Be a Leader: How to Build Leadership Skills and Choose the Right Leadership Program

Why leadership skills pay off

Management and leadership roles are among the better-paid and faster-growing parts of the U.S. labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for management occupations was $126,520 in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations, and that employment in these occupations is projected to grow faster than average from 2025 to 2035, with about 1.1 million openings a year. Within that group, training and development managers, the people who run leadership programs inside organizations, had a median wage of $133,000 and 6% projected growth.

Those numbers describe a large group of very different jobs, and no course guarantees a promotion. But they show why employers keep investing in leadership development, and why a credible program on your resume can help when you apply for your first management role or step up to the next one.

The skills that make up leadership

“Leadership” is too vague to study directly, so it helps to break it into four parts. A good program covers at least three of them.

New managers usually need the second and third most urgently. Aspiring senior leaders need more of the fourth. Knowing which area is your weakest point tells you what to look for in a program.

Types of leadership programs

Cost, duration and recognition differ widely, so check current figures with each provider rather than relying on a rule of thumb.

How to choose a program: an 8-point checklist

1. Outcomes. Does the program say what you will be able to do afterward, in concrete terms, rather than “become a better leader”?
2. Who teaches it. Look for instructors with real leadership or research experience, and check who actually issues the certificate.
3. Practice and feedback. Leadership is a skill, so programs with case work, role-plays, projects or coaching beat lecture-only courses.
4. Time per week. Be honest about what you can sustain alongside work. An unfinished program helps nobody.
5. Total cost. Include exam, certificate and subscription fees, and ask what happens if you need extra time.
6. Recognition. Search job postings in your field. Do employers mention the credential, the issuing school or the skills?
7. Accreditation and credit. If you want degree credit later, confirm that the institution is accredited and that credits transfer.
8. Refund and trial terms. A free audit, trial period or clear refund policy lowers your risk.

Treat sample lessons, learner reviews and syllabus details as evidence, and be cautious of programs that promise promotions or salary increases.

Where to find programs

Large online learning platforms are a practical starting point because they list many programs from universities and companies in one place and often let you preview content. The table below describes what each platform generally offers. Check each provider’s current catalog, pricing and terms.

Disclosure: some links above are affiliate links. If you enroll through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. VillanovaU is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any university or with the platforms listed. Our recommendations follow the checklist above, not commission rates.

Looking beyond leadership? Our program comparison pages cover certificates in project management, business analysis, HR and more.

A 10-question self-assessment

Rate yourself from 1 (rarely) to 5 (almost always). Better still, ask a trusted colleague to rate you too.

1. I ask for feedback and act on it.
2. I stay calm when plans fall apart.
3. I explain why a task matters, not only what to do.
4. I delegate work I could do faster myself.
5. I have honest, specific conversations when performance slips.
6. I recognize good work in a way people value.
7. I can say what my team’s top three priorities are, and so can they.
8. I make decisions with incomplete information and explain my reasoning.
9. I build relationships beyond my own team.
10. I keep commitments, including small ones.

Your lowest two scores point to what to study first. Notice that none of these require a title; you can practice every one of them today.

A 90-day plan to start leading now

Days 1–30: observe and listen

• Complete the self-assessment above and pick one skill to improve.
• Ask three people for specific feedback: “What is one thing I should do more of, and one thing less?”
• Watch a leader you admire and write down specific behaviors, not general impressions.

Days 31–60: practice small

• Volunteer to lead a small project, meeting or process improvement.
• Practice one technique per week, such as stating the goal at the start of every meeting, or giving feedback within 24 hours.
• Start a short learning plan using a course or book that targets your chosen skill.

Days 61–90: review and commit

• Ask the same three people for feedback again and compare.
• Decide whether a structured program would speed your progress, using the checklist above.
• Share your development goals with your manager and ask what opportunities exist.

Go deeper: leadership theory and styles

Understanding how leadership has been studied helps you choose a style deliberately rather than by habit. These guides cover the main ideas:

• 5 types of leadership styles for managers
• Great man theory of leadership, the oldest idea and why most researchers moved on from it
• Contingency theory of leadership, which says the best style depends on the situation
• What is ethical leadership?
• The differences between a boss and a leader
• Top 10 ways to be a better leader

If your goal is to move into people management, see also our human resources guides, especially on performance evaluations and job satisfaction.

Frequently asked questions

Can leadership be learned?

Yes, to a large extent. Skills such as communication, delegation, feedback and decision-making can be practiced and improved. Research on managers also suggests people differ in natural aptitude, so deliberate practice and honest feedback matter.

What is the best leadership certificate?

There is no single best one. The right program depends on your level, field and goals. Use the checklist above: clear outcomes, credible instructors, practice with feedback, realistic time and cost, and recognition by employers you want to work for.

Are online leadership programs worth it?

They can be, particularly when they include projects and feedback and when you apply what you learn at work immediately. Passive video-only courses tend to be less effective, and a certificate alone rarely changes how you are seen at work.

How long does it take to become a good leader?

Leadership develops over years, but you can see meaningful improvement in a few months if you pick one skill, practice it deliberately and collect feedback, as the 90-day plan above describes.

Do I need a degree to become a leader?

Not necessarily. Many leaders advance through experience, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry education for many management roles, such as training and development managers, so a degree can help.

What is the difference between management and leadership?

Management is mostly about planning, organizing and keeping work on track. Leadership is mostly about setting direction and influencing people to follow it. Most jobs need both, in different proportions.