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15 Key Leadership Skills For Your Resume 2024

Whether you’re applying for a management position or not, leadership skills are important. Here’s what you need to know about leadership skills.

Maria Correa Profile
By Maria Correa 3 minute read

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What are leadership skills?

Leadership skills are the qualities that help people effectively motivate and take charge of managing others in various situations, support initiatives and delegate tasks. Leadership skills will come across differently depending on the job.

For example, if you work in customer service, good leadership skills will definitely include good communication and conflict resolution. If you work in business, the leadership skills you need are more likely to concern motivating team members, team building, managing or delegating workloads.

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15 examples of leadership abilities

Whether or not a company is hiring for a managerial or leadership role, hiring managers will always be looking for leadership qualities in job seekers. You see, leadership skills are highly transferable and can be beneficial in many different work situations. Leadership skills include:

  • 1

    Communication

    A good leader knows how to communicate effectively. Communication goes beyond knowing how to speak clearly about goals, tasks and expectations — it’s also about establishing good communication among yourself and your team. When you’re a good communicator, others feel comfortable going to you, a sure sign that as a leader you have created an atmosphere where people feel heard and valued.

    Communication isn’t just talking after all. It’s also active listening, presenting and engaging with others.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 2

    Problem-solving

    Problem-solvers have the ability to foresee issues. They can understand patterns, identify what a future problem might be and develop a solution before it happens. Good leaders are proactive, instead of reactive, so when you combine problem-solving skills with leadership, you get someone who can learn from problems and avoid them in the future.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 3

    Time management

    When you’re in a leadership role, you’re more than likely going to be pulled in different directions, so being able to manage your time is crucial. Not only that, but your time management skills will extend to your ability to delegate tasks among your team members, based on bandwidth, deadlines and deliverables.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 4

    Decision-making

    As a leader, you’ll be put in positions where decisions will have to be made. You’ll have to be just and take into consideration different aspects of the situation, so whatever decision you make is beneficial to everyone involved, be it your team members, clients or the organization. Decision-making is a key leadership skill all leaders must have.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 5

    Cultural intelligence

    The people in your team likely come from different backgrounds, so being tactful and respectful of their cultures is important. When you have cultural intelligence as a leader, you understand that your experiences and upbringing are not universal, so what might be normal to you is probably not for someone else. Cultural intelligence paves the way for inclusivity and a leader who understands that diversity can make a team stronger.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 6

    Networking and relationship-building

    Leaders can’t isolate themselves and expect to do their job without interacting with others. The nature of the position requires you to build relationships with the people around you, from the members of your team to other managers, suppliers, stakeholders and people from other departments. Building positive relationships as a leader will help you do your job better and make it easier for you to communicate with others.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 7

    Emotional intelligence

    An emotionally intelligent leader is able to manage their emotions and understand the emotions of others. You can read a room, read someone else’s body language and even read between the lines to gauge a situation. Furthermore, you’re able to channel your own emotions in a positive way — so, if you’re stressed, you don’t blow up on others and can take deep breaths to calm yourself down. Emotional intelligence is key to nurturing a positive environment where others feel at peace.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 8

    Adaptability

    The unforeseen can happen and when you’re a leader, you must be able to adapt to new challenges and figure out a solution. When you’re someone who is able to adapt, you get over the initial shock quickly and switch gears to get to the root of the cause and solve a problem. You don’t spend long minutes stressing, you don’t procrastinate and you don’t freeze — you pivot and take charge.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 9

    Conflict resolution

    It won’t always be peaches and cream at work. Conflicts between colleagues, departments and suppliers happen, so as the leader, you’re expected to be a neutral figure who can objectively take a look at a situation and resolve the issue. Excellent communication skills, active listening and emotional intelligence also play a huge role in your ability to solve conflicts.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 10

    Negotiation

    Negotiating isn’t just reserved for money talk. At its root, negotiation involves two or more people finding a solution that works for all parties involved. This can be about an offer, a disagreement between team members or deciding between suppliers for an event. Openness during negotiations fosters an atmosphere of fairness that helps people feel as though they’re truly part of a team.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 11

    Self-awareness

    Self-awareness shows that job candidates hold a thoughtful understanding of their own personal character traits, values, emotions and behaviors, thereby showing self-motivation to achieve career goals.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 12

    Strong work ethic

    Strong work ethic shows that despite challenges, a job candidate will do what it takes to get the job done.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 13

    Project management skills

    Project management is a valuable leadership skill because it shows that a job candidate can effectively communicate with project team members, clients and stakeholders to achieve success.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 14

    Empathy

    Empathy is a valuable leadership skill because it shows that a job candidate can easily and objectively recognize the emotions of others and provide the necessary support.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

  • 15

    Interpersonal skills

    Interpersonal skills are valuable leadership skills because they show that a job candidate can provide a positive and welcoming attitude when communicating and providing support to team members, customers and clients.

    Jobs where this skill is ideal:

20 leadership resume words

Resume action words, also referred to as action verbs, have the ability to make your statements purposeful and stronger. Instead of saying, “I was responsible for a team…” start your phrases with one of the following words:

Top leadership resume words

  1. Led
  2. Directed
  3. Managed
  4. Supervised
  5. Organized
  6. Facilitated
  7. Coordinated
  8. Spearheaded
  9. Oversaw
  10. Implemented
  11. Mentored
  12. Guided
  13. Influenced
  14. Inspired
  15. Motivated
  16. Empowered
  17. Delegated
  18. Strategized
  19. Streamlined
  20. Innovated

How to list leadership skills on a resume: 4 tips

1. Follow the lead of the job listing

The job description will tell you everything you need to know about the position and what they expect from you. Take a look at the listed requirements and responsibilities of the job to see what type of leader they want so you can determine what to include in your resume. For example, take a look at this operations manager job posting:

Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies, policies and procedures to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Provide leadership and direction to the operational team, including setting clear goals, objectives and performance expectations.
  • Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration and accountability within the operational team.
  • Identify areas for improvement and implement solutions to enhance operational processes and workflows.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Requirements:

  • Proven track record of leadership and management in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a diverse team to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma is a plus.
  • Proficiency in project management tools and techniques.

Some keywords that immediately jump out are “operation strategies,” “provide direction to operational team,” “collaboration,” “problem-solving skills” and “Lean Six Sigma.”

Use them in your resume and include examples when possible to show employers you have the leadership abilities needed for the job.

2. Feature your top leadership skills in your skills section

The most straightforward way to include your leadership skills in your resume is by listing them in your skills section. Typically, you should include 8-10 hard skills and soft skills in your resume.

Leadership experience on a resume: skills section:

  • Leadership
  • Team management
  • Strategic planning
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Collaboration
  • Mentoring and coaching
  • Project management

3. Show how you’ve used your leadership skills in your work experience section

Beyond just saying you have team leadership skills, the work experience section allows you to demonstrate leadership qualities and how you’ve used these abilities in previous jobs. Include numbers and metrics when possible to give the recruiter or hiring manager a better idea of your accomplishments and highlight leadership skills.

Examples of leadership in the work history section:

  • Led a team of 10 employees in executing operational tasks, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Implemented strategic initiatives to improve efficiency and streamline processes, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity.
  • Fostered a culture of accountability and collaboration within the team, leading to improved morale and employee satisfaction.
  • Coordinated cross-functional projects, effectively managing resources and deadlines to deliver successful outcomes.

4. Feature a top leadership skill in your summary

The resume summary is the first section recruiters and hiring managers will read. Write a two-to-three-sentence overview of your top skills and experiences relevant to the job.

Leadership resume summary example:

Results-oriented and proactive professional with a proven track record of leadership and team management. Adept at guiding teams toward success through clear communication, strategic planning and effective problem-solving. Strong interpersonal skills with a passion for fostering a collaborative work environment.

For more tips on presenting your skills, check our How to Write a Strong Resume Skills Section article.

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Tips on improving your leadership skills

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career, there will always be room to improve your skills. Here’s how you can focus on bettering your leadership skills:

Get certified

The United States has different organizations and institutions that offer leadership certifications. You get to learn from other professionals, put yourself to the test and earn a certificate that you can include in your resume. Some certifications offered include:

  • Certified Manager (CM) given by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Certified Professional in Leadership (CPL) from the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
  • Certified Leadership Professional (CLP) offered by the National Association for Leadership Advancement (NALA)
  • Certified Team Leader (CTL) given by the American Management Association (AMA)

Find ways to self-study

In today’s day and age, it’s not necessary for you to look for help beyond your phone or computer. You can find dozens of reliable resources online to help you become a better leader. Everything from online videos, tutorials and blog posts, especially when they’re from another professional or a trusted organization, is a great way to learn better leadership skills.

Look for opportunities to earn and display leadership on the job

We all start out somewhere. Talk to your manager about your interest in bettering your leadership skills and see if you can shadow someone in a leadership role. You can see how they handle day-to-day responsibilities, how they speak to others and what makes them a good leader. Furthermore, you can also ask your manager to give you a task where you can display your leadership skills.

More resume skills and writing tips

ResumeHelp has tons of other resources to help you better your skills and become a great professional.

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FAQ: Leadership skills

Have questions? We’re here to help.

What are the top 5 leadership skills?

Rather than thinking about five must-have leadership skills, think about your own abilities and the job. The leadership skills you need to have will depend on what the job requires and the type of leader the company is looking for, as not all leadership roles are the same.

If we were to choose our top five skills every leader should have, however, these are our picks:

  • Communication
  • Strategic thinking
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Decision making
  • Team building and motivation

What is an example of a leadership skill?

A great example of a leadership skill is “effective communication.”

Effective communication involves the ability to convey information clearly, listen actively and adapt communication styles to suit different audiences and situations. Leaders who can communicate effectively can articulate their vision, goals and expectations to their team members. They are also skilled at listening attentively to the perspectives and concerns of others, building rapport and promoting open dialogue within the team.

Mastering the skill of effective communication is crucial for leaders to build trust, foster collaboration and drive success in their organizations.

Do I need to list leadership skills if I’m not applying for a managerial position?

Yes. Just like communication skills, leadership skills are very useful in almost any form of employment. So if you have good leadership skills, you should highlight those skills in your resume. After all, whether you are in a leadership role or not, you may still be called on to lead team members at some point in your employment.

How do I determine the best skills for my resume?

When resume writing, you should consider your competencies, key skills and main qualifications in light of the requirements of the job that you are applying for. While leadership qualities are always useful, you should consider what management skills are most applicable to the role. For example, if the role is a collaborative one, your effective leadership skills will be called upon for teamwork and delegation.

How many leadership skills should I list on my resume?

Whether you’re applying for a leadership position or not, it is best to limit the number of leadership skills on your resume to a maximum of five to eight. If you add more than that, you may leave too little room for your other relevant skills. Remember, your resume should only be one page in length, so it’s important to make the most of the space you have.

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Maria Correa Profile
WRITTEN BY Maria Correa

Maria Correa is a Puerto Rico-based Content Writer with ample background in digital marketing and copywriting. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in English and enjoys making information accessible to others.

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