“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

Many believe that certain people are natural-born leaders. You may feel like a leader at heart, but it takes more than passion and vision to become an effective leader in the world today. Truly great leaders also possess a mindset, specific skills, and the ability to navigate a business setting. If you feel that you have a natural talent, that’s a great start – now you need to learn how to evolve your skills, strategize a business plan, manage a team, and inspire real change.

This is where a leadership bachelor’s degree can come in handy. With a bachelor’s degree in leadership, you will master the fundamental – and advanced – skills needed to jumpstart a leadership career or advance in your current organization. These are all versatile skillsets, which can be applied to any setting, and include:

• Effective Communication
• Employee Development
• Strong Ethics
• Facilitating Change
• Leadership and Management
• Mentoring
• Supervision
• Teamwork

According to U.S. News, “Employers value job candidates with organizational leadership skills, particularly those who interview for management positions. As a result, the employment outlook is positive for those who earn bachelor’s degrees in [leadership.] These graduates may also advance to executive-level positions after they gain experience in the field.”

If you are like many of the best leaders out there – carrying big goals and high expectations – you’re likely willing to take the steps needed to make it to the top. In order to climb the career ladder to a leadership or management role, at least a bachelor’s degree is recommended. Some employers desire candidates with a master’s degree in leadership, as well. (You can compare the two options here!) Through a leadership degree program at the bachelor’s level, you will learn how to:

• Analyze effective organizational structure, culture, strategy and change.
• Integrate elements of successful organizational communications across multi-cultural perspectives.
• Assess worker behavior and appraise performance management systems in light of talent development.
• Incorporate and support team-building skills and processes.
• Assess effective organizational leadership development-theory and practice.
• Evaluate and practice ethical decision making in the organization.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy

The skills learned in a leadership degree program are not only indispensable, but also applicable, to any workplace. Every organization needs a leader, a manager, someone to help them succeed. Whether you manage people or operations, a department or the entire business, this level of learning is as valuable as it is versatile.

As a result, a leadership bachelor’s degree can be applied in a variety of careers after graduation. Goodwin’s graduates of the leadership program, for example, find careers they love in settings such as:

• Corporate – Take those ethics and teamwork skills and climb the ladder in a big business.
• Education – Through advanced communication and organizational skills acquired, you can inspire students and help them advance in their academic careers.
• Law Enforcement – Only a strong leader can help facilitate change in our criminal justice system.
• Manufacturing – The level of supervision and teamwork skills gained in a bachelor’s leadership program will equip you for a hands-on manufacturing job at the managerial level.
• Military – With cultural and interpersonal studies mastered, you can take charge in a leadership role as you protect the home of the brave.
• Nonprofit – As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a milder of consensus.” Turn your learned leadership skills into positive change with work through a charitable organization.
• Retail – Those with strong organizational and communication skills can advance far in the retail industry.
• State/Federal – There are a variety of positions at the state and federal level that require strong leadership skills. Whether your passion is Parks & Recreation or Public Safety, you will excel in a government role using your skills from a leadership bachelor’s degree.

If you know where you want to go as a leader, a career-focused college, such as Goodwin College, will help you get there. With a bachelor’s degree in leadership and management, you will develop business connections and seize opportunities you have never before considered. You will hone those skills that employers desire, the awareness you need to get going, and the drive you need to reach your goals.

Goodwin College’s Management and Leadership training program is now offered online. Learn more about earning your leadership bachelor’s degree at Goodwin by calling 800-889-3282 or request more info online.