Leadership roles examples: Best Examples of Leadership Roles

Best Examples of Leadership Roles

Here is a list of leadership roles to consider if you want to gain more leadership experience or identify ways in which you have served as a leader.

Mentor

A mentor is an individual who has gained a substantial amount of experience at a company or within their industry and acts as an advisor to someone who is less experienced. They lend their expertise, knowledge, and counsel to provide a wise perspective. Through this perspective, they offer a glance into the future and serve as a reserve of information for the novice. A mentorship can be formal or informal and is a relationship that is developed through a trusted bond where the mentor act for the benefit of the mentee and offers valuable and informative advice to support the mentee in their professional goals.

Coach

A coach is someone who offers their skills and knowledge to help individuals improve upon their own skills and abilities. Coaches guide others and businesses toward improvement by focusing on strengths, teamwork, and understanding. This particular leadership role requires the use of many transferable skills such as empathy, communication, and positivity. Coaches provide consistent and constructive feedback based on performance, observation, and quantifiable data. By motivating others using their expertise and support, coaches often serve as leaders to large teams and can offer guidance individually or in groups. Often gaining trust both professionally and personally, those who coach benefit from the opportunity to guide others and typically build long-lasting relationships with many.

Trainer

A trainer often facilitates classes and guides others through modeling ways to improve their skills, abilities, or knowledge. They tend sessions, lead seminars, or workshops that interactive and are geared toward improving a specific skill set or capability. Trainers can be anyone who shares their knowledge to help others strengthen their own abilities and perform better. The role requires strong communication and listening skills to create strategies and methods for others to follow. Trainers typically function in a formal capacity and because they offer their expertise in smaller and more intense sessions, don’t often build strong personal relationships. They do benefit from professional bonds by forming and helping others form key network connections.

Influencer

Often based on experience, an established reputation, and knowledge, an influencer guides the actions and opinions of others through example. They can usually wield their authority on a specific subject to generate interest and inspire action. Although an influencer can be a specific and formal role, any individual who can lead and has swayed a group opinion or used their authority and leadership to regulate action and determine outcomes can be an influencer. Influencers use their reputation as experts in a specific industry to impact the behaviors and opinions of others.

Manager

Managers are often leaders of small groups of people and are tasked with organizing, motivating, and guiding others to achieve goals. A manager can be a formal role but if you have ever worked in a capacity where you helped to organize or lead a team using your communication, problem-solving, and evaluation skills then you have held a leadership role as a manager. Managers may also be in charge of helping new team members acclimate to rules, procedures, and general company culture by providing informative sessions or leading small informal meetings. Managers are familiar with the inner workings of an organization and may be required to facilitate in the training of new and existing group members within an organization.

Strategist

If you have ever worked in a capacity where you have identified a problem, sought a solution, and applied it with success, then you have leadership experience as a strategist. Strategists develop plans and step by step procedures by keeping the goal in mind and creating logical steps to guide a team towards achieving that goal.

Developing a strategy and implementing it effectively requires leaders to be inquisitive and take action to discover new methods and procedures to solve problems, often on a daily basis. Strategists are experts at identifying and anticipating problems to plan solutions before issues arise. They implement advanced critical thinking for their process and are very observant individuals.

Communicator

Leadership positions that require you to be a good communicator, ensuring that you understand others clearly and are understood by them, exist at all levels and in many different industries. A good communicator exhibits leadership skills by using verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication to ensure a clear message.

Listening skills are essential to effective communication and necessitate the ability to ask probing questions to ensure complete understanding for all participants. Including a friendly demeanor and communicating respect through language and action reveal leadership potential and are necessary for successful guidance. The success of a project often rests on solid communication skills to ensure that all members are working together toward the common goal.

Visionary

A visionary is anyone who can see the potential in an individual, group, or organization and uses their influence, knowledge, and strong communication skills to help the group understand, achieve a goal and reach their potential. Visionaries are often highly creative individuals who utilize the strengths of others to see projects come to fruition. Even something like leading a fundraiser or organizing a party for a co-worker can show that you are a visionary who envisions a plan and takes active steps to make it a reality. Visionary leaders often exhibit strong communication skills and are highly persistent.

Role model

Role models serve as examples for others and inspire those around them to action through their own actions and individual personalities. Other people can be inspired by role models and want to emulate them. Leaders serve as role models by being examples of integrity, persistence, optimism, and hope. Role models lead by example and exhibit characteristics and traits that others hope to emulate because they respect and admire them. Although many in leadership roles are role models, it is not necessary to have a formal leadership position to serve as a role model to others within your industry or company. Simply conducting yourself admirably and having a solid and respectable work ethic can prove you to be a strong role model for colleagues.

Organizer

An example of a leadership role that is necessary at every level is an organizer. The skill to think logically and strategically plan out to organize individuals, events, and programs requires problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Leaders who can assemble a group of individuals and delegate responsibilities effectively so small tasks are completed in steps to accomplish a larger objective are sought after in every industry. Additionally, people who see a logical order to documents or ideas and can arrange them to reveal information clearly and in an easily accessible manner are skilled organizers with strong leadership skills.

Motivator

Exhibiting the skill to inspire others to action by persuading them, often verbally, is another example of a leadership role. Motivators use verbal praise and various methods of positive reinforcement to help team members work collaboratively towards a common goal. A skilled leader can motivate others and keep teams focused for long periods of time to help guide projects toward successful completion. Motivators have a solid understanding of time management and team capacity and can harness the strengths of individuals within a team to help the collective group succeed. Motivators harness their skills to instill in others the want to work and the yearning for success.

8 Leadership Experiences You Didn’t Know You Already Have

For a lot of people who’ve just graduated from college and are hitting the job market, filling out a resume with relevant experience can seem daunting—particularly for those who don’t have a resume full of related job experience to rely on. But they might have more leadership experience than they think, according to hiring managers.

“Employers understand that graduates may have limited practical work experience,” says John Mauck, HR director for WLR Automotive Group. He feels it’s even more of a turnoff when a graduate points out their lack of work experience. “Underselling yourself is as big of a negative as overselling. ”

Instead, make a point to highlight the experiences you do have. If you’re thinking you don’t have anything to include, then think again. Read on for some examples of leadership experience you might have that employers love to see.

Leadership experience that could help land you the job

When you think of leadership experience examples, you may be overlooking some important things you could be highlighting in a resume or job interview. Just because you have minimal professional experience, doesn’t mean you have nothing you could draw from.

We asked business pros to share some examples of leadership roles that could catch the eye of potential employers.

1. Sports

“Your competitive edge, the understanding of what it takes to be a team member and leadership skills are all transferable intangibles that can set you up for success,” says Ryan Moffat, sales development recruiter for Betts Recruiting. She adds that athletes tend to have a goal-based mentality at work instead of a 9–5 mentality—a leadership trait that’s highly sought after.

How to sell it:

While you might decide not to include this information in your resume (unless you were team captain or earned an award), you can easily touch on your athletic experience in an interview.

Moffat recalls one candidate who played professional volleyball abroad after graduating. “He nailed his sales interview by explaining that what he learned on the court could translate well to a sales organization,” she explains.

2. Cross-cultural experience

Travelling abroad or even working on a project with a different cultural group in your community can teach you communication skills you wouldn’t learn elsewhere. “Voluntarily putting yourself in uncharted waters makes you face new and uncomfortable situations,” Moffat says.

How to sell it:

If your cross-cultural experience involved work, study or a volunteering, include it on your resume. If not, find a way to naturally weave these leadership experiences into your interview conversation to highlight skills you learned or barriers you overcame. Cross-cultural experience indicates that a candidate won’t shy away from new experiences and the adversity that may come with them, according to Moffat. Capitalize on that.

3. Social groups

Book clubs, theatre, dinner groups—the opportunities for social activities are endless. These extracurricular activities can shed light on important attributes that appeal to hiring managers, according to Damini Tandan, director of Corner Office Advisors. She says she specifically looks for applicants who cite involvement in social activities, expecting they will have well-rounded, confident personalities.

How to sell it:

If your interviewer asks about hobbies, focus on things you love to do that involve activity and social interaction. Let the more solitary hobbies (like watching Netflix) take a backseat to activities that highlight desirable work traits.

4. Internships

This one should be a no-brainer. Internships are one of the most accessible ways to gain work experience in your field and impress employers. Landing one shows you have enough initiative to seek out practical work and learning opportunities. Tandan says internships are the best indicator of a motivated individual.

How to sell it:

If an internship appears on your resume, it’s a good bet your interviewer will want to talk about it, Tandan says. “Whatever you answer on these, be prepared to have a detailed conversation,” she says, adding that the interviewer will be just as interested in the way you talk about yourself as in what you actually highlight.

5. Volunteering

“[Volunteering] indicates to employers that you have an ambitious, ‘go-getter’ attitude about your work,” according to Todd Dean, co-founder of Wirkn. Volunteering in any capacity demonstrates a willingness to commit to something you are passionate about. Everyone would like to do something that matters to them, but it’s the people who actually commit their time who are truly motivated.

How to sell it:

Include volunteer experience on your resume and be prepared to talk about it. “Highlight experiences by relating them to the work done by the company you are interviewing for,” Dean suggests. If you connect your experiences to your potential role in the company, it shows employers you understand the work they do.

6. Student government and organizations

“Active involvement in student government suggests you care about making situations better, which is important in any business,” says Yuri Khlystov, CEO at LaowaiCareer. He adds that just mentioning you were part of a student organization or government isn’t enough on its own. “I want to know what you did to make your college better,” he says. “The more specific, the better. ”

How to sell it:

Stories are powerful,” Khlystov says. Paint a picture for your potential employer of a specific moment or project you took on. “Try to be brief, but make sure you get some key facts across,” he recommends. “I want to know how your leadership has impacted those around you. ”

7. Passion projects

“I’m always really impressed when I hear about ad hoc projects that are connected to bettering communities,” says Jaclyn Ciamillo, co-founder of Surprisingly Good. She references mentoring younger students or community projects as experiences that showcase commitment to passion. “Working on projects that focus on bettering communities shows me they will likely focus on the greater good of the team,” she adds.

How to sell it:

Ciamillo suggests explaining how those experiences and activities connect to who you are as a person. “Be authentic as well,” she adds. “If you aren’t passionate about something you are talking about, the hiring manager will see through it. ”

8. Any time you worked in a team

“It almost doesn’t matter what the activity was,” says Ben Brooks, CEO of PILOT. “It matters what your part to play was. What role did you take on? How did you make it better?” Brooks says anything from helping out with a family member’s event to participation in a campus volunteer day can demonstrate leadership skills if you make the connection.

How to sell it:

“Don’t leave it to the interviewer to connect the dots on what the experiences mean,” Brooks says. “Explain the transferable skills. ” He also recommends sharing the “why” behind what you did. “Use the interview in a vivid and memorable way to bring to life the things that make you who you are,” he adds.

Leverage your leadership experience

“It’s not about making yourself something you are not,” Mauck says. Instead, demonstrating leadership is about recognizing the value of your experiences and being prepared to explain the transferable skills.

“Every interview is different,” Moffat adds, “but if you show that you’re coachable, have a great personality and are confident in your career path, you’re demonstrating that you’re the right candidate for the job. ”

Now that you’re aware of some examples of leadership roles that could impress hiring managers, it’s time to capitalize on them. Instead of dwelling on your lack of professional experience, focus on highlighting the leadership experience you do have. Just beware of the little mistakes that could hurt your chances—check out our article, “26 Common Resume Mistakes That Will Lose You the Job.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in January 2017. It has since been updated. Expert insight remains from original article.

definition and examples • BUOM

February 22, 2021

If you want to advance your career and become the leader of a company or organization, it is important to understand that there are various leadership roles available to you. The more you understand these leadership positions and their differences, the more you will be able to find the role that best suits you and your qualifications. In this article, we will define what leadership titles are, their importance, and provide you with examples and steps to get a leadership title. nine0003

What are leadership titles?

Leadership titles refer to positions or titles given to a person holding a leadership position in a company or organization. These titles signify the role they play in the management of the company. Typically, each role has different functions, such as managing employees or overseeing the company as a whole. It is important to note that the names themselves will vary depending on the company or organization itself. Some leadership positions include chief executive officer, chief financial officer, president, and vice president. nine0003

Leadership ranks are displayed in a hierarchical structure with the highest ranking leader at the top and the lowest ranking employees at the bottom. This type of structure helps employees see the chain of command in the organization. Since management positions have more serious responsibilities, their salaries are significantly higher than those of other lower-ranking employees. Their high salary is also related to their industry experience or length of service in the company. nine0003

Why are leadership titles important?

Leadership titles are important because they help define not only the hierarchical structure of an organization, but also the overall roles and responsibilities of those leaders. Having leaders in general means that there are people in the company who make important decisions regarding its structure, finances, and more. Leadership titles also help determine who certain employees report to and where employees and leaders fall in the chain of command. nine0003

Companies and organizations hire leaders not only to lead their companies but also to represent shared corporate values. These leaders play a vital role in the future of a company or organization, whether it be their funding, marketing efforts, or the company as a whole.

List of Leadership Titles

Leadership titles available within a company will vary depending on the company itself, its size, industry, and more. Typically, the top management positions in an organization consist of the chairman of the board of directors, vice chairman of the board, and members of the board of directors. These roles operate outside of the organization itself. In addition, there are several internal management positions that follow the chain of command of the company. Here are some examples of leadership roles you may be faced with:

1. Director of the company

2. Main operating directors (including financial director, director of information technology, safety director, etc.)

3. President

4. Executive Vice-President

5. Senior Vidist President

6. Vice President

7. Assistant Vice President

8. Associate Vice President

9. Senior Director

10. Director

11. Assistant Director

12. Manager

13. Middle Soverend 9000

14. Mercenary workers and freelaners (including employees, employees, employees, employees, temporary workers, temporary employees, temporary employees, temporary workers, temporary workers, temporary workers, temporary workers, temporary workers, temporary workers, temporary workers, time e)

Depending on the industry, these leadership positions may change depending on the area in which they operate. For example, some leadership roles related to field work include Care Manager, Food Service Director, and Brand Manager. In addition, each company may have slightly different roles and responsibilities regarding a name, even if it is the same name but in a different industry. Regardless, the above titles give you a general idea of ​​what internal leader titles usually look like. nine0003

How to become a leader

The path to becoming a leader depends on your experience, the industry and the company you work for. Here are some general steps and tips to keep in mind when trying to get promoted to a management position:

1. Build relationships in the office.

2. Go higher and further.

3. Be helpful.

4. Ask good questions.

1. Build Relationships in the Office

To be more visible in the workplace, it is important to build good relationships in the office. This includes stepping out of your cubicle or workplace and interacting with your co-workers. Be sure to make an effort to get to know your colleagues, new hires, and other employees of the company. This may include visiting to check on them, having lunch together, or face-to-face communication rather than an office phone call or email. nine0003

Relationship building can also help you when you take on a leadership role, as your employees will be more likely to trust you if you have a relationship built in advance.

2. Do your best

When you want to get promoted to a management position, make sure you think outside the box. When you are at company meetings, try to go beyond the general plan. Try to present new and innovative ideas that could impress your supervisors and executives. Think about how your company can thrive and achieve long-term success. Make sure you show yourself as an asset to the company throughout your time as an employee. Companies need leaders who can add value to their organization. nine0003

3. Be helpful

Another way to get noticed as an employee is to share your thoughts with others. If you have colleagues who need help, make sure you help them to the best of your ability. Your leaders want to know that they can rely on you to take charge and lead others when needed. When you help others in your organization, make sure you show a lot of empathy and that you are an active listener and a good communicator. nine0003

4. Ask good questions

It is important for a leader to always ask valuable and insightful questions. These types of questions will open up new ways of thinking not only for you, but for your team as well. Start doing this as you aspire to a leadership role in your company. Avoid simple questions with simple answers. Ask questions that encourage advanced thinking. The more you do this, the better prepared you will be to deal with difficult situations as they arise. nine0003

Three main types of managers – Vedomosti

Often the leader is presented as a universal soldier who distributes tasks, controls their execution, deeply understands the market, knows how to negotiate with anyone and about anything, can come up with and implement any strategy. That doesn’t happen in life. Only a few combine all of these skills. In addition, in different companies, leaders in the same position are required to produce different results. For example, in one company, the head of the personnel department is expected to develop a strategy, in another – to establish communication between departments, in the third – a certain number of people hired for the appropriate money. nine0003

Based on the analysis of 600 outstanding leaders, for whom core competencies were determined, Hay Group identified three main types of leaders.

Strategists. They create the foundation for the long-term functioning of the organization: development strategies, business plans, analytical developments, new product models, etc. For this type of leadership position, in addition to general leadership qualities, analytical skills are important, as well as the ability to defend one’s position – to convince colleagues how the proposed activities and changes are needed. For example, a financial director, when proposing decisions on serious investments, on the success of which the future of the company may depend, must be able to defend his position even with the great influence of other leaders whose interests may differ significantly. One of the critical qualities for this type of leader is professional integrity. Such a person in the company is, as a rule, the deepest expert, and no one can really control his work. nine0003

Coordinators. Their main activity is constant communication and building relationships to achieve a result (the most typical example is a project manager or director of public relations). A person in such a position must have very strong influence skills, be able to unite different people and departments. It requires flexibility and empathy, the ability to hear and understand the needs of others, to find leverage and the right words for everyone.

Operators. These are classic line managers who organize the work of their service or department in order to complete the task. They must be able to draw up a specific plan, convey it to management and subordinates, and implement this plan. Directiveness is required from such a leader – the ability to clearly set tasks and control execution. nine0003

The system of motivation for different types of leaders will also differ. For strategists, the main part of the remuneration should be a fixed part, and their KPIs do not depend on quantitative, but on qualitative indicators. For coordinators, the fixed and variable parts should have equal weight, and the KPI set should include both quantitative and qualitative indicators. For tellers, classical quantitative KPIs (sales, production volumes) are suitable, and a significant part of the remuneration should be bonuses and bonuses. nine0003

There is a shortage of coordinators in Russia due to the spread of the directive management style. Their roles are often filled by strategists and operators, and not very effectively. If a strategist is appointed to a position where you have to negotiate with many parties, or to operational work, such as sales management, there will be no outstanding results. Accordingly, if an operator, aimed at achieving a specific result by the forces of his unit, is put in a coordinating or strategic position, there will hardly be any sense. nine0003

Therefore, a company that wants to balance the mix of different types of leaders should do the following:

assess the company’s goals and the need for leaders with different roles;

choose the right KPIs for them. There is no need to be afraid that qualitative indicators will not stimulate the leaders of the first and second types, everything will be exactly the opposite. In addition, qualitative indicators will encourage managers to take concerted action, and not to compete;

to analyze distortions in the management team. Who exactly – strategists, operators or coordinators – is the company lacking? What skills are lacking in current leaders? Under the development of scarce skills, it is necessary to develop retraining and training programs. For example, we worked with a company dominated by operations bosses and an authoritarian management style.