leadership personal statement for cv

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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• CV and Cover Letter
• How to write a leadership CV...

How to write a leadership CV - with examples of leadership skills

10 min read · Updated on October 13, 2022

Show that you have what it takes to level up your career!

Are you a natural-born leader? Do others follow where you tread? Whether you're currently a manager or want to take the next step up on the career ladder, including examples of leadership skills on your CV is a must. But what traits should you be highlighting here? 

Luckily, we've got you covered with all the answers that you need. Within this guide, we'll look at why these traits are important and also define the leadership skills examples you should include on your CV. If you're looking for inspiration, read on to find out more. 

What are leadership skills?

First things first, let's talk about what leadership skills are. These are the traits that allow you to manage a team of people or even just a small handful of individuals. Needless to say, when recruiters are looking to fill managerial vacancies , they expect candidates to have a broad selection of these skills. 

Defining the skills of a leader can be hard. So what  did history's greatest figureheads - from Martin Luther King to Winston Churchill - have in common? Pinpointing these in-demand traits could help you on the road towards levelling up your career. 

How to identify your leadership style

The truth of the matter is that there's not just one leadership style. Before you start applying for managerial roles, you may want to investigate what works for you. While there's no magic formula to help you define this, you can try the steps below: 

Consider the leadership skills you possess 

We will shortly take a look at the main leadership skills examples you can include on your CV. While you're perusing our list, consider which of them apply to you. Which of the traits can you confidently say you have? How can you cultivate them and grow them over time?

Reflect on the leaders in your life

Over the course of your career, you will have come across a whole range of managers and supervisors. Which of them stood out to you? What techniques did they use that helped to motivate and push you forward? By taking a look at what each of these leaders did, you can start to develop a leadership style that suits both you and your wider team members. 

Take a career personality test

Objectively analysing yourself can be hard. Taking a career-based personality test may help you to identify your core leadership traits. When you have learned what skills you tend to use and the characteristics you have, you can use them to your best advantage. 

List of leadership skills examples and definitions

Ready to get started? If you're about to prepare your CV for a leadership position, you may be wondering what skills you should include. While there's a wide variety of talents you may want to highlight in your application, we've selected some of the most effective leadership skills examples. See if any match your talents and show them off on your CV:

1. Communication

Excellent communication is the foundation of any working relationship. It's the oil that makes things run smoothly. Research suggests that better internal communication can improve organisational productivity by up to 25%. Despite this fact, two-thirds of managers are uncomfortable communicating with their team. With that in mind, to set yourself aside from the crowd, you might want to include this core leadership skill on your CV. 

When you're in a leadership position, you will need to share information and instructions with your team. Having a communication style that works for both you and the rest of the staff is vital. You need to effortlessly walk the line between approachable and authoritative. That can often be a difficult balance to find. However, when you get it right, it's worth it.  

To elevate your communication skills to management level on your CV, you should consider including negotiation, public speaking, diplomacy and influencing. 

2. Collaboration 

Do you collaborate well with others? 86% of managers look for teamwork skills when deciding who to promote. If you're looking to take the next step up, you might want to highlight this important leadership skill on your CV. Showing that you can work effectively and efficiently as part of a larger team is essential if you're ready to take the reins.

Regardless of the sector in which you work, you'll need to work within a team towards a shared goal. That is a common theme from industry to industry. You're not a solo artist - you're part of a band. To make beautiful music, you need to play your part and jam with the other team members. Make sure that you highlight this skill when applying for jobs. 

3. Decision making 

Do you suffer from decision paralysis? Does the idea of choosing a path fill you with fear? Or do you relish the chance to make a well-informed decision? If the latter is true, you might want to pop decision making on your list of leadership skills. When you're in a managerial position, you will need to make speedy choices every day. Having the ability to look at the available information and use it to your advantage is key.

While this is one of the most effective leadership skills examples, it's also rare. According to a McKinsey Global Survey , only 20% of respondents say that their organisation excels at decision making. You might say that leaves a lot to be desired. Equipped with this vital information, you can instantly enhance your CV. By stating that you're an excellent decision maker and providing some supporting evidence, you may just land that interview. 

4. Conflict management

When we're talking about leadership skills examples, it would almost be a crime to leave this one out. Teams are made up of a range of individuals with different personalities. It should come as no real surprise if a couple of your team members clash on an important issue. So, how do you handle it?

Having the finesse to navigate these tricky tides will make you a great leader. It's not about validating one person over the other. Instead, you will need to see each employee's point of view and try to understand where they're coming from. If you're sprucing up your CV , it's worth including this leadership skill on it - along with examples of how you've used it. 

5. Empathy 

Empathy is a superpower. Only a quarter of employees believe that their organisations show sufficient empathy . That's a strikingly low proportion. When you're managing a team of people, it's important that you support their long-term goals and needs. You cannot do that effectively without understanding them and their perspective on a deeper level. Listing this one as part of your wider leadership skills list is a smart move if you want to land a job.

6. Adaptability 

“There is nothing more constant than change,” as Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, allegedly said. Managers will know this fact better than most. When you're working in a company of any size, you'll find that you have to chop and change plans more often than you expect. So if you're looking to reach the highest ranks of your career, you'll need to be adaptable.

It's worth considering the times when you've had to change your workflow or long-term plans. How did you effectively manage that transition? What sub-skills did you employ while doing so? What was the end result? The more detail you can give here, the more likely you are to wow a hiring manager with your talents. 

7. Problem solving

Problems come and go - it's how you deal with them that matters in a hiring manager's eyes. Being able to deal with the issues that come your way is one of the top skills of a good leader. It means that you won't stumble when there are obstacles in your way. Instead, you think outside of the box and look for creative solutions that suit everyone.

Want to increase your problem solving abilities in an instant? Try having a coffee when you're at work. Research suggests that caffeine can have a positive impact on problem solving . Of course, there are other tactics that can help. For example, you may find that lowering your stress levels and getting more sleep each night supports your brain health.

8. Motivational skills

You don't have to jump up on stage and give a speech to be motivational. However, when you're running a team, you need to have the passion that drives them forward. Over half of all UK employees lack the motivation that they need in the workplace. As a manager, you'll need to tap into your teams' psyches and try to understand what drives them forward. 

Finding your own motivational style is the secret to getting this right. You might give team members pep talks, lead the way by being full of motivation yourself, or listen to their concerns. You may do all three. Consider how you employ this particular top leadership skill in your work.

9. Dependability 

Employers need managers and supervisors to be reliable. If you're the type of employee who turns up late, forgets to attend meetings, and misses deadlines, that's bad news. On the other hand, professionals who can prove that they are dependable have a fighting chance of landing a leadership role. Should that sound like you, include it on your CV.  

10. Tech savviness 

The modern business world is heavily reliant on technology - and this has only been accelerated by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Whether it's chatting to your team on Slack, having a Zoom call, or using Asana to manage your workflow, there are many applications to get your head around . So, the question is, are you tech savvy?

Showing that you are competent using software and online platforms can bolster your leadership CV. If you choose to add this skill to your CV, expand on it where possible. For example, you may want to specify which software you've previously used. 

Where to include leadership skills on your CV 

Now that you know what leadership skills examples you should include on your CV, let's take a moment to talk about where to place them. The obvious area in which you should include them is your skills section . Yes, you can list some of the above traits in that area - although the focus should be on hard skills.

However, it shouldn't start and finish there. You can also pepper your career summary section with some of the skills you've used in each role. When you're bullet-pointing your achievements, be sure to add in some of these leadership skills examples. You can expand on them there and put them into a workplace context for potential employers. 

The Takeaway

Armed with the right leadership skills, you can excel in the world of management. Showcasing these traits to hiring managers can make you stand out for all the right reasons. Take the time to consider which of the above skills you happen to have. When you've done that, it's worth taking the time to sprinkle them throughout your CV. 

Looking to take your next step on the career ladder? Now that you have some ideas about which leadership skills examples to include, why not submit your CV for a free CV review ? 

Recommended reading: 

Technical skills: Definitions and examples for your CV

How long does it take to find a job?

How to write an elevator pitch

Related Articles:

Breaking the taboo: discussing salary expectations with your employer

What's the financial benefit of getting a professional CV rewrite?

Can I lie on my CV?

See how your CV stacks up.

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8 Key Leadership Skills to Include on Your CV

Posted by CV Nation on Dec 14, 2019

The complete guide to the most important leadership skills for your CV, which includes leadership CV examples and advice on how to show leadership skills on your CV.

Leadership is one of the most important skills to showcase on your CV or resume. Effective leaders improve efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall business performance.

But how do you show that you’re a good leader on your CV or resume?

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to articulate your leadership skills on your CV or resume. We’ll also tell you which leadership skills are the most important, as well as which words to use to ensure you come across as a leader that get things done.

In this guide, we use Sir Alex Ferguson as a case study, referring to his leadership skills and his comments about leadership.

View our guide on 10 key leadership skills and how to develop them.

Leadership Skills

Hiring managers and recruiters look out for leadership skills on CVs and resumes. These skills, which are all part of leadership, are the most important leadership skills to show on your CV or resume.

1. Communication

You can’t be a great leader if you’re not an effective communicator. Strong communication enables organisations to achieve goals and operate more efficiently.

The importance of strong communication was emphasised by Sir Alex Ferguson: ‘At Harvard, one of the students asked me a question: what would you have liked to have known 30 years ago that you know now. It was definitely communication.’

He continued: ‘The other aspect of communication is recognition of staff, recognising the people who work for you. Always say good morning, get to know them. The groundsman, the girls in the laundry, the girls in the tearoom, administration.’

Communicating effectively with the wider team at Manchester United, not just his players, clearly played a crucial role in his success.

Good communication doesn’t necessarily involve complex board-level negotiations. Sir Alex Ferguson also once stated that the two most powerful words he could use a leader were "well done". This simple statement that he communicated to his players on a regular basis helped to maintain high standards during his 26-year tenure at Manchester United.

2. Organisation

Leading an organisation or team involves juggling multiple tasks or business areas simultaneously. As such, leaders must be highly adept organisers.

Organisation consists of time management, prioritisation, planning and attention-to-detail. When writing your CV or resume, draw attention to your successes that have come about as a result of these skills.

Here is an example of a candidate’s achievement that showcases her organisation skills:

"Implemented new software, which enabled better time management and streamlined the reporting process".

3. Problem Solving

All leaders encounter problems. Even Sir Alex Ferguson was no stranger to problems.

Finding oneself up against problems comes with the territory for leaders. What separates good leaders and great leaders is how they respond to problems. Effective problem-solving requires analytical acumen, creativity, adaptability and communication.

When writing about problems that you have solved on your CV or resume, the best approach is to follow our formula: result, action taken, problem.

Let’s break this down: start by describing the result of your action, followed by the action you took. Then outline the problem.

Here is an example:

"Cut high numbers of non-compliance by introducing workshops for staff members after identifying that 34% of staff members were not complying with regulations".

4. Coaching & Mentoring

A key aspect of leadership is coaching and mentoring – an ability to get the best out of staff and develop new starters.

The skills that make up coaching and mentoring include motivational qualities, team building, adaptability and organisation.

How can you show coaching and mentoring skills on your CV or resume?

Take a look at the CV example in this guide. Notice how, in the example CV, Sir Alex Ferguson draws attention to the talented team members that he trained and nurtured. Of course, you may not have coached famous superstars, but touch on the personnel that you did coach and you will stand out as a candidate who is experienced at coaching and mentoring.

“Coached and mentored the next generation of leaders within the organisation, many of whom were educated to PhD level”.

5. Delegation

Good delegation skills ensure that those involved in projects know what is expected of them. It also improves efficiency and enables projects to run more smoothly.

Delegation is much more complex than giving orders. It’s about identifying what you want to achieve from tasks and allocating tasks in line with team member’s strengths and weaknesses.

To be successful at delegation, leaders must possess proficiency in planning, organisation and scheduling.

6. Relationship Building

Building and maintaining strong relationships is one of the most important aspects of leadership. Leaders are judged on the results that team members deliver. As such, leader’s relationships with team members have a big impact on how they perform.

Some of the most effective methods of building relationships include:

- Actively listening to staff

- Praising staff members when appropriate

- Understanding colleague’s emotions

- Developing a culture of togetherness

- Telling staff what is expected of them

As mentioned earlier in this guide, Sir Alex Ferguson touched on his commitment to connecting with all members of Manchester United, from Board members to the kitchen staff. This created a sense of family, which was key to Sir Alex’s success.

7. Motivation

Motivation is arguably the most important leadership skill. It enables colleagues to achieve their goals, which can translate into achieving organisation goals. Unmotivated workforces will be inefficient and they will fail to meet expectations.

Understanding team members on an individual basis is one of the keys to motivation. As an example, some staff members react very negatively to heavy criticism; others use it as a means to improve their performance.

How can you show your motivation skills on your CV or resume?

One of the most effective ways of showing your motivation skills on your CV or resume is highlighting steps you have taken to motivate staff.

"Developed team bonding sessions to promote team building and get to know staff members".

8. Adaptability

Adaptability is an innate human skill that we have had to rely on over time. While humans have mastered adaptability collectively, leaders must demonstrate adaptability in the business world. This enables them to explore alternative strategies and experiment with new ideas. In the long term, they must be able to adapt to changing environments in their sphere.

For example, the leadership techniques employed by Sir Alex Ferguson when he took the reins at Manchester United in 1986 were different to the leaderships techniques he employed in his latter years at the club. This is because the landscape had changed.

One of the keys to Sir Alex’s success was his ability to continuously adapt. Whether it be overcoming the loss of key players or adapting to changing football landscapes, Sir Alex Ferguson always found a way to come out on top.

How can you show adaptability on your CV or resume?

The best way to showcase your adaptability on your CV or resume is to highlight times that you altered your strategy in order to ensure success.

Results, Results, Results

The most effective leaders are the ones that deliver results. Of course, leaders use different leadership styles , but the end goal is always results.

Results are what separate good leaders and great leaders.

With this in mind, the best and easiest way to demonstrate your leadership skills on your CV or resume is to showcase your results and accomplishments that came about as a result of your leadership .

"Positioned the company as a global leader in the sale of wool socks by executing robust sales strategies and overhauling internal processes."

The above example articulates the individual’s leadership skills by showing results . When writing your own CV or resume, show how you have delivered results in order to ensure you come across as a great leader.

Leadership CV Example

This example CV shows what Sir Alex Ferguson’s CV might look like.

Note that Sir Alex doesn’t directly say ‘I have excellent leadership skills’. He doesn’t need to state this. Instead, he simply shows the successes that came about as a result of his leadership.

This is the approach you should take when writing your own CV or resume.

One glance at Sir Alex Ferguson’s CV is enough to see that he is an exceptional leader. As mentioned previously, results are the most effective ways of demonstrating leadership. When results are highlighted in this way, you don’t even need to mention the word leadership.

Further Tips To Ensure Your CV or Resume Screams "Leader"

Quantify your achievements.

A great way to ensure your leadership skills shine is quantifying achievements with numbers, data and statistics. By quantifying your results, you will provide hiring managers and recruiters with tangible evidence of your successes. You will also provide more insight into your achievements.

Here is an example of a quantified leadership achievement:

"Cut staff absences by 43% by implementing an employee satisfaction programme".

Notice in this example how the use of numbers makes the accomplishment stand out. Use the same approach when writing about your own achievements.

Show, Don't Tell

When conveying your leadership skills on your CV or resume, it’s vital to follow this simple formula: show, don’t tell.

What does this mean?

‘Show, don’t tell’ is as simple as it sounds. If you show your accomplishments by providing specific examples, rather than telling the reader about them, you will make a much stronger impression and your leadership skills will shine.

Here is an example of an achievement that uses the ‘tell’ approach:

"I was successful at increasing efficiency".

Here is an example of an achievement that uses the ‘show’ approach:

"I Increased efficiency by 18% by eliminating redundant processes and developing workshops for staff members".

Notice that stark difference between these two achievements. The second achievement shows how the candidate was successful , while the first one simply provides a vague statement that may or may not be considered as true.

Take a look at the CV example in this guide. Notice that the CV doesn’t state that Sir Alex Ferguson is a good leader. It doesn’t need to. Instead, it shows his results. His results prove his leadership qualities beyond any doubt. Stating that he is a good leader would be redundant.

When it comes to writing about your achievements that are related to leadership, ensure to show how you achieved success. This way, you’ll come across as a strong leader who gets results.

When writing about your duties and accomplishments, your choice of verb is very important. Powerful verbs can make you come across a good leader. These include:

Verbs Associated with Effective Leadership

Spearheaded

Transitioned

Verbs Associated with People Management

Verbs associated with business acumen.

Implemented

Conceptualised

More Leadership CV Examples

Are some leadership skills inherent? Are leaders born or made? View our guide on the topic to learn more.

We hope you found this leadership guide helpful. For further advice on CV writing, check out our in-depth guide on how to write a CV . Or view our 27 CV templates , which you can get now.

If you would like to equip yourself with a powerful CV, consider using our Premium CV service .

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Which Leadership Skills on a Resume Matter? These Ones.

3 key takeaways

• What leadership skills are
• Understanding important leadership skills (plus important leadership skills examples)
• How to use the Teal AI Resume Builder to highlight and emphasize leadership skills

Do you know, deep down, that you’re a confident and capable leader, but you’re having trouble conveying that on your resume? 

Leadership skills are valuable to any company; if you’ve got them, that makes you valuable, too. But sometimes, it can be hard to transfer the concrete skills you have in real life onto a blank sheet of paper. 

That’s why, in today’s post, you’ll learn about the types of leadership skills you should add to a resume and how to demonstrate those skills when you land an interview. Then, you’ll discover the easiest way to update and organize the “ Skills” section on your resume. 

Understanding leadership skills

Leadership skills. They’re more than just buzzwords; they’re the fundamental traits and abilities that allow you to lead, inspire, and bring out the best in others. 

And guess what? Demonstrated leadership skills are not just for CEOs or team leads .

Leadership skills are essential for all job applicants, regardless of industry or seniority level. Showcasing leadership skills signals your potential to contribute significantly to organizational growth, handle challenges, make decisive decisions, and foster a positive team dynamic. 

Here’s the dilemma, though: leadership skills are all about taking big swings and driving change. So how do you convey the impact of those skills on an 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper? How do you convey your leadership experience on your resume in a way that stands out to hiring managers? 

That’s where the skills section of your resume comes into play. 

Importance of leadership skills on a resume

Simply put, leadership skills carry immense weight on your resume, showcasing you as a trailblazer, a trait that’s hard to come by for many companies. 

Here's why:

• Leadership skills signal potential : They show that you're not just capable of performing tasks. You can actually manage, innovate, and take charge. It previews your capacity to rise and grow in your future roles within the company.
• They highlight versatility : Leadership skills are not industry-specific. Whether you're an entry-level candidate or a seasoned executive, leadership skills can paint you as a versatile player, ready to add value to your team.
• They connect to performance : Great leaders drive great results. By exhibiting strong leadership skills, you underscore your ability to positively impact job performance. 
• They pave the path for advancement : Leadership underscores your readiness to handle more significant challenges and responsibilities, making you an ideal candidate for career advancement. With these skills, you're not just applying for a job; you're eyeing a fulfilling career.

A resume highlighting your leadership skills can (and should) showcase your future potential, not just your past performance. So, with that in mind, let's look at some leadership skills to put on a resume. 

Different types of leadership skills

Ok, this will sound cheesy, but think about leadership as a multifaceted gem. It shines differently based on the angle from which it's viewed. This is a nice visual way to grasp the many approaches and nuances to leadership skills.

With that in mind, let's dive into the key types that you should aim to highlight leadership skills on a resume:

1. Strategic thinking: As a strategic thinker, you don't just focus on the task in front of you. Instead, you keep an eye on the horizon, looking for future trends and challenges. You're ready to pivot, adapt, and, most importantly, guide your team toward their long-term goals.

2. Communication: Effective communication skills are key, whether giving a presentation or crafting that perfect email. Good leaders can clearly and convincingly share ideas and nurture an environment of open dialogue. 

3. Problem-solving: Obstacles? For problem solvers, they're opportunities in disguise. This skill involves analyzing a situation, evaluating possible solutions, and selecting the best course of action. It's about taking on challenges head-on and turning them into triumphs. 

If you’ve solved problems that have led to a positive and measurable outcome, you’ll definitely want to add this to your resume. 

4. Team building: No leader can succeed without a dedicated team. Effective team building and team leadership skills involve creating a positive working atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable contributing. As a team leader, you're the glue that holds everyone together, and it helps to show you’ve built that type of atmosphere in the past. 

5. Decision-making: Decisions shape destinies, and good leaders understand this. They can make informed choices quickly and efficiently, even under pressure. 

These are just a few of the most common leadership skills you may want to put on a resume. That said, the list is far from exhaustive. Here are a few other options you might consider: 

• Emotional intelligence: The ability to manage and understand your emotions and those of the people around you.
• Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and maintain poise under pressure.
• Visionary thinking: The ability to map out long-term goals and strategic plans while inspiring others towards achieving them.
• Cultural competence: Understanding, communicating with, and effectively interacting with people across cultures.
• Conflict resolution: The ability to mediate disputes and foster a harmonious working environment.
• Adaptability: Adjusting one's course of action based on changing circumstances, displaying flexibility.
• Innovation: A leader who encourages new ideas and is open to taking calculated risks to drive progress.
• Ethical decision-making: The ability to make decisions based on ethical considerations, maintaining integrity and transparency.
• Empowerment: Enabling team members to take action and make decisions within their scope of work, fostering a sense of ownership.
• Mentoring: Guiding and nurturing the professional and personal growth of team members.

But having a list in front of you isn’t helpful if you don’t know what leadership skills on the list you actually have . Let’s look at how you can figure out which skills would be most suitable for your position. 

How to identify your leadership skills

Identifying your leadership skills can be tricky. It involves digging deep into your achievements and feedback to uncover your unique leadership traits. 

Then comes the hard part: adding it to your resume without sounding like every other applicant. 

Here are some tips to help you find the leadership skills that make you unique. 

1. Reflect on your past: Think back to your professional and personal experiences. Maybe you spearheaded a project at work or coached a local sports team. What skills did you use? Did you inspire and motivate others, make tough decisions, or solve a difficult problem? 

Any measurable success you’ve had should be prominent on your resume.  

2. Seek feedback: Sometimes, it’s hard to see our own strengths and wins . That's where seeking feedback from colleagues, mentors, friends, and family can prove invaluable. They can provide an outside perspective and shed light on the times you've exhibited leadership qualities without realizing it.

If you seek advice from friends and family, however, be sure to consider the source. Your grandmother might see you as the world’s best leader, but you should have concrete examples of when you’ve demonstrated those traits. 

3. Self-assessment: Several reputable self-assessment tools and leadership quizzes are available online. These resources can help you identify and develop leadership skills and styles. Remember, these tools aren't definitive answers to what leadership skills you possess but guides to help you understand your capabilities better. 

Take Teal’s Work Style Assessment to help you build your confidence in your career journey.

4. Look for patterns: As you evaluate your experiences and feedback, look for recurring themes. Perhaps you're often the one to take the initiative or the person others turn to for advice. These patterns can reveal key leadership skills you consistently lean on.

Once you've identified your leadership skills, it's time to highlight them strategically on your resume. 

And remember, leadership on a resume isn't about listing a bunch of generic phrases—it's about proving that you've already put in the work. 

So, let's tell your leadership story in a way that leaves potential employers eager to learn more.

How to effectively convey leadership skills for your resume

Showcasing leadership skills on your resume is all about illustrating a compelling narrative that testifies to your leadership abilities. 

Here's your roadmap to doing just that:

Figure out what leadership skills you need 

Understanding what leadership skills you should highlight can make you a top applicant. This is where Teal's AI Resume Builder comes into play. Beyond just helping you craft an impressive resume, Teal also assists you in identifying the leadership skills that you need to highlight.

Here's how it works: Teal's AI Resume Builder analyzes the keywords and skills from a job posting, aligning your resume with what hiring managers and recruiters are actively seeking:

By highlighting these keywords, you can easily identify the most relevant skills to the role you're applying for and ensure they feature prominently on your resume.

Why is this important? Well, most companies now use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software in their hiring process. These systems scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job description.

It's important to note that ATS doesn't choose or eliminate candidates based on these keywords. Instead, recruiters can use ATS software to search for specific terms, but the software itself doesn’t  do any automated choosing or rejecting.

But if a hiring manager asked for a specific skill in the job descriptions, they just might be searching for it when the applications start pouring in. And in today’s job market, you should take every advantage you can get. 

Want to see how your resume stacks up against the job description? Try it yourself.

Make a stellar skills section

Consider your resume as your personal marketing document. It's not just a list of where you've worked and studied; it's a spotlight on what you bring to the table.  

And that’s where the “ Skills” section comes in. This part of your resume is a chance to showcase the unique talents and abilities that make you the perfect fit for the job. 

But here's the kicker. We're not only talking about technical, hard skills like programming or financial analysis. We're also talking about those soft skills that make you a great team player, an effective communicator, or a visionary leader.

The resume skills section is your opportunity to demonstrate to potential employers that you've got what it takes to excel in the role, both in terms of the specific expertise required and the interpersonal skills that can make or break a team's success.

Show, don't just tell, in your experience section  

Bring your leadership skills to life through your resume summary and professional experience. For instance, don't just say you have "strong decision-making abilities." Instead, write, "used strong decision-making abilities to select and implement a new project management tool that reduced delivery times by 25%."

Remember, you're demonstrating what you’ve done here. If you can replace vague adjectives like “great” or “excellent” with concrete data, you’ll have a better shot at standing out. 

Celebrate your accomplishments

The resume accomplishment examples section of your resume is a critical space where you can display the real-world impacts of your leadership skills. 

But you need to maintain a balance when presenting your accomplishments. The line between confidence and arrogance can be thin, and it's important to navigate. 

The best way to tread this line is by relying on measurable results and letting them speak for themselves. For instance, "led a team that boosted sales by 20% " or "implemented a strategy that reduced costs by 30% ."

And don’t forget that a good leader recognizes the value of teamwork and the importance of collaborative success. So, even while highlighting your individual contributions, acknowledge the collaborative nature of your accomplishments.

Leadership skills resume examples (for different positions)

Showcasing leadership skills on your resume should always be tailored to your target position. While the following list isn’t exhaustive, here are some skills you might add to a resume for five popular roles.

*Note the structure: Seniority : Skill - “How to describe that skill on a resume.”

1. Software Engineer

• Entry-level: Problem-solving ability  

"Developed an algorithm to optimize the code, improving application performance by 15%."

• Mid-level: Cross-functional collaboration

"Worked collaboratively with the design and product teams, ensuring seamless integration of 4 new features."

• Senior-level: Strategic project management  

 "Led a team of 10 software engineers to complete a complex software update ahead of schedule."

Explore leadership skills from other software engineer resumes

2. Digital Marketing Specialist

• Entry-level: Analytical skills

“Analyzed website traffic data to improve SEO strategies, leading to a 20% increase in organic traffic.

• Mid-level: Campaign management  

"Managed a digital advertising campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in conversion rates."

• Senior-level: Strategic planning

"Developed and executed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that increased overall brand awareness by 40%."

Find more inspiration in the skill sections of other digital marketing specialist resumes

3. Sales Representative

• Entry-level: Relationship building

"Built strong relationships with key clients, leading to a 15% increase in sales."

• Mid-level: Negotiation skills

"Negotiated a key deal with a strategic partner, resulting in a 25% increase in annual revenue."

• Senior-level: Team leadership  

"Led a sales team to exceed their quarterly targets by 20%, contributing significantly to the overall company revenue."

4. Customer Success Manager

• Entry-level: Customer relationship management

"Managed relationships with 30 key accounts, achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 95%."

• Mid-level: Conflict resolution

"Successfully resolved over 200 customer issues, resulting in a 50% decrease in customer complaints."

• Senior-level: Customer success strategy

"Designed and implemented a customer success strategy that increased customer retention by 30%."

Working in CS? Check out these Customer Success resume skills

5. Product Manager

• Entry-level: Project coordination

"Coordinated the successful launch of a new product feature in collaboration with cross-functional teams."

• Mid-level: Product development

"Managed the development and successful launch of a product, leading to a 20% increase in user engagement."

• Senior-level: Strategic product vision

"Developed a product roadmap aligned with company vision, contributing to a 50% increase in annual revenue."

Leadership skills are crucial in Product Management. Be sure to check out these 19 product resumes for additional inspiration as you craft your skills section. 

It’s important to remember that these are simply examples of leadership skills and how they should be expressed when fleshed out on a resume. 

But remember, every leadership skill tells a story about you as a professional, and your story is unique . 

That means you’ll need to find the leadership skills that fit your profile best. 

Let's explore some core leadership skills (and examples of how to express them) that are great to include on your resume, regardless of your position:

• Communication: As a team lead, facilitated effective communication that improved project delivery times by 25%.
• People management: Successfully managed a diverse team of 10, fostering a positive work environment and high levels of team satisfaction.
• Decisiveness: Demonstrated decisive leadership in a critical project turnaround, resulting in successful on-time and under-budget delivery.
• Conflict resolution: Resolved a long-standing conflict between departments, improving cross-departmental collaboration and productivity.
• Creativity and innovation: Introduced solutions that improved product performance by 30%.
• Change management: Led the department through a significant organizational change with minimum disruption, maintaining 100% project delivery during the transition period.

The trick is to showcase not just why the skill is worth highlighting but also what it says about you as a candidate and how it has helped achieve your or your team's goals. Feel free to copy and paste any of our examples of leadership words for resumes to make yours all the more impactful. 

Showcasing leadership skills in job interviews

So far, we’ve looked at how to add leadership skills to your resume. But what happens when you land your first interview ? How can you demonstrate your skills to the person on the other side of the desk? 

Try a few of the following tips:

Draw from experience

The best way to showcase your leadership skills is to draw directly from your experiences. Your resume has already listed your leadership skills; now, it's time to bring them to life. 

Prepare several examples highlighting each skill, especially those most relevant to the position you're applying for.

For instance, if your resume mentions your strategic planning skills, you could discuss a time when your forward-thinking approach helped achieve a significant milestone, like, "When I was at XYZ Company, I developed a strategic plan that led to a 30% increase in product sales within six months."

Relating skills to job requirements

Another strategy is to directly tie your leadership skills to the job requirements. 

Let's say one of the job requirements is team management, for example, and your resume states that you've managed a team of 15 employees. During the interview, elaborate on how you used your leadership abilities to manage, motivate, and ensure productivity within your team.

You might say something like, "In my previous role, I managed a team of 15. I always ensured that each team member felt valued and motivated, which was reflected in our high team morale and exceeded productivity targets."

But if “team management” was a skill expressed in the job posting, you’ll want to share more stories about that skill during the interview. 

Using the STAR Method

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method is an excellent way to structure your examples during the interview. It guides you to provide a complete story: describe the Situation and the Task you were responsible for, then the Action you took, and finally, the Result of your efforts.

An example might be: "When I was leading the product team at ABC Company ( Situation ), we were faced with a challenging deadline for a new product release ( Task ). I developed a detailed project plan and facilitated extra brainstorming sessions, which fostered team creativity and motivation ( Action ). We were able to launch the product ahead of schedule, which resulted in a significant increase in customer satisfaction and sales ( Result )."

Practice using the STAR method when preparing stories for your next interview to make sure each example is structured and well-told. 

Using Teal’s AI Resume Builder to highlight leadership skills

Up to this point, we’ve covered the theory. And now? Let’s get down to action. 

You can create a resume in many ways, but Teal’s AI Resume Builder is hands down the easiest. 

With Teal, you can quickly and easily add a skills section to your resume and organize it as you see fit. 

All you need to do is sign up for Teal by clicking here and either create a resume from scratch or upload your existing resume. 

Scroll down to the “ Skills” section and click “ Add Skills” : 

Then simply add the skills you want to this section. 

When you’re done, you can drag and drop the “ Skills” section of your resume anywhere you’d like to emphasize it accordingly. 

Recent grads or people new to the workforce might place the “ Skills” section higher on their, for example, to compensate for lack of concrete experience. More senior roles, however, might add skills below their “ Work Experience” section , as this will complement tangible demonstrations of those skills in action. 

Teal’s intuitive platform offers flexibility in how you display your skills, putting you in the driver's seat . 

Final thoughts

Leadership skills, both on your resume and during an interview, are crucial to standing out in today's competitive job market. Tailoring these skills to match the requirements of your target position—whether you're an entry-level software engineer, a mid-level digital marketing specialist, or a senior product manager—can give you an edge over other candidates. 

Remember, every leadership skill tells a unique story about your professional journey .

In interviews, bringing these skills to life with compelling, concrete examples can show prospective employers what you're capable of. But before you get to the interview, you need a standout resume. 

And that's where Teal's AI Resume Builder comes in. 

This easy-to-use tool lets you add and organize a skills section on your resume in a way that best highlights your unique capabilities. Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, Teal's AI Resume Builder can help you craft a resume that showcases your leadership skills and tells your professional story in the most compelling way possible.

So don’t wait! Elevate your job hunt today by harnessing the power of Teal's AI Resume Builder today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i demonstrate leadership skills on my resume if i've never held a formal leadership position, should i include soft leadership skills on my resume, and if so, which ones are most impactful, how can i quantify my leadership experiences on my resume to make them more compelling.

Nathan Thompson

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• CEO CV example

Writing a CV is always a challenge, but when applying for the top roles in your industry, it can feel even more daunting.

As a CEO with so much experience to your name, it’s essential to focus on creating a well-structured and organised CV which highlights your most notable skills and achievements.

To help you do just that, I’ve created a step-by-step CEO CV guide, complete with an example CEO CV, to help you put forward an application which leaves employers   eager to interview you.

Here’s what I’ll cover in the guide:

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your CEO CV

CV templates 

CEO CV example

The CV example  above shows how you can create a pleasant reading experience for employers, even if you’ve got decades of experience to showcase.

Next, I’ll walk you through how to structure and format your own CEO CV, before launching into the detail of what information needs to be included  in each section.

CEO CV structure & format

There’s plenty of competition for senior roles, so hiring managers could have piles of CV’s to look through – but limited time to do so!

Therefore, the key to producing an interview-winning CEO CV is structuring it in a way which makes your key selling points stand out, even if your CV is being skim read.

You should also make use of my savvy formatting tricks, to ensure your vast experience is easy to navigate.

Formatting Tips

• Break up text as much as possible by using bold headings, bullet points and columns. Avoid long blocks of uninterrupted text – they’re a recruiters’ pet hate!
• Stick to a simple, crisp font and muted colour scheme – fancy designs will only distract from the all-important content.
• Even though you’re applying for senior roles, you still need to keep your CV to a maximum of 2 sides of A4 . This may seem tricky, but it’ll force you to pick out your most relevant experience, skills and attributes – so it’s actually a positive!
• Avoid include logos or pictures. They’re simply not required, add no advantage to your application and merely waste valuable space. 

Structuring your CV

Break your CV into clearly defined sections working towards the below structure:

• Contact details – These should be listed at the very top of the first page of your CV.
• Profile – A punchy, high-level introduction which summarises your offerings to grab the attention of busy recruiters.
• Work experience / Career history – Work in reverse chronological order, prioritising space for your most recent and relevant roles.
• Education –  Note down your qualifications, especially those which are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
• Interest and hobbies – An optional section, but can be used to showcase hobbies which are relevant to the target role.

Now, I’ll take you through what you need to include in each of these CV sections, in order to create a CV which wows recruiters.

CV Contact Details

Start your CV by noting down your contact information.

Stick to the basic details – there’s no need to include things like date of birth, marital status or your full address.

• Phone number
• Email address
• Location – Just list your town or city, for example, ‘Norwich’.
• If you have one, include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

CEO CV Profile

For any senior role, you face some stiff competition, making it vital to hook the attention of hiring managers as soon as they set their eyes on your CV.

The best way to do this is to create a punchy personal profile which showcases exactly why you’d be the best hire for the job.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Cliché or generic phrases such as “Hardworking team player with a can-do attitude”  won’t impress recruiters, especially at senior level. They’re completely unproven and don’t add value to your candidacy. Instead, focus on hard facts like skills, achievements and industry knowledge.
• Your profile needs to be short, sharp and punchy, so stick to a length of between 5-10 lines and focus on high-level details. You can add far more detail later on in your CV.
• Always tailor your CV profile to the specific positions you’re applying for, making sure to match the essential requirements listed in the role advertisements as closely as you can.
• Avoid mentioning your career objectives or motivations in your profile – this type of information is best suited to your cover letter.

What to include in your CEO CV profile?

• Your industry/market expertise  – Investment banking, fashion, property, pharma…
• Your field specialism  – Programme management, strategic planning, economic analysis, finance, business leadership …
• Level you work at  – Developing start-ups, leading multi-million-pound initiatives, managing international operations…
• Results you deliver  – Generating revenue, building client databases, reducing costs, increasing market share…
• Subject expertise  – Software knowledge, industry regulations, technology specialisms…
• Relevant qualifications  – While experience trumps qualifications at senior level, it’s worth mentioning any qualifications you hold which are considered vital in your field.

Core skills section

Creating a snappy list of your key skills is a highly effective way to spark the interest of busy recruiters.

Consult the job description and carry out sector research to identify which of your skills you need to be included. Focus on hard and technical skills, sector knowledge, methodologies and specialisms.

Even if they a recruiter was to quickly scan through your CV, this list, paired with your profile, ensures they know that you’d be a perfect fit for the role.

Work experience/Career history

Now that you’ve optimised the top section of your CV and hooked the attention of the reader, you can go into more detail about your relevant work experience.

Start with your current role and work backwards. By this stage of your career, you’re bound to have plenty of experience, but you still need to stick to the 2-page maximum length.

So, focus the attention on your roles from the past 1-10 years, and reduce the detail for your older roles. You can add your oldest roles as a simple, one-line summary, or even throw numerous roles into one. For example:

“1985 – 1984: Various roles within investment banking”

Structuring your roles

No recruiter wants to be faced with huge blocks of text, so break up your roles by using my simple, three-stage structure .

This method, along with some simple formatting tricks, makes it easy for readers to skim through your roles and gauge the impact you made within each.

To provide some context to the role, begin with a brief summary of the company you worked with, where you sat within the business and what the overarching purpose of your role was.

“Leading EMEA region for international banking transactions, tasked with overseeing 3 multi-million-pound transformation programmes and continued growth of service sales.”

Key responsibilities

Use bullet points to detail your day-to-day duties, making sure to showcase the impact your contributions made to the wider success of the business.

• Managed and reported the budget (£5m) setting process for 2015/16 and return to NTDA.
• Developed collaborative relationships with all stakeholders – Execs/Non-Execs, NTDA, PWC, EY and internal staff to aid information gathering process and buy-in.

Key achievements

If you’re applying for a chief executive officer role, you’ll be expected to bring results from the get-go. After all, if you’re expecting a high salary, the employer needs to know they’ll receive a return on their investment.

So, use this section to demonstrate your results and achievements in previous roles, using facts and figures to highlight the significance of your work.

• Developed 8 assessment centres, managed the consultancy period and made a number of redundancies and hires for vacant positions, saving circa £200k annually
• Renegotiated key staff supplier contracts, reding staffing bill by £30k per month (15% saving)

For a role at this level, recruiters will be far more interested in your experience over your qualifications, so you should keep the education section brief.

Avoid listing your GCSE or A-Level grades, but do note down any mandatory qualifications for your sector, as well as your highest qualification, such as a degree.

Interests and hobbies

Hobbies or interests are highly unlikely to influence the hiring decision for a position at this level. In most cases, it’s best to skip this section and save the space for the most important sections of your CV.

However, highly relevant interests, such as writing  for industry blogs , speaking at events or running your own sector-specific website, could add value to your application and may be worth including.

It’s best to use your own judgement here – just make sure you only list things which will add value to your application.

Essential skills for your CEO CV

The required skill set will change depending on the sector, but generally, you’ll be expected to hold the following CEO skills :

Operations management –  Overseeing company operations to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the overall business strategy and mission.

Business Strategy – Planning, developing and implementing strategic plans to advance the company’s mission and objectives.

Business development – Identifying new sales opportunities and driving business growth.

Financial analysis, forecasting & control – Driving profitability and overseeing the company’s financial activity, including budgeting, reporting, and auditing.

Team leadership – Showing leadership, guiding senior management and building a positive and productive culture in the workplace.

Writing your CEO CV

Winning one of the top roles in your industry is no easy task, but a strong, professional and well-written CV is sure to spark the attention of the right people.

With plenty of experience to showcase, the key to creating an interview-winning CEO CV is a solid structure and format. By using clearly defined sections, a simple style and plenty of bullet points throughout, you’ll allow your key selling points to stand out without overwhelming the reader.

Remember to litter your profile and work experience sections with lots of quantified results, to prove the value you could add to an organisation.

Good luck with your job search!