Strengthening Your Leadership Skills: 5 Essential Lessons

Like many of my colleagues, I came to HIT as a mid-career transfer.

I worked in a lab as a phlebotomist and was a widowed mom of two children before returning to school to earn my HIT degree. Learning and now applying my HIT skills has actually been the easier part of my career transition. I am finding out that my success in all things and everything ultimately comes down to leadership.

Let me share with you 5 essential lessons in leadership that have made a difference in my life.

Lead from where you are

You don’t need a manager title to start practicing leadership. Look for opportunities to take ownership of small projects, coordinate tasks for your team, or be the person who follows up and ‘closes the loop’ after a meeting. These “micro-leadership” moments show reliability, build trust, and help you practice decision-making in low-risk situations.

Practice leadership through service

One of the most approachable ways to build leadership skills is through service roles. Join a committee, student group, or professional association and volunteer to help with agendas, follow ups, or event logistics. Coordinating people and tasks, even on a small scale, gives you real world experience in organizing, influencing, and communicating with a group.

As you gain confidence, you can step into slightly bigger roles—chairing a subcommittee, leading a small project, or mentoring someone a step behind you. These experiences quietly but powerfully grow your leadership identity.

Treat communication as a core skill

Strong communication is not a “nice to have;” it is a career accelerator. Focus on active listening: give others your full attention, ask clarifying questions, and paraphrase what you hear to confirm understanding. Then, practice being clear and concise in your own messages, whether you are writing an email, giving a quick update, or presenting to a group.

Practice visible active listening

Strong communicators are strong listeners. In conversations, show that you are engaged: maintain appropriate eye contact, nod, and avoid interrupting. Ask clarifying questions and then briefly summarize what you hear: “So what I’m hearing is that the priority is X, and we need it by Y—is that right?” This not only reduces misunderstandings but also builds trust. Over time, people notice when you truly listen. They are more likely to share information with you, involve you in important discussions, and see you as someone who communicates thoughtfully.

Build a feedback and mentoring loop

Ask for targeted feedback: “What is one thing I did well?” and “What is one thing I should do differently next time?” Seek mentors through professional associations, conferences, and alumni networks to gain perspective and guidance.

In conclusion, it is not the big things, but the many small acts of leadership expressed consistently and reliably that will make a difference in your career. My plan is to combine my strong HIT skills with a willingness to step up to the leadership roles as they come. I believe this will result in an interesting and successful career for me. I wish the same for you.

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