Four student volunteers in their Lancer gear showing spirit

Leadership Competencies

Leadership Development

Leadership Competencies

Mastering leadership competencies will prepare you for future career and personal success. These five competency foundations shape the learning experiences offered through Lancer Leadership programming.

Leadership is not limited to formal titles. It develops through communication, collaboration, reflection, responsibility, and meaningful engagement with others.

Competency 1

Teamwork and Collaboration

Effective leaders create environments where people can contribute, develop, and work toward shared goals.

  • Building productive relationships
  • Mentoring, motivation, and empowerment
  • Group development

Competency 2

Communication

Leadership communication requires careful listening, clear expression, and the ability to address disagreement constructively.

  • Listening
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Conflict negotiation

Competency 3

Self-Awareness and Development

Strong leaders understand their values, recognize areas for growth, and use feedback to improve their practice.

  • Self-development
  • Clarifying personal values
  • Receiving feedback

Competency 4

Personal Leadership Behaviours

Leadership is demonstrated through everyday choices, personal accountability, ethical conduct, and dependable action.

  • Follow-through
  • Responsibility for personal behaviour
  • Ethics
  • Initiative and independence

Competency 5

Civic Responsibility

Leadership includes understanding the wider social context of our decisions and contributing thoughtfully to inclusive communities.

  • Understanding and appreciation of cultural and human differences
  • Social responsibility
  • Global perspective and appreciation of diversity
  • Commitment to social justice

Putting Competencies into Practice

Students develop these competencies through workshops, conferences, collaborative activities, student organizations, research, volunteering, employment, and community engagement.

The goal is to acquire leadership practice through building capability, confidence, and character.

Source: Corey Seemiller, The Student Leadership Competencies Guidebook.