Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: Essential High School Leadership Training

Young people learn how to be leaders throughout their lives, taking from examples they see in their families, peers, and the media they consume. Schools can help guide this learning to help students build effective and empathetic leadership skills and prepare for the complexities of their social, academic, and professional lives. Particularly in high school, leadership guidance can help shape them into confident, capable, and compassionate community members. By building skills and purpose during these formative years, students develop prosocial behaviors that benefit both themselves and their communities.

Key Leadership Skills for Grades 9-12

• Self-Awareness + Self-Management: The foundation of leadership starts with understanding oneself. Younger students particularly benefit from learning how to identify their strengths, weaknesses, values, and emotions. Self-management skills, such as setting goals, managing stress, and maintaining focus, are equally important. With these skills as a foundation, students are supported to grow more interpersonal leadership skills. 
  
  
• Communication + Collaboration: Effective leaders articulate their ideas clearly and listen to others with empathy. When students learn to work in teams, resolve conflicts, and build consensus, they also become better collaborators. These skills are critical for fostering positive group dynamics and achieving shared goals.
  
  
• Decision-Making + Problem-Solving: As they age, young people face more complex challenges in academic and social contexts. Teaching students how to analyze situations, consider multiple perspectives, and make informed decisions empowers them to take initiative and act as responsible leaders.
  
  
• Ethical Leadership, Integrity + Purpose: Character development is a crucial aspect of leadership. Students need to understand the importance of ethical decision-making: integrity, honesty, and accountability are key traits that students should embody as they prepare to lead in or out of school. Simultaneously, helping students develop purpose enables them to align their actions with their values and make ethically sound decisions as part of the leadership roles they take on. 
  
  
• Adaptability + Resilience: A growth mindset helps students stay flexible as they face challenges as opportunities for learning and growth. Related to this is resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks. These skills are especially important given that students today face a future workforce characterized by uncertainty and rapid technological advancement. 

Growing Leaders School-Wide

• Creating a Leadership Culture Throughout School
  Leadership training is most effective when it’s embedded within a school’s culture. This means fostering an environment where leadership is encouraged and recognized across all grade levels. Schools can create leadership opportunities for students at every stage, from underclassmen engaging in peer mentorship programs to upperclassmen organizing school-wide initiatives. By making leadership a visible and valued part of school life, educators help all students see themselves as potential leaders.
  
  
• Standalone Leadership Classes
  Offering dedicated leadership courses is one of the most direct ways to teach leadership skills. These classes can provide a structured environment where students explore key leadership concepts, such as ethical decision-making, communication, and teamwork. A well-designed and structured curriculum like Wayfinder’s Purposeful Leadership can guide students through a sequenced learning experience that helps them recognize their strengths, act in ways that align with their personal values, and build effective and compassionate leadership competencies over time.
  
  
• Classroom-Based Leadership Activities
  Leadership training doesn’t have to be limited to specific classes or clubs; it can be integrated into everyday classroom activities. Group projects, for instance, are an excellent opportunity for students to practice leadership. Assigning roles within groups, such as team leader or project manager, can help students develop their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment. By naming and practicing skills ahead of time, you can also build in opportunities for reflections, peer reviews, and individualized feedback on students’ leadership performance. 
  
  
• Extracurricular Activities
  Extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, debate clubs, or theater productions, naturally lend themselves to leadership development. These settings often require students to take initiative, work with others, and manage time and resources effectively. For example, Wayfinder partners at Burbank High School have succeeded in boosting campus belonging through PE and leadership development in sports. Coaches, teachers, and club advisors can enhance leadership learning by encouraging students to take on leadership roles within their teams and guiding them in reflecting on their leadership experiences. 
  
  
• Student Government + Leadership Groups
  Participating in student government or other leadership-focused groups gives students practical experience in leading their peers. These roles require students to make decisions, solve problems, and make a tangible impact on schools, providing a real-world context for applying leadership skills. Educators can support these experiences by providing guidance and mentorship, helping students reflect on their leadership styles and learn from their experiences.
  
  
• Individual Activities for Skill-Building
  Sometimes, leadership skills need to be developed through focused, individual activities. Teachers can incorporate leadership exercises into their lessons or use standalone activities to address specific skills, such as conflict resolution or ethical decision-making. For example, Wayfinder’s Activity Library and Collections offer leadership exercises that can be used at any time to target particular areas of need, allowing educators to address leadership development in a customized way relevant to their class’s curriculum. 
  
  
• Leadership in Community Service
  Community service projects offer another avenue for leadership training. Research shows that helping others can reduce depression and improve overall life satisfaction, and it also helps young people build valuable life skills. When students engage in service, they often need to organize efforts, work with diverse groups, and respond to real-world challenges. These experiences not only help students build leadership capabilities but also instill a sense of responsibility and empathy, key components of ethical leadership.