blog Harvard Leadership | 3min Read

7 Steps To Become A Successful Young Leader

Published on March 3, 2022

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7 Steps To Become A Successful Young Leader

Leadership is a journey and not a destination. A leader is always evolving and is open to new ideas and new ways of doing things by being open to different perspectives. A successful leader challenges stereotypes and grows from the opportunities.

The 7 Steps to Become a Successful Young Leader

The importance of leadership cannot be stressed enough. Leadership starts young. A good leader is focused, curious and always eager to learn. There are many steps to climb in the journey of becoming a good leader, but the 7 important steps to becoming a successful Young Leader are –

1. Pursue your Passion

Work should not seem like work. It is only when you believe in something 100% will you be able to convince others about your dream and lead them successfully. Set sails for the thing you love the most and turn your passion into your work. By starting young, you have the advantage of charting your own course.

2. Observe

Listening and observing others is a great way to learn about people and work. Different people have different ways of getting things done. A successful leader observes, understands and decides upon the best course of action having evaluated all possibilities and by taking everybody into confidence.

3. Lead by Example

A Leader leads by example. Right from being punctual, to respecting others, to taking responsibility for actions, a successful leader should set an example to everyone and lead from the forefront. Be the kind of leader you would follow yourself. When you lead by example, you inspire your team to emulate your good traits. Your habits organically trickle down to your team and it improves the work culture and raises the overall efficiency of the organization.

4. Stay Organized

Clear, concise and precise – a successful leader stays organized in thoughts and actions. From the workspace to the decisions made, everything must reflect clarity. When clarity is lacking, everything quickly descends into chaos. Finding the right space for files and utilities on the desk, organizing resource inventories, assigning the right instructions to the right people, everything requires clear organization and execution.

5. Accept Mistakes and Learn from them

Mistakes are bound to occur owing to age and inexperience, but accepting the mistake and learning from it is the trait of a successful leader. A good leader never makes the same mistake twice. 

6. Identify Strengths & Work on the Weaknesses

Successful leaders are well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of not only themselves but also of their team. They are great at delegating and identifying the best person for the job.

7. Evolve

Mistakes are bound to occur owing to age and inexperience, but accepting the mistake and learning from it is the trait of a successful leader. A good leader never makes the same mistake twice. 

Hone your leadership skills

A leadership development program can go a long way in nurturing and developing leadership skills. A leadership development program offers a great opportunity to indulge with qualified professionals who can help you define a purpose and educate you to reach your full potential. A good education consultant or counselor can tap into your potential and push you in the right direction to be a successful leader.

Unleash The Leader In You with Harvard YLC

Harvard Youth Lead the Change is a leadership development program created by professors of the Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and the Harvard School of education, and held by Harvard students. Held for students in grades 8 – 12, the program aims at empowering students and unlocking their leadership capabilities as they develop tangible solutions to global problems. Over the 7 day course, the students work in a group to understand a global issue and develop a social change project to address it. Through this program, students learn about core leadership skills such as collaboration, public speaking, time management, and self-knowledge. 

The Harvard trainers also hold one-on-one sessions with students who continue to serve as mentors after the program. On finishing the program, there is an opportunity to complete mentorship for an entire year, to implement their project. Presented by The Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC), this Harvard student organization aims to provide and promote leadership development opportunities across the world.

 

 

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blog Leadership | 2min Read

How Leadership Development Programs Set You Up For Success

Published on December 7, 2021

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How Leadership Development Programs Set You Up For Success

Leaders inspire others to do more. They carry their team to greater heights by influencing people to achieve more. Most leaders want to lead well, but only a few succeed.

Leadership, learning and development are indispensable to each other. The foundation of leadership is constant development through learning. A good leadership development program helps metamorphose leaders into great leaders and accelerates growth. It has the ability to transform an organization.

Great Leaders Build Great Organizations

Leadership is a personalized, ongoing and engaging approach. It is by no means a one-and-done process.

Good Leadership Development Programs like Harvard YLC uncover unique strengths and areas of improvement. The programs work on the needs and requirements to nurture young leaders. They serve as a great platform to connect the young leaders with engaging content that is personalized based on their unique needs. The programs create opportunities for leaders to practice their skills and work with their teams.

Leadership Development Programs will give you clarity on where the gaps are and where help is needed the most. They give you a measure of where you stand. An assessment of your current skill is an effective way of knowing where improvement and strengthening is needed. It gives you the clarity to know where to focus your time.

Access to resources is another attribute of a good leadership development program. It helps in rapid skill acquisition and a better level of absorption and retention.

Helping young leaders connect with experienced leaders is yet another trait of an effective leadership development program. The transfer of knowledge between a mentor and a mentee is a powerful method of augmenting and nurturing young leaders.

A Leadership Development Program helps you identify and improve your communication skills and empowers you to have the greatest impact.

Discover & Nurture the Leader in You

Leadership is a proven program that accelerates growth and transforms organizations. Harvard Youth Lead the Change is a leadership development program created by professors of the Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and the Harvard School of education, and held by Harvard students. Held for students in grades 8 – 12, the program aims at empowering students and unlocking their leadership capabilities as they develop tangible solutions to global problems.

A 7-day conference provides the students with an opportunity to work in a group to understand a global issue and develop a social change project to address it. Through this program, students learn about core leadership skills such as collaboration, public speaking, time management, and self-knowledge.

Presented by The Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC), this Harvard student organization aims to provide and promote leadership development opportunities across the world.

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blog Leadership | 4min Read

How To Identify and Improve Leadership Skills Within Yourself

Published on November 16, 2021

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How To Identify and Improve Leadership Skills Within Yourself

It is said that great leaders are born and not made. While the truth of this adage is certainly debatable, it is definitely true that leadership skills can be identified, inculcated and nurtured.

Leaders have the potential to influence great changes. What a leader says or does has a great impact. Good leaders always respect themselves and others. A great leader always chooses the harder right rather than an easier wrong. They take responsibility for their actions.

Though each leader is unique, successful leaders share a few common traits. These traits can be identified, developed and nurtured to create great leaders.

Initiators.

Great leaders are excellent initiators. They always strive to help others in any way they can. They proactively look for opportunities, volunteer for responsibilities and are a part of the solution.

Demonstrate a desire to do more than what your role includes. Be ready to assist in other domains. Identify issues and try to develop potential solutions.

Critical thinkers. 

Failures are inevitable. But the ability to think rationally, critically and avoid failures or rise from a setback is what sets great leaders apart. Leaders understand failures may happen, but they do not dwell on the mistakes.

Use failure as a learning opportunity and a way to improve your skills. Learn to think critically and use failure as a motivation to succeed.

Listen. Listen. Listen. 

The biggest problem is that people do not listen to understand – they listen to reply. Leaders listen more than they need to speak. This allows them to gain a better insight into the situation and determine if they need more data before making a decision.

The word ‘Listen‘ contains the same letters as the word ‘Silent.’

Motivate.

Successful people build each other up. Encouraging others to succeed is a trait of a good leader. Good leaders give credit where it’s due and avoid taking credit for others’ work.

Good leaders help others feel confident about themselves. Learn to enjoy seeing others succeed. Be a part of a process. Success is all about what you inspire others to do.

Stay Disciplined.

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Leaders have to remain focused. They have to be able to work in all types of conditions without getting distracted. With self-discipline, anything can be conquered.

Discipline is the key to success. Motivation gets you going, but it is the discipline that keeps you growing.

Keep Learning. 

Learning is a continuous journey. Leaders welcome the chance to learn new skills or ideas. They are constantly on the path of updating and upgrading themselves.

Be willing to learn new things. Learn continually – there’s always one more thing to learn.

Delegate.

Delegating tasks is a vital part of being a leader. Finding the perfect person for the job is a skill that good leaders excel at. Leaders avoid trying to complete every task themselves. They ensure the perfect completion of the job.

If you are good at something, do it. If you are not good at something, find someone who is good at it and get the job done.

Conflict Resolvers.

Leaders work well with others. They have strong interpersonal skills. They effectively sniff out conflicts and snuff them out immediately. A good leader identifies discordant notes and ensures a harmonious working environment.

Play fair, but play tough. Learn to work with others.

Nurture your leadership skills

Leadership development programs help in nurturing and developing leadership skills. They help you develop your strengths and work on your weaknesses. There are various leadership development programs in India that are great places to indulge with qualified professionals. They empower you to reach your full potential.

Lead the change with Harvard YLC Leadership Conference

Youth Lead the Change is a leadership development program created by professors of the Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and the Harvard School of education, and held by Harvard students. Held for students in grades 8 – 12, the program aims at empowering students and unlocking their leadership capabilities as they develop tangible solutions to global problems. Over the 7 day course, the students work in a group to understand a global issue and develop a social change project to address it. Through this program, students learn about core leadership skills such as collaboration, public speaking, time management, and self-knowledge.

The Harvard trainers also hold one-on-one sessions with students who continue to serve as mentors after the program. On finishing the program, there is an opportunity to complete mentorship for an entire year, to implement their project. Presented by The Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC), this Harvard student organization aims to provide and promote leadership development opportunities across the world.

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blog Leadership | 5min Read

What Does It Take To Be An Effective Leader?

Published on July 23, 2021

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What Does It Take To Be An Effective Leader?

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and more importantly, shows the way. A good leader inspires, provides direction and motivates the people around. They nurture strengths and talents, and provide confidence and courage. Leadership is about vision and responsibility, not just power.

So, What Does It Take To Be An Effective Leader?

Leadership is all about action. It is the capacity to translate vision into reality. Integrity, insight and the ability to inspire comes naturally to leaders. Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower. Coming back to our question: What does it take to be an effective leader? Look at the list below to see the common traits that the most effective leaders have!

1. Decisive

Leaders have a clear vision and a set goal. They have a decisive idea about what they want, how to achieve it and what success looks like. They are inclusive and carry the team along with them. They nurture the strengths and talents of their people and build teams committed to achieving common goals. Work towards your goal with enthusiasm and your team will draw inspiration from you and get equally motivated!

2. Set an example

The best way to gain the respect of others and inspire them to do better is by setting the right examples. Leaders set high standards and live up to them. This inspires the team to be a better version of themselves. Action, more than words, will make your team more inclined to follow your example.

3. Effective Communication

Communication can make the difference between success & failure. The power of effective communication can motivate others to action and inspire new ways of thinking. The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and tactfully is a crucial leadership skill.

4. Evolve

Learn, improve, implement, learn. Leaders find resources & means to constantly evolve. They use their learning to improve their actions and use the results of their actions as a means of learning. They are constantly learning and evolving.

5. Speed and Accuracy

The ability to make fast, difficult, yet correct decisions rests on the shoulders of a leader. A leader must make the decision with conviction and follow it through. Being a resolute and confident decision-maker will allow you to capitalize on opportunities and earn the respect of your team.

6. Acknowledge Success

Lastly, a leader must realize that success is not final, neither is failure fatal. It is important to acknowledge the success of the team and appreciate the efforts. This boosts morale and motivates the team to give their best. It is equally important to help the team bounce back from a blunder. A leader must view bad experiences as an opportunity for growth. On a leader’s journey to the top, he/she must acquire skills to be able to foresee. The most serious failure of leadership is the failure to foresee.

How Do You Hone Your Leadership Skills?

Often, leadership does not come naturally. While it is true that inherent characteristics and experience are the best teachers, it is still a skill that can be learned, developed and acquired. Enrolling in leadership development programs can especially go a long way in helping with that. There are various leadership development programs in India run by qualified professionals and mentors who can help you define a purpose and educate you to reach your full potential. A good education consultant or counsellor can tap into your potential and push you in the right direction.

Unleash The Leader In You With Harvard YLC Conference

Youth Lead the Change (YLC) is one such leadership development program. The most important thing while developing leadership skills is getting the right experience and YLC is all about that. YLC is a program created by professors of the Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and the Harvard School of education, and conducted by Harvard students. Held for students in grades 8 – 12, the program aims at empowering students and unlocking their leadership capabilities as they develop tangible solutions to global problems. Over the 7 day course, the students work in a group to understand a global issue and develop a social change project to address it. Through this program, students learn about core leadership skills such as collaboration, public speaking, time management, and self-knowledge. 

The Harvard trainers also hold one-on-one sessions with students who continue to serve as mentors after the program. On finishing the program, there is an opportunity to complete mentorship for an entire year, to implement their project. Presented by The Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC), this Harvard student organization aims to provide and promote leadership development opportunities across the world.

Our advice to young students seeking greater leadership skills is to go out there, talk to mentors and build experiences. Find a problem, build a solution that benefits the whole mankind. Leadership can be learned if you have commitment and determination.

The Big Red Group and our Ivy Early Entrepreneur Program

In our entrepreneurial workshop – Ivy Early Entrepreneur, students go through the process of business development and leave the entrepreneur program having completed a business model canvas, competitive analysis, financial model, minimum viable product, and a pitch deck.

Students get an opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs who are alumni of reputed universities and are experts in their respective industries.

These experts serve as coaches guiding students through the processes of developing a business concept. Risk-Taking, Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Communication &

Storytelling, Design Thinking & Innovation, and Opportunity Recognition are a few of the key learning areas of our program.

On successfully completing the entrepreneur workshop, the guaranteed internship will be extended to all the students within our partner firms and with most of the mentors teaching the program. Students will be provided with a certificate of participation by The Big Red Group. This certificate can be used for your college portfolio.

Ivy Early Entrepreneur

11th – 17th Jan 2022

Idea Generation | Market Research | Design Thinking | Pitching

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blog Leadership | 3min Read

How to Develop Leadership Skills As a Student

Published on May 6, 2021

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How to Develop Leadership Skills As a Student

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Barack Obama, Narendra Modi, Malala Yousafzai , Elon Musk and countless others who are known for their success in their respective domains have one thing in common, Leadership. These people did not follow the herd rather made a mark by their strong leadership qualities. And you know what? Take a good look at yourself. You, too, have the ability to be a leader. Continue reading to learn how to improve the leadership skills you need.

In today’s highly competitive environment, leadership has become an important 21’st century skill for anyone hoping to succeed. Leadership skills become the benchmark in every industry to seek growth opportunities and succeed.

Here are a few skills an effective leader must possess:

The first step of becoming a young leader starts with school. School or college can be one of the best places to gain the toolkit to bring out change in the world with your fresh perspective and new ideas. In today’s education model, we have multiple Leadership development programs that act as a stepping stone for young kids to get into the right direction and to create a whole new generation of achievers.

Ways to Improve leadership skills as a student:

You, as a student, must be flexible to learn and acquire skills to become the best versions of yourself. Students’ life plays a major role in chalking out what kind of person you will become. Here are a few ways to become the role models you’ve had for yourself.

  1. Join a club : Involvement & Effective communication is one of the key aspects of a leader. It helps you indulge with people and make your voice heard even in a group, what it takes to be a changemaker.

  2. Become a Learner : As John F. Kennedy once said, “ Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” One who is ready to learn always has more experience and can face any challenge with confidence and determination. Learn wherever you can may be from a teacher, education consultant or a fellow student.

  3. Start your passion Project : Your formative years are the perfect time to experiment with your ideas and passion. Leadership for you should start with making mistakes and learning from them. A passion project is something where you can explore your ideas and understand your strengths & weaknesses.

  4. Extracurricular Activities: Extracurricular activities give you the opportunity to lead and fuel your desire to stand out. Sports activity or group activities in the class can be a great place to take charge and be innovative.

  5. Enrolling in Leadership Development programs: There are various Leadership development programs in India which are great places to indulge with qualified professionals who can help you define a purpose and educate you to reach your full potential. A good education consultant or counsellor can tap into your potential and push you in the right direction.

All of the above pointers can help you learn and upscale your leadership skills. However, choosing the right one can be tricky. The best way to do so is to participate in and try as many activities as possible. That’s why, The Big Red Group has joined hands with World’s top universities like Harvard University, Ivy League, Cornell University, and many more, to design leadership programs. Our Youth Lead the Change Program is driven by Harvard Alumni along with 1- Year free mentorship. What are you waiting for then? Are you ready to begin your leadership journey as a leader?

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