How to Develop the Leadership Skills You Need for 2025 and Beyond 

It’s clear that the skills required to lead effectively are shifting. The rapidly evolving landscape, shaped by economic pressures, advances in artificial intelligence, hybrid work models, and more, calls for a different kind of leadership. Our first blog post in this two-part series, What Makes a Great Leader in 2025?, explored the traits that strong leaders possess (including empathy, communication, agility, open-mindedness, and vision). In the second part of our series, we will outline some practical methods and actionable tips to develop those strong leadership skills. 

1. Cultivating Empathy for the Future 

Having empathy, or Emotional intelligence (EQ), is no longer optional for leaders, it’s often a necessity. As workplaces become more complex, the ability to navigate emotions (both your own and your team’s) becomes critical. Leaders with high EQ are better able to build trust and motivate others. 

How to develop EQ: 

• Self-awareness: Practice mindfulness or journaling to reflect on your emotions and how they affect your decisions. Take a few minutes each morning and see if you can fill up 2-3 pages in your journal before you start your day. It helps to release your inner thoughts and may provide you clarity as you move through your day.  

• Empathy: Make time for one-on-one check-ins with your team. You don’t need a strict agenda; you can allow your team members to drive the conversation. Listen actively and without judgment to understand their challenges and perspectives. 

• Self-regulation: Take a step back before reacting in difficult situations. Practice techniques like deep breathing or taking short breaks to help you manage stress. 

Actionable Tip: Set aside time each week to reflect on your leadership and interactions with your team. Ask yourself: How did I respond to challenges? What could I have done better? 

2. Mastering Effective Communication in Uncertain Times 

Clear, transparent communication is more critical than ever, especially during times of uncertainty. Great leaders know that while they might not have all the answers, keeping communication open helps to foster trust, build clarity, and align teams toward shared goals. 

How to improve communication: 

• Be transparent: Even if you don’t have all the answers, let your team know you’re working on finding solutions. Honesty creates trust. 

• Listen actively: Leadership is as much about listening as it is about speaking. Pay attention to your team’s feedback and concerns. Leverage those on your team who have the ear of others, check in with them and see what concerns may be arising that you’re unaware of. 

• Use multiple channels: Whether in-person, over email, or in your virtual meetings, make sure your message is delivered in a way that is accessible to everyone. It can’t hurt to repeat your message to be fully understood (e.g., leveraging multiple channels). This is a Strategic Communications best practice that can be implemented in your day-to-day. 

Actionable Tip: Make it a point to send regular updates to your team, even when there’s no major news. Keep them in the loop to demonstrate that you value their involvement and insights. These communication strategies mirror the frameworks we use in our strategic communication consulting at FMP, helping organizations navigate change and align teams effectively.  

3. Building Agility and Resilience in a World of Constant Change 

In an era of constant change, adaptability is an invaluable leadership trait. Resilient leaders are able to bounce back from setbacks, remain calm during crises, and pivot when necessary. This requires a mindset shift: instead of fearing change, leaders must embrace it as an opportunity for growth and innovation.  

How to build agility and resilience: 

• Embrace a growth mindset: Encourage learning and experimentation. Celebrate both successes and failures as part of the learning process. 

• Stay informed: Keep up to date on industry trends and technological advancements. Being digitally fluent will allow you to guide your team through transitions with confidence. 

• Encourage flexibility: Be open to changing direction if the current plan isn’t working. Agile leaders are willing to adapt and evolve when needed. 

Actionable Tip: Set a personal goal to learn something new each month (e.g., a new technology, platform/tool, leadership technique, or way of working). This mindset of continuous upskilling will serve you well in times of change or disruption. You can also schedule informal “teach backs” or knowledge sharing opportunities with your team to encourage learning, sharing, and team growth.  

4. Leading with Open-Mindedness: Creating a Culture of Belonging 

Leaders are working to foster teams where everyone feels heard, valued, and respected. Open-minded leaders not only drive innovation but improve employee satisfaction and retention. 

How to lead in an open-minded manner: 

• Be aware of your perspective: Regularly reflect on your decision-making process. Are you inadvertently favoring certain ideas or excluding others? 

• Create opportunities for all voices: Invite input from all team members and actively seek out differing viewpoints, including those who are often quieter in meetings or other forums. 

Actionable Tip: In meetings, consciously call on those who have not shared their perspective (or connect with them one-on-one after the meeting) to ensure they see their place on the team. 

5. Developing a Compelling Vision for Your Team and Organization 

A strong vision is the north star for any organization, particularly when navigating uncertainty. Leaders who can clearly articulate a purpose-driven vision inspire their teams to work toward a common goal, creating a sense of direction and commitment. 

How to develop and communicate your vision: 

• Align your vision with values: Ensure your vision resonates with your organization’s values and team’s aspirations. A clear, compelling vision doesn’t need to be complex. Focus on the bigger picture and how it connects to everyday work. 

• Inspire action: A good vision doesn’t just inspire, it motivates! Connect daily tasks to the larger mission so that each team member sees their individual impact. 

Actionable Tip: Share your vision with your team often. Use stories and examples to show how everyone’s work contributes to the greater purpose, so they understand how their work connects. 

Leadership development isn’t a one-time event, it’s a lifelong journey. Whether you’re building your emotional intelligence, honing your communication skills, or learning how to be more resilient, every step you take today prepares you for the leadership challenges of tomorrow.  

These practices are foundational to the learning and development programs we design at FMP, where we help organizations build cultures of continuous learning and growth. 

Jessica Waymouth is a Managing Consultant at FMP, LLC where she helps organizations drive lasting change by aligning people, strategy, and systems. With a background in project management, human-centered design, and strategic communications, she brings a thoughtful, results-driven approach to workforce transformation. She has a particular passion for mission-driven impact, designing environments that empower individuals and organizations to grow. Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of two, curious traveler, and loves a good book.