Leadership Mindset vs. Leadership Skillset

Let’s be real—being a leader is not about just checking off a list of skills like, "Okay, I gave feedback today. Gold star for me!" True leadership goes beyond the mechanics of running a team or making decisions. It’s about your mindset—how you approach challenges, how you inspire others, and how you lead with purpose (even when your Wi-Fi is down and you can’t find the mute button on Zoom).

So, what’s the difference between having a leadership skillset and a leadership mindset? And why do you need both to be the kind of leader people actually want to follow?

Leadership Skillset: The ‘Doing’ Part of Leadership

A leadership skillset is the toolbox of practical, hands-on abilities that get things done. It’s the stuff you can put on a resume and say, “I got this.” And while these are essential, they’re not the full story.

Key Skills You Probably Already Know (But Here’s a Reminder Anyway):

1. Communication: Can you explain things without sounding like you're speaking another language? Great! That’s a win.
2. Decision-Making: Do you make choices that don’t leave everyone thinking, "Wait, what?"
3. Conflict Resolution: Can you stop your team from fighting like it's a Thanksgiving dinner debate?
4. Time Management: Can you juggle tasks without dropping all the balls?
5. Team Building: Does your team actually like working together, or do they only collaborate in memes?

All of these skills are super important for keeping the wheels turning smoothly at work. But here’s the catch: skills alone won’t make you a leader people want to rally behind. That’s where mindset comes in.

Leadership Mindset: The ‘Being’ Part of Leadership

A leadership mindset is more like your inner compass. It’s how you think, how you handle stress, and how you approach the job of being in charge. It’s about showing up as you—but the best version of you (the one who gets coffee for the team, not the one who hides in meetings).

Key Elements of a Leadership Mindset (Because it’s not all about skill):

1. Growth-Oriented Thinking: Those with a growth mindset believe there’s always room to get better. They see challenges as “growth opportunities”. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Nobody became a great leader by getting everything right the first time.
2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Here’s a not so secret, secret: people follow leaders who get them. Emotional intelligence is understanding your team’s needs and knowing when someone’s having a rough day (and not just because they missed the deadline). It’s amazing how much more productive (and happy) your team can be when they feel seen.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: If you want to lead, you have to roll with the punches. Resilience means you don’t crumble when things go wrong. And adaptability? It’s how you survive when plans A through Z fail, and you have to make up plan 3C. When things fall apart, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Whose idea was this disaster?”
4. Vision and Purpose: Great leaders aren’t just checking boxes. They lead with a clear purpose. They inspire others by sharing their vision (and not just that “let’s get this done before Friday” kind of vision).
5. Self-Accountability: Leaders with the right mindset own their mistakes and hold themselves accountable. When you mess up (because we all do), own it. A little “Yep, that’s on me” goes a long way in building trust.

Lead Like You, But Better

Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being you, just a little better every day. Yes, you need the skills to get the job done. But to truly lead, you need the mindset to guide your team through both the chaos and the calm. When you have both, you’re not just managing people—you’re, well, leading them.