What are ways to develop business leadership skills?
Unlocking the secrets to successful business leadership, this article taps into the wisdom of industry veterans. Learn practical strategies and actionable advice to hone your leadership skills, directly from those who have paved the way. These insights are essential for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership abilities and advance their career.
- Use The 70/20/10 Learning Model
- Apply Learning Loop For Growth
- Create Robust Mentorship Structures
- Develop Self-Awareness Through Reflection
- Lead With Curiosity And Bold Moves
- Adopt A Coaching Leadership Style
- Identify And Build On Your Style
- Communicate Effectively To Influence Actions
- Seek Honest Feedback For Improvement
- Get A Coach And Join A Cohort
- Leverage Networking For Leadership Growth
- Build Trust To Enhance Collaboration
- Enlist An Accountability Partner
- Understand Your Leadership Personality
- Stay Curious And Keep Learning
- Assess And Develop Leadership Skills
- Lead With Empathy And Support
- Encourage Initiative And Resolve Conflicts
- Gain Leadership Skills Through Experience
- Lead Beyond Your Function
- Engage In Action Learning
- Foster Open Communication With Team
- Learn By Making Real Decisions
Use The 70/20/10 Learning Model
One of the most powerful ways I’ve found to develop business leadership–both personally and across our team–is by leaning into the 70/20/10 learning model. It’s simple, research-backed, and incredibly effective when used with intention.
Here’s how it works:
- 70% of our growth comes from doing the work–from those stretch assignments, tough calls, daily decisions, and the unpredictable moments that demand we rise to the occasion.
- 20% comes from relationships–mentorship, coaching, peer-to-peer collaboration, and honest conversations that sharpen our leadership instincts.
- 10% comes from formal learning–books, classes, webinars, and structured training that give us frameworks and fresh thinking.
But I’ve learned that understanding the model isn’t enough. Activating it with purpose is the real game changer.
We’re embedding professional development into the work itself.
Leadership is no longer something we “go get” at a conference once a year. We’re making the work the training. Whether it’s leading a tough project, facilitating a feedback session, or navigating change–we treat each moment as a growth opportunity.
We’re writing and tracking growth goals.
Every leader on our team sets 1-2 intentional growth goals aligned with both their personal leadership journey and our organizational strategy. These goals are living documents–not shelf art–and we revisit them regularly to reflect and adjust.
We’re making reflection a habit.
We don’t grow from experience alone–we grow from reflecting on experience. We’ve built in weekly and quarterly check-ins to ask ourselves: What did I learn? Where did I lead well? What could I do better next time?
We’re investing in mentors and coaches.
We know that even the best leaders can’t grow in isolation. Mentors share wisdom. Coaches help us untangle tough challenges and move forward with clarity. These relationships have become accelerators for insight and impact.
The result? We’re not just doing leadership–we’re learning through it. We’re seeing confidence rise, collaboration deepen, and strategic thinking sharpen–all without adding another training day to the calendar.
So, if you’re asking, “What’s one way to develop leadership skills?”–this is my answer:
Make growth intentional, job-embedded, and relationship-driven. Use the 70/20/10 model as your blueprint.
The next level of leadership is built in how we work and grow every single day.
Gearl Loden
Leadership Consultant/Speaker, Loden Leadership + Consulting
