Leadership Development Plan Template

Define what makes a great leader - The best way to make a leadership development
plan is to draw inspiration from today's ‘great’ leaders. Select and critically evaluate two
(2) great leaders: make a list of leadership skills that you think make up the traits,
competencies, abilities, and experience of each leader, identifying areas they are good at,
and areas they are lacking.

Self-assessment - Identify your core leadership characteristics:

(i) These are personality traits like fearless, observant, or introverted – to

identify your traits, you can use results from personality tests such as the
Myer Briggs Type Indicator or the Big 5 Personality Test;
(ii) It includes your mindfulness – use results from the Self-Assessment
Mindfulness Quiz completed in Session 1;
(iii) It includes your core values - identify and give reasons for the importance
of your core values. Core values are the principles you use to make decisions
and define integrity and ethics. They are the things that help you weigh
choices in life and are typically unwavering.

Write a personal vision and mission – State your vision and mission statement. Include
a paragraph that encapsulates everything you would like to be, do, and have in your
career. It defines what success and excellence look like to you. It expresses your vision for
where you want to be in the future, and it reflects your values, goals, and purpose and how
you want to operate. Writing a personal vision statement offers the opportunity to
establish what is important to you and can help enable you to chart a new course when
you're at a career crossroads or even just beginning in your career.

Analyze what others think of you - After spending some time in self-reflection, it is time
to ask yourself what other people - your peers, bosses, and those you already lead- think
about your leadership style and capabilities. Identify three (3) individuals who know you
very well. Consider who will provide honest feedback to you, and who will take the time
to provide a thoughtful answer. Inform them that you are taking a class that requires you
to find out more about yourself and your potential as a leader. Ask each individual to
provide three examples of when they have seen you at your best (specifically, one of your
most valuable attributes; one situation that really brings out the best in you; one way you
add value/make an important contribution), and three (3) examples of areas you should
improve on.

Identify your current leadership skills and where there is room for
improvement - In this step, compare your core leadership characteristics to that of the
two (2) leaders previously identified, and the responses from the three (3) individuals who
you approached. Using this information, craft your portrait of your Reflected Best Self -
you should identify the skills and traits you currently possess and identify gaps where
there may be room for your improvement.

Set goals - From the skills and traits list above you can pinpoint two or three areas
where you can improve. For example, if you found that you there is room for
improvement in communication style or knowledge of different cultures, then you can
set leadership development goals to help you reach your goals. (Refer to our session on
setting SMART goals)

Write an action plan - You have your goals. Now it is time to make an action plan for
achieving them. The action plan lays out (i) the specific steps you will take, (ii) resources
you will use, and (iii) the support system you will build to reach your goals.

Note: Ensure that you include relevant theories, models, examples, literature,
additional research (use appropriate citations) for each of these areas in your plan.