Journal Prompts on Leadership Skills

• 1. Write about the attributes needed for a successful leader. Include characteristics such as charisma, energy, confidence, assertiveness, tactfulness, knowledge, decisiveness, adaptability, and motivation.
• 2. What are some ways you encourage others to be leaders? Do they feel comfortable taking charge? Are there any signs that you lack a strong leadership style?
• 3. Describe the qualities of an excellent leader: Do you have any strengths when leading a group? What can you contribute to help others grow into confident leaders?
• 4. What does your work environment look like? Does it reflect what kind of leader you want to be?
• 5. Think about yourself as someone who is ready to assume command at work, school, home, and everywhere else. What makes you unique in your approach to managing situations? Why do you want to become a leader?
• 6. If you could travel back in time and meet someone famous from history, who would it be? Explain why you chose him/her. Share details that make this person memorable.
• 7. Describe a situation where you felt you were not a very good leader. Did you recognize any warning signals in the moment? What might you do differently next time?
• 8. When was a time that you needed to step up and take responsibility because no one else would? Were you able to successfully manage the situation? Which strategies did you use?
• 9. Who has been a positive influence on your career path? Has anyone influenced your thinking so much that it changed the direction you are heading? Have you ever tried to imitate the way that he or she behaved? How did that turn out?
• 10. Share with us a quote by someone you admire about how to be a good leader.
• 11. How can you effectively build relationships within teams and groups? Write about the importance of developing solid working relations between team members.
• 12. List three things people usually don’t know about you. Share personal stories that illustrate how these qualities have helped you succeed.
• 13. Share four traits that make you an effective leader. What specific actions have led to each trait?
• 14. What qualities do you value most highly in other people? Which ones do you ignore?
• 15. Who inspires you as a leader? How do you emulate that person?
• 16. What experiences have made you stronger as a leader? Where did you learn those lessons?
• 17. What questions do you ask before making decisions? How often do you make good choices based on facts rather than emotions? Can you give an example of when you failed miserably at self-control?
• 18. How important is communication in your work? How do you communicate well? Explain your experience using examples and anecdotes.
• 19. What are five things you do to reduce stress and anxiety while carrying out difficult tasks? How effective do you find them?
• 20. Tell us a story about a situation or person who inspired you to lead others.
• 21. Write about a strategy you developed to handle a frustrating situation.
• 22. What do you do to motivate yourself to stay productive amid distractions?
• 23. What role does humility play in leadership? Could you describe a time when you behaved unethically and how you managed yourself through it? What kinds of consequences resulted as a result of your poor behavior?
• 24. How will you demonstrate respect for coworkers and followers? Do they need to show their commitment in return?
• 25. You are responsible for ensuring that you always act in accordance with the company’s mission statement. Choose a small aspect of your job and explain how that part fits into the bigger picture.
• 26. Reflect on times at work when you were under pressure and you reacted poorly. Discuss what happened as you prepared yourself mentally for what came next.
• 27. What are two ways your parents shaped your life?
• 28. Share an example of a time when you had to overcome adversity. How did you cope? What advice would you offer another person facing similar challenges?
• 29. Share a time when you faced a challenge and overcame obstacles. What motivated you? Were there any rewards along the way?
• 30. Did anything unusual happen at work recently (e.g., an accident)? What did it teach you about human nature? What did you do differently because of this incident?
• 33. What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in business? The best decision you’ve ever made? Why?
• 34. Describe an inspirational speech from someone else, including some details such as setting, tone, delivery, etc.
• 35. Give a detailed description of a meeting where you felt like your suggestions weren’t heard. Use concrete examples, if possible.
• 36. If you could change one thing at work, what would it be?
• 37. Name three things you can accomplish today no matter what happens tomorrow.
• 38. Think back over the last few weeks/months: Have you accomplished any goals? Were they meaningful? Were they achievable? Identify specific examples of when you succeeded. Tell us more about them.
• 39. What have been the most rewarding moments in your career so far? Most challenging experiences?
• 40. Describe a success or failure you experienced from which you learned something. What was it about that particular event that allowed you to learn so much?
• 41. What does the word “passionate” mean to you? Are you passionate about your work? In what ways?
• 42. What would you say to people who complain about feeling stressed at work? Would you tell them to stop complaining? Explain why not.
• 43. Why are leaders important? Who defines leadership? What are the keys to successful leadership?
• 44. Imagine you’re watching your boss give instructions and you don’t understand. Then imagine you respond by telling him or her to take a hike. Would this approach really make sense? And if you did, what kind of reaction might you expect?
• 45. List four things you’d want to hear from a leader.
• 46. What’s one common mistake people make in a workplace romance? What can you do to avoid making these mistakes?
• 47. What keeps you awake at night?
• 48. Write about a situation in your personal or professional life where you handled a difficult interpersonal encounter well and another time you handled it poorly. Was it easier to handle the first scenario? Explain.
• 49. Is there anything you regret having done in the past? What would you suggest other people do to prevent repeating a similar error?
• 50. Do you think you should always listen carefully to others before responding? Explain.
• 51. What’s your worst habit in working with others? Which ones come close? Why do you think these habits develop?
• 52. If you were asked to name five traits required for good leadership, what words would you use? What words would you leave out?
• 53. Read the following statement: “Leadership is the art of influencing people to achieve mutual objectives through persuasion rather than coercion.” Does this definition apply to all situations? Why or why not?
• 54. Share one tip about leading others you’ve picked up along the way.
• 55. Talk about a time when you had to make a hard decision. Were you able to follow through? Explain.
• 56. Can you identify two things you would never compromise? Please explain.
• 57. Describe a time when you faced pressure — either external or internal (e.g., family problems) — and you were able to overcome the challenge. What helped you stay focused and motivated?
• 58. What would you consider your best strengths? Worst weaknesses? Why?
• 59. Describe a time you made a difference in terms of helping others succeed. How did you accomplish this?
• 60. Describe a time someone else worked hard to help you complete some task. Have you ever turned down such an offer?
• 61. Why is being compassionate necessary for effective leadership? Why is it sometimes a more difficult quality to master than a desire to win?
• 62. Describe a time that a manager gave you constructive feedback when you needed it. Did he or she seem concerned about your feelings? Explain.
• 63. Write about a mentor whom you admire. What qualities does he or she possess that distinguish them from others?
• 64. Name three people you respect and admire as a result of their ability to lead effectively.
• 65. Explain how empathy helps you relate to others.
• 66. Share one example of compassion in your own life.
• 67. Define leadership and describe its characteristics.
• 68. Talk about a time you showed courage while facing adversity. How was it different from doing something merely because it was expected of you?
• 69. Think back over your career and list some instances when you overcame obstacles to be successful. When have you failed to act heroically and overcome challenges?
• 70. List several ways in which you can influence others in order to improve your effectiveness as a leader.
• 71. What do you feel most comfortable doing when it comes to managing conflict? Why?

Conclusion

I hope that these writing prompts have helped you to be one of those outstanding leaders out there. There’s no doubt that leadership skills are essential if we want to thrive and succeed.

The key thing is that we must learn to become better listeners, better communicators, better managers and, above all, better human beings.

Good luck!