faced with a challenging situation.

What goes into a personal leadership philosophy?

Once you have the words and statements you want to make a part of your PLP, you can follow a template to get to your goal. It becomes a personal touchstone for those days when you’re not experiencing your best or challenged by those issues that can often surface when you least expect them. Reflect and remind yourself of the end goals by revisiting your leadership philosophy.

Here’s a “mad libs” version to help you see how it can flow, as suggested in an article by Cat Alford :

To me, leadership is _____, _____, and _____. I believe that as a leader I need to _____, _____, and _____ in order to be my best. I will inspire my team to _____, _____, and _____. I want my team and myself to value _____, _____, and _____. I do not tolerate _____ from those around me. My ultimate goal is to _____.

Keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to accomplish this. Nor should it be “from the hip.” Take the time to think about your values. Then, design it in any way that it becomes easily understandable for anyone. Your leadership philosophy statement is unique to you. So, write down what authentic leadership feels right for you.

Personal leadership philosophy examples

It might be helpful to see some actual personal leadership examples, as some people might struggle with crafting their first PLP. See what it looks like if you expand the template above and incorporate some of your personal goals and beliefs.

Consider these personal leadership philosophy samples:

• “Leadership is clarity, compassion and collaboration with those I work with and for. As a leader, I should communicate our mission to others well. I take responsibility when I don’t live up to my best self. If someone makes a mistake, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate Grace and work together to correct it. I believe I am a great listener, possess character, and exhibit a strong work ethic to be effective.”
• “My goal is to guide my team, encourage them to fulfill their true potential, and be an available leader. I value honesty, work ethic, loyalty, and respect, and I strive to be an approachable leader. My goal is to lead with strength, not to instill fear. At the same time, I will not tolerate lying or laziness from those I lead.”

Amplify your impact as a leader

You may feel like you have a firm grasp on your personal leadership philosophy, but taking the time to put it into words and keep it in a place where you’re routinely reminded of it can make all the difference. Sharing it with your team can also instill a sense of trust and accountability.

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More From Forbes

14 insights into how talents and personality influence leadership performance.

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Every leader brings a unique set of experiences, talents, strengths and weaknesses to the table. Certain qualities are more useful and effective in leadership than others, and it’s important to remember this when thinking about your impact on your employees. Teams will likely follow the example set by a leader, so leaders should be conscious of how they act.

Below, 14 Forbes Coaches Council members explain how each leader’s personality and talents influence the way they perform and lead, for better or for worse. Keep these insights in mind as you reflect on your personal leadership style and efficacy.

Forbes Coaches Council members share their thoughts.

1. Great Communication Creates Effective Teams

A leader who understands their strengths and communication style, and more importantly, understands their team’s strengths and communication styles, is exponentially more effective. Unfortunately, many leaders had poor leaders as a model and aren’t incentivized to expand their self-awareness. With five generations in the workforce and the Great Resignation currently underway, the traditional ways won’t work anymore. - Marcia Narine Weldon , Illuminating Wisdom

2. Mindful Leaders Consciously Create Culture

Each leader has a unique footprint, which is their personality and talent. This footprint has the power to build a personal and organizational legacy. Mindful leaders recognize this power and use it wisely and to their benefit in terms of the outcomes they want, the culture they want to build and the employee experience that they wish to create. - Rittu Sinha , The Balanced Bandwagon

3. Adaptability Serves Leaders In Diverse Environments

Every individual has unique values, skills, gifts and talents. Great leaders are authentic and have good emotional intelligence around these things and how they play out in their leadership. Being agile and adaptable with those values, skills, gifts and talents will allow them to lead in diverse environments. Overplaying your strengths is one way they can become impediments. - Kimberly Roush , All-Star Executive Coaching

Women Succeeding In Travel Hospitality

How powerful women leaders communicate, boeing’s succession quest: is it time for a woman ceo.

4. Strengths Matter Less If Leaders Avoid Their Weaknesses

Most people default to their strengths and natural tendencies and avoid their weaknesses and areas of discomfort. Hence, leaders tend to lead others the way they want to be led, and they function best in their comfort zones of expertise. However, the positive attributes become problematic when there is “too much of a good thing” and they lead or act in only one way, avoiding areas of discomfort or ignorance. Balance matters. - Julie Kantor , JP Kantor Consulting

5. The Best Leaders Use Their Own Talents To Develop Others’ Talents

We often subscribe to the idea that we should treat others the way we want to be treated, as opposed to treating people the way they want to be treated or led. Leaders should be keenly aware of their leadership skills, but the best leaders know the personalities and talents of those they lead. They know how to use their own talents to draw out, promote and help develop the skills of others. - Carol Parker Walsh , Carol Parker Walsh Consulting, LLC

6. It Takes Intellect And Emotion To Create Followership

Personality and talent matter, but there’s more that’s needed to sustain positive leadership influence. Caring counts too. Effective leaders create followership by connecting with heart and convincing with intellect. It takes IQ and EQ. Emotional intelligence is so often the factor that makes the difference, drives impact and enhances leadership effectiveness. - Bill Koch , Bill Koch Leadership Coaching

7. Serving As A Connector Helps A Leader Build Relationships

For Gen Y and Gen Z, leaders play a crucial role as the connection point in the relationship between the organization and its employees. Leaders need to be authentic and trustworthy and signal that building relationships is important to them. It’s about forming a human bond that shows employees that they are part of a team in a place where they can feel welcome, included and valued. - Margaret Schweer , Tammy Erickson Associates

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

8. Great Leaders Tailor Their Energy And Skills To Fit The Situation 

All of the self-assessment tools we use identify core strengths, values and preferences. Good leaders understand theirs; the great ones know when to shift into core energies or use different skills when a specific situation requires it to move forward. A leader’s ability to be present enough to know what’s needed at any moment, and to bring it often, determines success versus failure. - Lisa Walsh , Beacon Executive Coaching

9. Possessing Self-Awareness Helps Leaders Maintain Balance

First and foremost, leaders must have above-average awareness of what works for them and what gets in the way. We all have personality traits and preferences that are fairly stable over time, but they can be changed—you can learn to be more assertive, or less explosive. Even traits such as empathy, if overextended, could make a leader care so much that it gets in the way of their own identity. - Susan Sadler , Sadler Communications LLC

10. Owning Both Talents And Needs Leads To Peak Performance

Articulating and owning one’s personality and unique talents, as well as the other sides of these traits, is a must for leaders. This allows them to utilize more of their natural strengths, get help with areas they are not wired for and avoid repeating the unhelpful patterns that could affect their well-being or relationships. This requires frequent reflection and mastery, but it leads to peak performance. - Amy Nguyen , Happiness Infinity LLC

11. A Leader Must Understand Their ‘Box’ Before They Can Get Out Of It

When someone says to “get out of your box,” you first need to know what your “box” is made up of, which is your beliefs and your culture. These impact your perspectives and lay at the foundation of your leadership style. Three things that can help you gain greater understanding are being curious, asking for feedback and taking an emotional intelligence assessment. From this, you can learn which strengths you may be overusing. - Melinda Fouts , Success Starts With You

12. Who You Are Is How You Lead

It is a myth that you can separate your personality from your role as a leader. All leaders must develop their own “self as a leader” in order to unlock the fullest potential in themselves and their teams. Get feedback from your coworkers to reveal how you are perceived. Focus on any misalignments between that data and how you want to be known as a leader. - Erin Urban , UPPSolutions, LLC

13. Understanding Differences Brings Out The Best In People

A key benefit of understanding their own personality preferences is that leaders can be more aware and accepting of how other people are different. This allows them to proactively flex their leadership style to get the best out of others. For example, a leader who is “outcome-focused” can demotivate a person who is “people-focused.” By being more empathetic, they can engage and inspire this person instead. - Gabriella Goddard , Space Leadership Academy

14. People Act According To Leadership Models

A leader’s personality informs whether they work hard or skirt the details, diffuse conflict or escalate it, listen and engage with intention or refuse to stay curious and grateful—and you should expect your staff to mimic exactly what you model for them. - Natasha Ganem , Lion Leadership

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Leading With Influence and Impact

What does it mean to be “all in”.

Updated April 1, 2024 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina

• The key to great leadership is going all in.
• It’s about making a pact with yourself, a commitment.
• In leadership, three defining traits are commitment, consistency, and persistence.
• People from all walks of life become leaders when they follow those rules.

When Maryland Governor Wes Moore stepped in front of microphones to speak to a gaggle of reporters gathered for a press conference about the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore this week, a reporter threw him a softball question that another politician might have answered bureaucratically.

Instead, in a poignant few minutes, Moore gave viewers a window into the pain he was feeling not only as a politician but as a Marylander. His face lit up with a broad smile as he talked about the importance of the bridge to him and tens of thousands of Maryland commuters and residents he described as “Maryland tough…and Baltimore strong…who come together in the face of heartbreak.

“We know the Key Bridge. I’ve ridden over the Key Bridge countless times…,” Moore said, his smile not breaking. This is a bridge that is a normal commuter route for 30,000 Marylanders every single day. And so, to hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it’s shocking,” he said, gently putting his hand on his heart, still with a reflective smile.

“And heartbreaking. And immediately, the first thought and first idea was, ‘What happened to the people? What was the impact on human life? But for every single one of us who are Marylanders, the words that the Key Bridge is gone, it still shakes us because, for 47 years, that’s all we’ve known. And so this is not just unprecedented from what we are seeing and what we’re looking at today. It’s heartbreaking.”

Moore’s emotional, nuanced, and sympathetic response allowed him to emerge as an effective leader.

Since I launched this column, “All In,” three weeks ago, the news about prosecutor Fani Willis and dissident Alexei Navalny allowed me to share how leaders can most effectively communicate to be all in – as Moore illustrated this week.

As a journalist and executive coach to CEOs and startup entrepreneurs, I’ve studied scores of case studies, and I’ve identified the key to great leadership : going all in. It’s transformative when you risk everything and consistently and persistently commit your time, energy, and convictions to a mission and vision instead of sitting on the fence. It seems obvious, but in reality, it’s incredibly hard to do over a long period of time. It’s a tremendous amount of work and exposes you to the world at your most vulnerable.

Leadership Troika

The legendary psychologist Robert Cialdini’s work on the science of influence and persuasion in business and subsequent studies show that people who make commitments are more likely to consistently follow through on those commitments because it helps align them with their self-perceptions. In leadership, three defining traits are commitment, consistency, and persistence.

“Consistency is the bridge that connects commitment to success,” according to Gilbert Ang’ana, a leadership coach based in Nairobi, Kenya, and founder of Accent Leadership Group, a consulting group. “It’s the ability to stay on course, day in and day out, making steady progress toward the goals you’ve set.”

And while commitment is the cornerstone of that powerful troika, Ang’ana says that the principle of being “consistently persistent” makes great leaders, with Elon Musk being a case in point (for his contributions to space).

The power of “all in” expresses itself in people from ordinary walks of life. They are leaders in their field after investing 100 percent of themselves in their work, no matter how humble or seemingly insignificant.

Landmines, War, and Drug Kingpins

Take Jerry White, who went from losing his right leg in a landmine accident as an American student hiking in Israel in 1984 to winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for his commitment, consistency, and persistent battle to ban landmines worldwide.

The second half of the column’s title — “Power, influence, and Impact” — is the natural outcome of going all in.

Consider the case of Lynsey Addario, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist who confronts her own mortality as she bears witness to the world’s wars.

When Addario and three fellow journalists were documenting the Arab Spring uprising in Libya in March 2011, the unthinkable happened at a hostile checkpoint. The journalists had lingered too long to complete their reporting on the front lines and were cornered and taken hostage by Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s troops. They were beaten repeatedly, tied up, blindfolded, and threatened with execution before being released nearly a week later. As a guest on my podcast, "When It Mattered," Addario described how just a month later, she learned that two other journalist friends had been killed in Libya, leading to an existential crisis about the life-threatening nature of her work. But she understood that going all in on her photo reportage was core to her being and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Take also the also the case of Francisco Santos Calderón, a noted Colombian journalist and later, two-term vice president of Colombia. On Sept. 19, 1990, Santos was kidnapped by notorious Colombian drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar, one of 10 journalists and elites held hostage by Escobar that year. Santos was chained to a bed and held for eight months before being released. He was lucky to be alive. Between 1980 and 2000, nearly 180 journalists were killed for speaking up against the drug cartels.

But Santos refused to give up. He launched a highly successful campaign to reduce the epidemic of kidnappings in Colombia. Voters elected him to serve two terms as Colombia’s vice president under former President Álvaro Uribe. He later served as Colombia’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2018 to 2020.

Santos is still all in. He now wears his journalist hat again, highlighting the precarious political situation in Venezuela and speaking out about the security threats of Russia, China, and Iran.

These are just a few stories and more to follow. I hope that over time, this column can help readers become skilled at their own craft of leadership and fearless about going all in.

And, that, just like Maryland Governor Moore, when they find themselves in the spotlight as a leader, they will be able to convey their most authentic self to the world.

Ang’ana, G. (2023, October 27). The Power of Commitment, Consistency, and Persistence in Leadership. Accent Leadership Group .

Cialdini, R. B. (2007). Influence: the new psychology of modern persuasion. Morrow.

Isenberg, N., & Brauer, M. (2022). Commitment and Consistency. In The Routledge Research Encyclopedia of Psychology Applied to Everyday Life. Routledge.

When It Mattered, Ep. 61 — He became a celebrated anti-landmine crusader after a horrific landmine accident but then began questioning his superhero narrative / Jerry White, Nobel Peace Laureate / Author / Professor of Practice, University of Virginia

Techtopia, Ep. 30 — A war photographer’s images from Ukraine capture the toll of war and Ukrainian resilience, and humanity / Lynsey Addario, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalist.

Techtopia, Ep. 18 — A War Photographer Assesses the Ramifications of the U.S. Pullout of Afghanistan / Lynsey Addario, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalist.

When It Mattered, Ep. 35 — A war photographer confronts her own mortality as she bears witness to the world’s worst wars / Lynsey Addario, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.

When It Mattered, Ep. No. 63 — Kidnapped and held hostage by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar revealed the best and worst of humanity / Francisco Santos Calderón , former Vice President of Colombia and former Colombian Ambassador to the United States.

Chitra Ragavan is an executive coach, communications strategist, and a former journalist at NPR and U.S. News & World Report.

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8 Essential Qualities of Successful Leaders

• Rebecca Knight

And how to cultivate them.

Becoming a great leader is a journey of continuous learning and growth. It’s a process — one that thrives on embracing challenges, seeking feedback, fostering connections, and cultivating understanding. In this article, the author outlines the eight most essential leadership qualities, according to Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership. Star leaders aren’t born with superhuman capabilities, Linda explains. Rather, they tend to have intentionally put themselves in situations where they have to learn, adapt, and grow — a crucible for developing the tenacity and fortitude to motivate and guide others.

Do you have what it takes to be a great leader ?

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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• v.25(4); 2020 Jun

Perspectives: Go quickly, start now: a personal leadership philosophy

Context is everything. I write this against a backdrop where leadership, its presence, its manifestation, its absence and its consequences are in the spotlight both in my home country and across the world. For me, leadership is political, situational, contextual and personal. On a personal level I have functioned as a leader working within the complexity of global health for many years. Irrespective of the technical specialty in which I work, my focus has always been on organisational change (improvement) and influencing the behaviour of others. Change in this context is predicated to a large part on managerial leadership and support, and these elements have been described as critical for successful organisational performance and the implementation of quality improvement ( Roebuck, 2011 ; Ryan, 2004 ). Indeed, if I consider my current context, then accelerating progress towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the ultimate health-related goal of universal health coverage (UHC) requires leadership – a key structural attribute of a functioning health system – ‘If the top is not interested, it will not happen’ ( Koegler, 2011 ).

If I were to summarise my leadership story in a Tweet, it would be something like this: #graduatenurse #healthvisitor #infectionpreventionist #MBA #national #international #president #director #charitablework #author & #consultant. My own approach to leadership is influenced by my journey and by other factors including the academic literature, a library of leadership books and the individual leaders that have inspired me on the way. My story started with a nursing degree in the last century. That then progressed to my first ward, a novice nurse with a surprisingly bold voice, convincing those more senior to me to let me lead on the development of a nursing philosophy. Bringing colleagues on board, using a typewriter to print the co-developed philosophy (co-developed with staff and patients and their families), proudly framing and displaying it at the entrance to the ward. This is nothing special and I know that many colleagues will have executed similar things, particularly of my generation – but it’s my story and it’s the foundation for everything that happened next. I remember challenging colleagues on the rituals I saw all around ( Elliott et al., 2015 ). I quite literally digested the book by Walsh and Ford (1989) and probably recited it in my sleep. All of this I’m certain I undertook with annoying zealousness, but I think it set me on a path, a journey, and was a little bit of leadership bursting to get out. I didn’t realise it but I was challenging injustices and championing patient-centered care and the true value of nursing. And I was doing so in a position of being an outsider, at that time, and on that ward in the north of England, I was ‘the only graduate nurse in the village’. It was a stigma of sorts and I think it affected how I developed. I learned a lot.

Jump forward a few years and I’m a specialist nurse, an infection preventionist, in a big tertiary referral centre in the UK, managing a team. Another fork in the road and I decide to study for a master’s in business administration (MBA) rather than pursue further studies related more closely to the technical aspects of microbiology and infection prevention and control (IPC). This was perceived as a strange decision by some of my peers, but I was excited to learn more about how organisations functioned and the role of leaders therein. I wanted to be an effective (nurse) leader. Another decade passes and I find myself working at the World Health Organization (WHO), one of very few nurses (still the case although there are slightly more now than then) and in a relatively senior position, working alongside medical doctors. I lost count of the number of times my name plate in a meeting stated ‘Dr Storr’. I learned not to apologise for not being a doctor. On numerous occasions I was on the receiving end of a look of horror when I corrected senior medical colleagues at big international meetings to explain I was in fact a nurse. Anyhow, none of this stopped me moving forward, and over time my work has evolved to its current focus on supporting low and middle-income countries in building stronger health systems. It has also included a quest to lobby for IPC to be taken seriously beyond its echo chamber – a work in progress – trying to influence policy makers, those working in disease silos. And ultimately trying to position IPC as a fundamental component of quality care, to build a case for IPC as something that’s relevant to the SDGs, particularly goal 3.8 on UHC and quality ( Storr et al., 2016 ). All of these things have fed in to how I have developed in all aspects of my professional life and in particular as a leader. They have shaped my leadership philosophy.

My leadership philosophy is therefore underpinned by what I consider to be my purpose in the world of work. It may sound grand, but as I’ve developed I seek to be a powerful force for good in global health, to influence others to make healthcare safer, more equitable, and of a higher quality for all people with no one left behind. In particular it’s influenced by the work of Heifitz ( Heifitz 1994 ; Heifitz et al., 2009) and the notion of ‘adaptive leadership’. I became familiar with this work from personal interactions with Peter Pronovost – a ‘thought leader’ in the field of healthcare quality and safety. Intrigued to learn more I bought the books and set about reflecting on how this translated into my day-to-day reality. Heifitz and colleagues explain that adaptive leadership is concerned with mobilising people to tackle tough challenges and to thrive. My approach is also based around the central idea of a leader as a principled, authentic visionary – one who inspires others by acting as an exemplar. At its core are integrity, humility and empathy. It also draws on a number of theories including transformational leadership ( Boal et al., 1988 ; Boerner et al., 2007 ), performance-oriented or charismatic/value-based leadership ( House et al., 2004 ) and more recently authentic leadership that has attempted to overcome some of the criticisms of the former ( Michie and Gooty, 2005 ). Boal et al. (1988) describe the impact that transformational leaders have on the behaviour of others ‘lift(ing) ordinary people to extraordinary heights’. Transformational leaders act as role models, are respected and trusted, promote self-efficacy and provide meaning and challenge to the work of their followers ( Boerner et al., 2007 ). They galvanise followers around a vision of a better future ( House et al., 2004 ). It’s the vision part of this style of leadership that I like – transformational leadership per se coming in and out of fashion (and not without its critics). Lilley (2017) got it spot on when he said that leaders are ‘visible, have a vision and share it often’. So if I had to write my own vision statement it would be something like this. My vision is to inspire others through my actions and beliefs as an ethical humanitarian, in particular to empower others to believe in their capability to surpass their wildest expectations and to see their power as agents of change and improvement in a healthcare context, to improve the quality and safety of healthcare. My overriding purpose is to continue to be abundant, to engage others in realising dreams through inclusivity, togetherness and always with an eye on pursuing equity and social justice.

As well as having a personal vision, in recent years I have been stimulated by some studies of leadership, sat down and considered my own core leadership values, and these also inform my approach to leadership. My values in particular are influenced by recent literature on the cultural elements necessary for sustaining high quality compassionate healthcare ( Dixon-Woods et al., 2014 ) and the criticality of understanding one’s own values and emotions ( Michie and Gooty, 2005 ). My five core values are as follows: (a) I believe in social justice and that a single individual can shake the world gently (quote adapted from Mahatma Ghandi); (b) I believe in tolerance and respect for others in the pursuit of equity in healthcare – everyone is worthy of being cared for with compassion as a human right – no one left behind; (c) I believe in the power of collective action and teamwork, grounded in trust, in the pursuit of effective, safe high-quality healthcare; (d) I believe in ethical humanitarianism (actively engaging in the promotion of human welfare and social reform); finally, (e) I believe in humility, the power of listening and the capability continuously to reflect on one's actions ( Quinn, 2004 ), balanced with inner strength and belief, as a prerequisite for self-improvement.

I end this reflection with a more recent leadership experience that solidified all of the theory I had been carrying around within me. I have always wanted to challenge and change things in a positive way; especially the status quo. As a younger, more novice nurse perhaps looking back I was too zealous but I don’t regret a thing. Shake it up. Make people think. We should never stop doing that. More recently I was president of a 2000 member-strong charity – the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) of the UK and Ireland. I headed up its board of directors and this role for me was all about the realisation of the power and influence of leaders as agents of positive change. I realised I could work with the board and the members to help transform the organisation and I did this for a short time. In this time, I tried to support the society to become, and be perceived as, a force for good. It was a wonderful experience of putting into practice some of my leadership principles. In particular, this experience was about moving quickly, and drawing on all of those academic change management principles I’d digested over the years. The presidential role lasts 2 years (with 2 years as vice president). Time was limited and acting slowly was not an option – we had to create that sense of urgency (Dixon Woods et al., 2014; Kotter, 2007 ). We had to convince the members that change was vital for survival. First, we asked a series of questions: what was the overriding vision and mission of the society, what had it achieved in the last year and where was it heading in the next 5 years? The answer to this was simple – no formal vision and no formal plan. Under my influence the board simultaneously invested time listening to all members – what did they want? They told us, and over the coming years we listened. It was that simple, but it took a certain kind of leadership. The approach has been written up and makes interesting reading ( Storr et al., 2012 ). Here are some snippets. To win over the unconvinced a number of things took place – the survey acted as a catalyst to generate the evidence for change. It helped to craft a manifesto, a mantra, a script to sell the need for change. I convinced the board and the members that we had to ‘reinvent’ the society starting with co-developing a fresh new brand starting with a new logo. I implemented a weekly communication with all members, directly from me, that is, a personal touch. I started monthly drop-in sessions for members to connect directly with myself and the board. For me, success hinged on making the president role come to life – to be a visible, listening leader. We co-developed core values for the board to act on, as the standards that would drive all of our actions and nurture a previously absent (in my mind) sense of accountability to the members. I personally tried to lead by example. To engender in all members the unique influence they had over the million and a half people who worked in health and social care in the UK and Ireland, and therefore ultimately over the people who accessed healthcare – to make it focused on the impact we had on patient’s/people’s lives. I knew that success would be the execution of the strategy and its sustainability beyond my 2-year tenure – setting the stage for the next president and the next and so on, to give a solid long-term purpose to the board’s work.

What I learned from this experience were three things. First, that respect and reputation go a long way in convincing others of the need for change. Part of my success was that the board believed in me and they believed in me because I had a track record. Second, that the belief of the board (and ordinary members) gave me the courage to grasp the opportunity to transform the organisation – they made me feel that anything was possible. Third, that a mandate for change is critical – gathering evidence and listening to people made the difference between success and failure. To the virgin leader, what I have to teach is simple – it’s all about the planning. But paradoxically, I would also emphasise that it’s equally important not to be too rigid and ‘over plan’. Hold on to a small number of what you consider critical things you want to achieve and be prepared to listen and change direction. I did come across a number of organisational constipators who resisted change at all cost. I listened, but I let those around me drive the change forward using the momentum that had been generated through the manifesto/mantra and the member feedback.

The belief of others was ultimately what made the change possible and successful. If someone else believes you can do something, even though you may doubt yourself – that can make all the difference between stopping and carrying on. The belief of others coupled with your own inner passion for change is a perfect combination for success. And my own belief and how I sold this was critical. I built a compelling case for change and articulated that case in a calm and systematic manner – I developed a script and stuck to it. I made it clear that the benefits of the change were that as a successful society we could change people’s lives. Indeed, this emerged from the vision that was co-developed across the organisation.

Ultimately, what I’ve learned over the years is that to make an IPC programme work, in the largest, most highly specialised hospital or in a small remote rural health post, requires leadership. In particular it’s about making sure that we can influence the right people to make the right things happen. Communication is key to this. To make an impact and to change people’s lives, whatever model of leadership we aspire to, must be translated into leadership actions – ‘the messages that leaders send about their priorities are communicated more powerfully through their actions than their words’ ( Dixon-Woods et al., 2014 ). Informed by Covey (2004) and Bradberry and Greaves (2009) I reflect on my leadership approach at least each year, and even have a structured action plan to help me develop further as a leader with strong emotional intelligence. A clear, time-bound plan has helped instill a sense of urgency that guides and supports how I live out my leadership philosophy in the real world. As Berwick (2004) articulates perfectly ‘go quickly, start now – delay is waste’.

Acknowledgements

Special acknowledgements to the inspirational Dr Ann-Michele Gundlach, Assistant Professor – Adjunct, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health who deepened my understanding of the principles and practice of principled leadership.

Julie Storr originally studied for a degree in nursing at the University of Manchester before specialising in infection prevention and control (IPC). She is co-founder and director of S3 Global and currently supports a number of WHO teams (e.g. quality, water, sanitation and hygiene and antimicrobial resistance). She is on the steering group of Healthcare Information for All (HIFA), a trustee of Peoples-Uni and an honorary adviser to the Tropical Health Education Trust.

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Communicating & Influencing – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

• Updated January 15, 2024
• Published September 29, 2023

In the Civil Service, communicating & influencing is essential. But how do you highlight your experiences and proficiency in these areas into a concise 250-word statement during your civil service application?

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a fresh-faced aspirant, crafting a compelling narrative within such a tight word limit can feel like an art form in itself.

This article will help you show off your ‘Communicating & Influencing’ skills in your Civil Service application. Let’s make sure your application isn’t just good but the best among the rest. Ready? Let’s get into it!

What Does Communicating & Influencing Mean in Civil Service?

In the Civil Service, “Communicating & Influencing” isn’t just about passing on information or convincing someone to see things your way. It’s about building understanding, creating shared visions, and moving projects or ideas forward collaboratively.

Communication is the tool through which policies are explained, concerns are addressed, and the public is kept informed. Influence, on the other hand, is the soft power that facilitates cooperation across departments, ensures stakeholders are on board, and guides teams or projects to successful outcomes.

The significance of these skills is deeply rooted in the public-oriented nature of civil service roles. Effective communication ensures transparency, building public trust. Being a good influencer means you can negotiate, mediate, and lead effectively, ensuring tasks are done efficiently and the best outcomes are achieved for the public.

Given the diverse stakeholders involved in civil service work, from the general public to government officials and inter-departmental teams, the ability to communicate and influence becomes paramount.

Showcasing Communicating & Influencing in Your 250-Word Personal Statement

When crafting a 250-word personal statement, it’s essential to succinctly showcase these skills. Start by selecting a clear example using the STAR method: describe a Situation where effective Communication was needed; outline the Task or objective you were aiming for; detail the Actions you took, emphasizing both communication and influencing strategies; and conclude with the Result, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved through your efforts.

By presenting a focused narrative that ties together your experience with the competencies desired, your statement will not only resonate but also stand out.

• Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Leadership – How to Write a 250-word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Making Effective Decisions – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

How to Structure a 250-word Personal Statement?

Are you applying for a job in the Civil Service? The 250-word statement on the application is your chance to shine. They want to see if you are able to communicate and influence effectively. 

Are you wondering how to fit this in a small space? Use the STAR method. It’s a simple way to talk about what you’ve done and how. Let’s dive into how you can structure your 250-word personal statement.

• Start with a concise opening about the importance of communicating and influencing in the Civil Service. This sets the tone and context for your statement.
• Situation : Begin by setting the scene. Describe a specific situation where you were faced with a decision-making challenge and the need to communicate, and influence played a vital role.
• Task : Clearly state what your responsibility was in that situation. What decision did you have to make? Who did you need to communicate with or influence?
• Action : Dive into your role. How did you communicate? Did you employ presentations, meetings, or written communication? How did you influence others—through data, persuasion, or collaboration? This section is critical, so be specific about your methods and approach.
• Result : Conclude this section by sharing the outcome of your decision and, importantly, how your communication and influencing skills positively impacted the result.
• Wrap up by reinforcing the value of effective communication and influencing. Tie this back to the role you’re applying for, emphasizing your readiness and enthusiasm.
• Keep It Relevant : Ensure the situation you pick is relevant to the Civil Service role you’re applying for.
• Stay Concise : With a 250-word limit, every word counts. Be clear, concise, and avoid jargon.
• Proofread : Ensure there are no grammatical or typographical errors. A polished statement reflects attention to detail.

By following this structure and focusing on showcasing your communicating & influencing skills within the decision-making context, your personal statement will be both impactful and tailored to the demands of the Civil Service role.

How to Write a Personal Statement Within the 250-Word Limit

Writing a personal statement for the Civil Service in just 250 words might seem tough, but it’s all about getting to the point. Think of it as telling a quick story about a time you did something impressive at work. You don’t need fancy words; just be clear about what happened and how you made a difference.

Writing a 250-word personal statement for a Civil Service application might seem daunting, but think of it as your elevator pitch – concise yet impactful. In such a tight space, every word must pull its weight, effectively showcasing your strengths and experiences. To illustrate your ‘communicating and influencing’ skills, the STAR method is a tried-and-tested tool. It provides a structured way to tell a compelling story, ensuring you cover the most essential aspects of your experience.

To write a compelling 250-word statement, here are a couple of tips to help you get started. 

• Situation : Briefly describe the setting.
• Task : Outline the challenge or responsibility you had.
• Action : Detail how you communicated or influenced to address the task.
• Result : Share the positive outcomes of your efforts.
• Be Concise Direct : With limited words, skip the jargon and get to the point. Say what you mean as straightforwardly as possible.
• Prioritize : Focus on one or two key experiences rather than trying to cover everything. Quality over quantity is the mantra here.
• Proofread : A small error can stand out in a short statement. Make sure your grammar, punctuation, and spelling are spotless.
• Relate to the Role : Ensure your statement directly relates to the Civil Service role you’re applying for. Tailor your experiences to show you’re the right fit.

Your personal statement is your first impression. By following these tips and integrating the STAR method effectively, you can ensure it’s a memorable one.

Example Personal Statement Civil Service

Below, we discuss five different examples of civil service personal statements.

Example 1: Civil Service Communicating & Influencing

Being effective in the Civil Service hinges on two crucial skills: Communicating and Influencing. At its core, it’s about sharing ideas clearly and getting people to see things from a shared perspective. My career has been a testament to the power of words and the art of persuasion.

Situation : In my previous role at the Education Department, we faced a backlash against a proposed modernized curriculum. Parents were concerned, believing we were straying from foundational learning.

Task : My responsibility was not just to explain the changes but to win the trust of these concerned parents, ensuring they understood the broader vision.

Action : I organized a series of open-house sessions in schools. Instead of a lecture-style format, I set up interactive booths showcasing the new learning modules, with educators available for real-time discussions. Recognizing the power of peers, I facilitated sessions where parents who supported the changes shared their perspectives, addressing concerns in a relatable manner.

Result : The face-to-face engagement made a difference. Over the span of a few weeks, we witnessed a significant shift in sentiment. By the end of the month, over 75% of parents expressed confidence in the new curriculum, a stark rise from the initial 20%.

In the dynamic landscape of the Civil Service, Communicating and Influencing is the compass that ensures we navigate challenges cohesively, turning apprehensions into shared achievements. I am eager to continue harnessing this skill, marrying clarity with conviction in every endeavor.

Example 2: Civil Service Communicating & Influencing

In the Civil Service, the power of Communicating and Influencing cannot be understated. It’s where strategy meets the public, where policies touch lives. My journey has consistently underscored the criticality of lucid communication, married with the ability to inspire, motivate, and align stakeholders toward common objectives.

Situation : Within my role at the Urban Planning Department, we grappled with public dissent regarding a new urban green space initiative, largely stemming from misconceptions and inadequate outreach.

Task : It fell upon my shoulders to not only clarify the initiative’s intent but to rally public support, turning detractors into advocates.

Action : I spearheaded a multi-pronged communication campaign, launching informative webinars to dispel myths. Recognizing the value of personal stories, I collaborated with local communities to document and share testimonials of individuals whose lives were positively impacted by similar projects elsewhere. I also organized participatory workshops, offering a platform for direct dialogue and ensuring public voices shaped the initiative’s final blueprint.

Result : This multifaceted approach bore fruit. Within four months, public support swelled from a mere 30% to a robust 75%. More than mere numbers, the initiative became a testament to the power of collaborative governance, with the green space reflecting shared visions and aspirations.

Drawing from such experiences, I firmly believe that in the realm of the Civil Service, Communicating & Influencing is the bridge between intent and impact. I am deeply committed to leveraging these skills, ensuring that public service remains a dialogue, a partnership, and a shared journey.

Example 3: Civil Service Communicating & Influencing

Effective Communicating and Influencing are the backbone of thriving in the Civil Service, binding together policy, execution, and public welfare. My career trajectory has been underpinned by a knack for clear communication and the ability to shape perspectives, forging bridges and crafting consensus even in challenging terrains.

Situation : During my role in the Local Council’s Environmental Committee, we were confronted with widespread community resistance against a proposed waste recycling facility.

Task : My challenge was not just to disseminate information but to shift deeply entrenched community perceptions, ensuring they understood the long-term benefits of the facility.

Action : I orchestrated a series of town hall meetings, incorporating multimedia presentations for clarity. Understanding the concerns, I collaborated with environmental experts to weave compelling narratives supplemented with data. Beyond just speaking, I ensured these sessions were interactive, encouraging community questions and addressing them with evidence-based responses. Simultaneously, I initiated a door-to-door campaign, using tailored leaflets and engaging in one-on-one dialogues.

Result : Over a span of three months, the resistance metamorphosed into endorsement. A post-campaign survey reflected a 70% approval rate, up from an initial 20%. The recycling facility was greenlit, and more vitally, the community became proactive participants in sustainable initiatives.

In the heartbeats between policy and public, Communicating and Influencing acts as the rhythm. With a passion for fostering understanding and shaping change, I am eager to channel these competencies, ensuring the Civil Service’s initiatives resonate deeply and effectively.

Example 4: Civil Service Communicating & Influencing

The core of Civil Service revolves around Communicating & Influencing. Navigating this space requires more than just conveying information; it demands the finesse to sculpt understanding, drive change, and achieve shared goals. My experiences have continually reinforced the transformative power of adept communication coupled with strategic influencing.

Situation : As a lead coordinator during the launch of a citywide digital literacy initiative, I was faced with skepticism from older residents, many of whom felt overwhelmed by the rapid tech influx.

Task : My objective extended beyond the logistical rollout; I needed to ensure that this significant demographic not only understood but also embraced the initiative, turning apprehension into empowerment.

Action : Recognizing the power of relatability, I organized a series of ‘Tech Buddies’ workshops. Pairing senior residents with tech-savvy youth volunteers, these sessions focused on personalized, hands-on training. Additionally, I liaised with community influencers, securing their endorsements, and had them share their personal tech-learning journeys through local media.

Result : The tandem of personalized sessions and influential testimonies worked wonders. Within six months, the adoption rate among senior residents surged by 60%. The initiative, initially met with hesitation, transformed into a community bonding experience.

In the the Civil Service, Communicating & Influencing are the threads that weave together diverse stakeholders, objectives, and challenges. Drawing from my experiences, I am resolute in my commitment to harness these skills, ensuring that communication transcends barriers and influence catalyzes positive action.

FAQ: Civil Service Communicating & Influencing

• It encompasses the ability to express ideas effectively, listen actively, and persuade or influence others positively, ensuring collaborative and productive interactions.
• Given the collaborative nature of public service roles and the need to liaise with diverse stakeholders, effective communication and the ability to influence decisions is crucial to achieving desired outcomes.
• Provide specific examples in your personal statement or during interviews where you’ve effectively conveyed ideas, brokered agreements, or navigated complex interpersonal scenarios.
• While the Civil Service values clarity, accuracy, and inclusiveness in communication, the tools or styles may vary depending on the department or role. Familiarity with formal communication, reports, and presentations can be beneficial.
• Whether it’s in policy formation, stakeholder interactions, or internal team coordination, the ability to shape opinions, drive consensus, or motivate change is a frequent requirement.
• While it’s a universally valued skill, roles involving stakeholder management, public relations, policy advocacy, or leadership may particularly emphasize this competency.
• Yes, the Civil Service often provides training modules for effective communication, negotiation, and other related soft skills to help employees excel in their roles.
• Focus on understanding your audience, being concise, providing relevant data or context, and encouraging feedback or dialogue to ensure clarity and impact.
• In senior roles, this competency becomes pivotal in shaping departmental strategies, liaising with governmental bodies, influencing public opinion, and leading teams effectively.

Related posts:

• Making Effective Decisions – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Leadership – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Civil Service Interview Questions & Answers

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Natalja Atapin

Natalja Atapin is a seasoned job interview and career coach at Megainterview.com and brings a decade of recruitment and coaching experience across diverse industries. Holding a master's degree in Organisational Psychology, she transitioned from coaching to managerial roles at prominent companies like Hays. Natalja's passion for simplifying the job search process is evident in her role at Megainterview.com, where she contributes practical strategies to assist professionals and fresh graduates.

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