43+ Sample Leadership Statement

What Is a Leadership Statement?

Similar to a mission and vision statement, a leadership statement is an assertion of a person’s personal or professional commitment as a leader. Regardless of field, a leadership statement can help the  individual stay true to their values, especially during trials and tribulations.   

According to the Center for Creative Leadership, leadership is neither a destination nor a solo achievement. It is not so much about a single, charismatic individual; but more of a group of people putting together collective effort to bring about progress and results. The online article further summarizes the top ten essential leadership skills. These are integrity, ability to delegate, communication, self-awareness, gratitude, learning agility, influence, empathy, courage, and respect.   

Qualities of a True Leader 

What makes a good leader? This has been a favorite topic of countless discussions. Aside from being someone who is able to pool the right resources and get the job done, a leader carries much more responsibility than that. People tend to praise leaders on the usual characteristics like being a visionary or being able to motivate others. The examples listed below are other key traits a leader ought to possess too.  

Fair: A true leader is a vehicle for justice and equality. It may sound like a tall order; because it really is. Exercising fairness and objectivity is challenging. But a leader is able to set aside personal biases and suspend unnecessary judgment. Throughout history, leaders have been known to challenge oppressive systems and fight for what is fair to all. Openminded: Many people are familiar with the image of a boss who loves barking orders. But a boss is not always a leader. A lesser known portrayal of a leader is that of a leader who listens. Listening and understanding are important components for anyone who wants to lead. A good leader hears both sides of the story and practices sound reason and principled judgment when calling the shots. Honest: Honesty is vastly underrated in today’s world. It is one of the most basic human virtues yet there are still a lot of people who struggle with telling the truth. Integrity is an essential trait for any person; more so a leader. It is so important that the word integrity is almost synonymous with character. A person with unquestionable character is usually considered someone with high integrity. But of course, honesty and integrity are traits that are not achieved overnight. It is a constant process that a leader must consistently work on. Generous: Generosity is a trait many people admire. And it is especially important for leaders. This does not only mean material or economic generosity. But it also means when one is generous and giving when it comes to time, knowledge, effort, and skills. Everyone loathes a micromanager yet there are so many bosses who nitpick at everything. A good leader is generous enough and understands how to delegate tasks. A true leader is not only an exceptional mentor, but he or she is genuinely interested in seeing their subordinates grow and mature in the workplace.  Emotionally Mature: The mark of a true leader is his or her emotional maturity. They actually care for their team members and people under their supervision. They also provide a nurturing office environment. This entails going beyond the tasks and functions. A good leader takes the time to assess each individual member’s qualities, strengths and weaknesses. Competent: Obviously, leaders should not only rely on sentiment or interpersonal skills. Competence is a required trait in all leaders. He or she must be diligent and responsible enough to get the job done. Team members must be able to rely on their leaders for support, guidance, and expertise. Level-headed: They say a person’s true nature is revealed in times of adversity. One true test of leadership is being able to remain calm and collected amidst turmoil. Weak and poor leaders abandon ship or wash their hands of accountability when things go awry. Only the strong and capable ones stay level-headed and face the challenges head on.

Tips in Crafting a Leadership Statement

Every leadership statement is different and depends entirely on the individual’s ideals and beliefs. Keep in mind the following tips below to craft a more impactful statement:  

Be Bold: People who want to change the world and make a difference do not get to do that by settling for mediocrity. If you want to challenge norms and draw people to your vision, use bold and impactful language. However, it is important to note that being bold does not mean being arrogant or full of yourself. It is wanting to change and improve a situation or system for the better. It comes from a place of dreaming boldly to achieve a common good, not self-serving ends. Be Realistic: Leadership statements must also be grounded in reality. It is not enough to have big dreams and goals yet have no concrete plan to execute those dreams. It is perfectly fine to aim high but the tone of your statement should at the same time, also be realistic and attainable. Keep it Brief: No one wants a long, drawn out statement that contains nothing more than flowery words. Keep your leadership statement brief and straight to the point. This delivers more impact compared to lengthy ones that drag on. If it helps, your statement can also be divided into bullet points or key agenda items. Be Action-oriented: Similar to a mission-vision statement, your leadership statement should be action-oriented. Use active verbs or descriptive language for a more effective and provoking statement. Words like affirm, recognize, or commit are good examples of action-oriented language. Make it Value-laden: In any leadership statement, it is important to express your values and principles clearly. It is not enough to use action words or make promises; you also need to communicate what ideals and standards you are willing to stand up for and uphold. For instance, if your leadership statement vows to promote greater transparency within an organization; your values would naturally involve honesty and integrity.

How to Create a Leadership Statement

Whether you are a head of a small startup company, CEO of a multinational conglomerate, or even president of a country, a leadership statement should speak to your beliefs and values. Follow the steps below to begin making your statement:   

Step 1: Reflect on Your Values

What is the one thing that matters to you? Everyone values something or finds importance in something; it could be relationships, professional development plans and growth, or even causes or advocacies. Values are an essential part of a leadership statement and should therefore be reflected accordingly. A good way to get the ball rolling is to actually sit down and take the time to reflect on what values matter to you most. Most of us have more than a single value or principle that we adhere to. In cases like these, it is important to prioritize. It helps to list your values down according to importance.      

Step 2: Use Personal Pronouns

A leadership statement is personal in a way that it is an individual’s ideals and standards that are projected onto the statement. No two leaders are exactly the same; and a generic-sounding statement may not come across as authentic. Using personal pronouns or a first person voice will make your statement seem more sincere.    

Step 3: Be Direct and Concrete  

Make sure to establish your smart goals and objectives clearly. Brief statements are more effective than long paragraphs. Also, use verbs and descriptive language to promote concrete action and plans. Avoid peppering your statement with fancy or flowery words. In other words, it is still best to be direct and straightforward when crafting leadership statements.  

Step 4: Refine the Statement

Lastly, ensure that you review the statement before publishing it. Like all written work, it is always good practice to refine and rewrite as needed. You can have your leadership statement proofread by a trusted aide, friend, or colleague. A second set of eyes can work twice as well than just one.  

FAQs

How do you start a leadership statement?

Like any regular essay, a leadership statement can contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You can start a leadership statement with an impactful opening line. Use personal pronouns like “I”.

What is a good example of leadership?

The best kind of leadership is servant-leadership. The common perception of people is of a leader or boss who likes to be catered to or who has multiple people doing tasks for him. But in fact, leaders have a greater purpose than just giving orders. Take for example the case of public office. Many civil servants know that they were elected or appointed to their position in order to serve and not to be served. People who use their position other than to serve others are often entitled or even abusive of their authority.

What is a leadership vision statement?

A leadership vision statement reveals the ideals and purpose of the leader. It is a declarative statement that pushes not just the agenda of the individual, but the values he or she espouses. 

What are the roles and responsibilities of a leader?

According to career guide website Indeed, team leaders can fill in various roles including manager/supervisor, strategist, communicator, organizer, and goal setter. As team leader, the responsibilities are also greater. It is the duty of the leader to coach other members, develop the team’s strengths and improve weaknesses, identify goals and assess progress, resolve conflict, and organize team initiatives.

Leadership statements are more than just emotion-stirring and sentiment-driven declarations. They serve as a reminder for people, not just leaders, that there are greater needs to address and collective solutions to deliver. Are you a leader yourself? Or are you striving to become one? Browse through several sample templates above to create your own personal statement today!