Do you know what it takes to be a good leader? It’s a perennial question that has given birth to an entire industry. Indeed, the typical online MBA program devotes much of its curriculum to developing leadership skills.
But before you can work on those skills, you have to know what they are. One way to identify what makes a good leader is to look at common characteristics of great leaders in the past. That is what social scientists have done in their research. Their goal is to put a label on the specific aspects of leadership development.
Building upon their study and research, today’s business school instructors create coursework that actually teaches leadership skills. If you are interested in developing your leadership skills, one way to do so is through an online MBA program that suits your career aspirations.
What can an MBA teach you about leadership?
If you have an undergraduate degree or previous work experience, whether in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, finance or another industry, you are already a subject-matter expert in your chosen field. Business school can set you apart by teaching you about general principles of leadership, among other things. A growing body of research shows a direct connection between emotional intelligence and business success. Emotional intelligence covers those “soft skills” not traditionally associated with great leaders. Taking cues from this research, many MBA programs, whether online or in-person, have incorporated coursework aimed at developing leadership and other soft skills.
An MBA can help hone leadership and social skills
Whether online or not, most MBA programs today will offer lessons in psychology, self-awareness and workplace personalities. This sort of knowledge is the bedrock upon which leaders are able to motivate their teams, targeting maximum productivity.
It may sound unbusinesslike, but social skills are important in the workplace. Communication, collaboration, being able to see the big picture, team synergy”¦all of these factors weigh heavily in the outcome of a company’s efforts to be the best it can be. Good leaders know how to bring out these qualities in their teams, and an MBA program can help to develop these skills.
