Organizational Leadership Skills

What Are Organizational Leadership Skills?

Organizational leadership skills are those traits or abilities that empower leaders to provide a sense of direction for their companies or institutions. Most skills in the organizational leadership field are devoted to problem resolution, maintaining a focused and dedicated team, and helping organizations make progress toward their big-picture goals and objectives.

Generally, organizational leadership skills are considered to be versatile across industries, such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and even the nonprofit sector, potentially leading to flourishing in these fields.

9 Essential Organizational Leadership Skills

Organizational leaders rely on a wide range of skills in their daily work, but some of the most vital competencies include those listed below.

1. Communication

One of a leader’s most important responsibilities is to convey the organization’s values and mission to the employee base. Organizational leaders need to be clear and competent when they speak to their various stakeholders, not only employers but also investors, donors, and potential partners.
In addition to public speaking, written communication is important for organizational leaders, who may need to synthesize core information into internal memos, fundraising letters, press releases, or other documents.

2. Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking ranks high on the list of organizational leadership skills, as one of the main mandates for any organizational leader is to set goals and map out a plan to achieve them. Helping the organization determine and achieve short- and long-term objectives requires a commitment to strategic thinking.

3. Prioritization

In any organization, different projects or agendas compete for time and resources at any given time. Leaders must be able to prioritize the projects that are most urgent, or that are most clearly connected to achieving business goals, and then allocate time and resources accordingly. The ability to think in terms of priorities and hierarchies is an important skill for any organizational leader.

4. Delegation

Even the most capable leaders can’t do everything on their own, and trying can lead to burnout. Knowing how to delegate is crucial. This means determining which tasks to assign to someone else, identifying the employees best suited for those tasks, and setting clear expectations that don’t require micromanagement.

5. Time Management

Closely related to delegation is time management. In running a complex organization, leaders must be prepared to split their time and attention among different teams, departments, or divisions. The best organizational leaders know how to make wise use of their time; this includes arriving on time for meetings, being diligent in accomplishing tasks, and allocating time for rest and self-care.

6. Problem-Solving

The ability to identify, analyze, and ultimately solve problems ranks high among organizational leadership skills. Crises or unexpected obstacles can pop up at any time, whether it’s a supply chain disruption or bad publicity, requiring clear and decisive leadership.

7. Self-Awareness

While it’s certainly important for organizational leaders to understand their industries and organizations, it’s equally important that they understand themselves. The most effective leaders know their strengths, but they also know where they have weaknesses and need to solicit support.

8. Interpersonal Skills

Leading an organization means dealing with people daily. Occasionally, friction is bound to arise. The best leaders will cultivate skills in mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.

9. Organization

Keeping track of multiple projects, timelines, and departments at once is key to effective organizational leadership, as is staying on top of important correspondence and reporting.

How to Cultivate Organizational Leadership Skills

While these skills can’t be mastered in a single setting, several avenues can help leaders or aspiring leaders pursue skills development. These avenues include the following:

• Joining professional organizations
• Attending industry workshops or seminars
• Seeking a more experienced mentor
• Enrolling in an organizational leadership degree program

Master Organizational Leadership Skills at Claremont Lincoln University

Claremont Lincoln University’s online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MOL) equips students with the core competencies that can lead to success in virtually any industry or sector. The program allows students to explore the theoretical side of organizational leadership while also establishing practical, real-world skills. Students choose from concentrations in healthcare, human resources, management, professional studies, or sustainability, allowing for a dedicated focus on a particular field. Find out how we can help you advance your career today.