Leadership might sound like a big, fancy word, but it’s something anyone can learn – yes, even you! Think of it as learning to play the piano or cook a delicious meal. You don’t just wake up one day as an amazing pianist or chef, do you? You put in the effort to learn, practice, and improve. Leadership works the same way.

Let’s break it down step by step, so you can start your journey to becoming a leader today.

The Basics of Learning Anything

Imagine you wanted to play the piano. What would you do? You’d probably:

• Read a book about music or piano theory.
• Take lessons from a teacher who knows how to play.
• Practice playing the piano until your fingers move like magic.
• Watch and listen to other pianists perform.

Now think about learning French or baking a cake. The steps are pretty similar:

• Study the basics (like recipes or grammar).
• Get instructions from someone who’s already good at it.
• Practice a lot, even when it’s hard.
• Observe how others do it and learn from them.

Leadership is no different. These four actions – studying, getting help, practicing, and observing – are the secret ingredients to becoming a great leader.

The Building Blocks of Leadership

According to Col. Art Athens, a leadership expert, becoming a great leader starts with six key building blocks:

• Self-knowledge: Understanding who you are, your strengths, and where you can improve.
• Observation: Watching how leaders handle situations, both good and bad.
• Intellectual base: Knowing leadership theories and ideas (like reading this blog!).
• Mentoring: Having someone guide you, share advice, and encourage you.
• Adversity: Facing tough times and learning how to deal with them.
• Experience: Taking on leadership roles and learning by doing.

These are the foundation stones of leadership. But how do you build on them? That’s where action comes in.

SPOM: Study, Practise, Observe, Mentor

Let’s turn those ideas into action! Here’s what you can do:

• Study Leadership – Read books or articles, watch videos, or even follow inspiring leaders online.

• Get a Mentor – Find someone who can guide you and share their leadership wisdom.

• Practice and Gain Experience – Take small leadership roles, like being a team captain or organising a group activity.

• Observe Others – Watch how leaders around you behave – both the good and the bad – and learn from their examples.

To lead effectively, you don’t have to be flawless. Because leadership, like every type of journey, is a road trip of learning, developing, and uplifting those around you.

A Wise Reminder

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

In simpler terms, being a leader and learning go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a leader isn’t magic; it’s a journey. You don’t need to be born with special powers or be the loudest person in the room. You just need to commit to learning, practising, observing, and letting others guide you. Whether you’re leading a team, your class, or even yourself, these steps will set you on the right path.

So go on – start studying, practising, observing, and finding a mentor. You’ve got what it takes to be a leader. All it takes is a bit of SPOM and a lot of heart.

This blog is inspired by ideas from the book Saltwater Leadership: A Primer, written by RADM Robert Wray, USN (Ret.), CDR Andrew K. Ledford, USN, VADM John B. Mustin, USN, and RDML Theodore P.S. LeClair, USN. It’s a brilliant guide on becoming a better leader, and if you’re curious, you can find a copy here at the IBSUniversity Library.

For more information, please contact: