RA360: Leadership Skills
TL;DR
One of the important set of skills you learn in your RA or student staff member role are broad leadership skills–skills to lead and contribute to a group. These can be specific skills you employ (such as communication skills, meeting facilitation skills, etc.) but also a broad philosophy of how you approach leadership and how you lead.
Some Questions to Ask Yourself…
- What is your leadership style? Approach?
- What leadership styles and theories exist?
- How can you develop your own leadership style?
In this RA360…
What Is Your Philosophy of Leadership?
There are a number of leadership theories and models that you can learn about apply to your own leadership philosophy. You college or university may also teach these through a leadership certificate program or even an academic minor. The following are three such models, but there are more you may wish to explore.
Social Change Model
This model of leadership identifies seven dimensions, or values, called the “Seven C’s”:
- Consciousness of self
- Congruence
- Commitment
- Common purpose
- Controversy with civility
- Collaboration
- Citizenship
Student Leadership Challenge
Developed by Kouzes and Posner, this model of leadership identifies five competencies:
- Model the Way
- Inspire a Shared Vision
- Challenge the Process
- Enable Others to Act
- Encourage the Heart
Relational Leadership
This theory focuses on developing relationships with people. It identifies five components:
- Purposeful
- Inclusive
- Empowering
- Ethical
- Process-oriented
Social Change Model of Leadership
The Social Change Model of Leadership offers a framework that emphasizes leadership as a collaborative, values-driven process aimed at creating positive social change. It is structured around seven core values, known as the “7 Cs”:
- Individual Values: Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment
- Group Values: Collaboration, Common Purpose, Controversy with Civility
- Community Value: Citizenship
These values are organized into three levels (individual, group, and community) to guide student leaders in fostering inclusive, purpose-driven communities.
“Leadership is not defined by a title or a position, anyone can be a leader. Leadership is fostering spaces where people feel like they matter, belong, and are valued. I have learned that great leaders listen more than they talk, they value the group more than themselves, and they lead with their values. When you know your values and you incorporate them in everyday life, you will find more purpose and meaning to life in general and in your leadership role.”
Student Leadership Competencies
What are the Student Leadership Competencies®?
The SLCs are 60 leadership competencies derived from analyzing standards, models, and theories of leadership as well as the outcomes of all accredited academic programs in higher education. The image below highlights all 60 competencies categorized by the 8 main clusters.
“Curiosity is a leader’s superpower! When RAs embrace curiosity, they become more self-aware and reflective, build stronger connections with their residents and supervisors, exhibit greater compassion for others, ask insightful questions, and seek to understand different perspectives and lived experiences. This mindset fosters creativity, problem-solving, and a stronger sense of belonging for everyone – all key skills for thriving in residential life. Curiosity fuels lifelong learning, helping student leaders grow personally and professionally while inspiring their peers to do the same. By embracing curiosity, RAs create more inclusive, engaged, and supportive living environments.”
Values in the Workplace
Understanding what you value at work (and how those values may differ from others) can help you navigate the work environment better and feel more fulfilled. Which of these do you value most?
- Commitment
- Connection
- Teamwork
- Quality
- Integrity
- Advancement
- Competition
- Innovation
- Working Under Pressure
- Power and Authority
- Influence
- Independent Work
- Intellectualism
- Artistic Creativity
- Change and Variety
- Precision Work
- Routine
- Security
- Trust and Accountabilility
- Recognition
- Excitement and Adventure
- Profit and Gain
- Moral Fulfillment
- Time Freedom
- Community
- Challenge
- Honesty
If you’re struggling feeling fulfilled in your role, you can use these to help articulate to your supervisor what may be missing for you. They can help.
Sources: Examples of Workplace Values from Illinois State and Walden University
Leadership skills are often closely aligned with ethics. How can you be an ethical leader?
“Everyone has leadership abilities, lean into those skills that come natural to you. If you try to force it or be something you are not, it won’t come off as genuine. My favorite assessment is StrengthsFinder. It helps you identify your top 5 strengths. You can then focus on the development of those strengths and help take your leadership to the next level!”
Questions To Ponder:
- What leadership theories or approaches speak to you?
- How do you want others to see you as a leader?
- What is your purpose as a leader?
RA360 Outcomes:
RAs and student staff members will be able to:
- Recall various leadership theories.
- Identify one’s leadership style and approach.
More To Explore
RA360 is a set of resources organized around skills, topics and competencies relevant to Resident Advisors and similar related student staff positions in college and university residence halls.
