19 Leadership Skills That Support Growth at Work and In Life

Effective leadership requires more than relying on the knowledge and experience that got someone to the top. As technology advances, workplace expectations shift and new business challenges emerge, leaders must keep building and expanding their knowledge and skills to make sound decisions and guide their organizations effectively.

With countless professional and personal development opportunities available, deciding which skills deserve attention can be difficult. Below, members of Forbes Business Council share the new skills they want to learn and explain why those capabilities are especially valuable right now.

1. Lifelong Learning And Adaptability

The skill I continue to develop is being a better listener and lifelong learner. In a world changing faster than ever, the greatest advantage is adaptability. Leaders do not need to have every answer, but they do need curiosity, humility and the ability to evolve as their teams, customers and industries change. – Mo Husain, La Vie Academy

2. AI-Powered Business Skills

I’d like to become even more effective at using AI as a business tool. It’s changing how we work, communicate and make decisions, and leaders should understand how to use it thoughtfully. The goal isn’t to replace people but to help people do their best work. – Marsha Murray, Murray Resources

3. Behavioral Science Integration

The one skill I’d prioritize is integrating behavioral science into how we interpret data and stakeholder decisions. Understanding the cognitive biases and motivations driving behavior, whether from clients, competitors or individual team members, adds a layer of meaning that pure analytics simply can’t surface. – James Langabeer, UTHealth Houston

4. Data Storytelling

I can produce a flawless event, but being able to translate that experience into measurable impact takes skill. Attendance trends, engagement metrics and ROI are the language executives and boards actually respond to. In a world where every budget line is scrutinized, the producers who can prove the value of human connection, not just create it, are the ones who keep getting the call. – Diana Sabb, Create Something Amazing

6. Collaborative Learning

I’ve seen teams unlock hidden potential in colleagues who just need a new perspective on unfamiliar topics. The skill I most want to keep developing is collaborative learning. This means staying curious and learning from customers, colleagues and peers. In healthcare, where change is constant, leaders who continue learning together are better equipped to improve outcomes and navigate what’s next. – Kempton Presley, AdhereHealth

7. AI-Native Leadership

One skill I’m focused on developing is effectively leading in an AI-native world. This goes beyond using AI tools, as it’s about understanding how to combine human judgment with AI-driven insights to make better decisions. As information becomes more abundant and complex, leaders who can harness AI while maintaining context, critical thinking and accountability will be better equipped to drive innovation and long-term growth. – Maneesh Sharma, TestMu AI (Formerly LambdaTest)

8. Applied AI Knowledge

I’ve found that the best leaders stay curious and keep learning in real time. One skill I’m focused on developing is an applied understanding of AI—focusing on how to use it to improve decision-making, the customer experience and internal processes. It’s especially important now because it’s no longer an emerging technology; it’s already reshaping how work gets done in banking and beyond. – Maria Tedesco, Atlantic Union Bank

9. Using AI To Amplify Human Potential

The skill I am most committed to developing is understanding how artificial intelligence can amplify human potential. Access to information is no longer the differentiator. The real advantage is combining technology with judgment, creativity, empathy and strategic thinking. Working in communication, communities and business growth, understanding this intersection is essential. We need to learn how to collaborate with AI while remaining deeply human. – Bouchra Danwra, DHOW Marcom Agency

10. Leveraging AI As A Thought Partner

I’d like to become significantly better at using AI as a thought partner rather than just a productivity tool. The leaders who learn how to combine human judgment, creativity and empathy with AI’s speed and scale will have a meaningful advantage. It’s important because AI is rapidly changing how we work, learn, communicate and make decisions. – Stephen Sokoler, Journey

11. AI Error Detection

It’s important to know when AI is confidently wrong. The key skill isn’t prompting anymore but catching what the model got wrong before it ships. As more work routes through these systems, the differentiator stops being who can use the tool and becomes who can spot the error. That takes real domain depth—the kind built by staying close to the actual work. Leaders who outsource their thinking entirely will be the last to know when the output is off. Judgment is more valuable, not automated. – Raja Walia, GNW Consulting

12. Financial Modeling

As a founder, I have always leaned on the operational and relational side of building a business. However, understanding how to stress-test assumptions, model scenarios and read a forecast the way an investor does is a skill I am actively building right now. – Jordan Dunin, HatchPath

13. Collaborative Negotiation

I’d like to become a better negotiator—not because I want to “win,” but because I want to better understand what matters most to both sides and find solutions that create value for all involved. In business and in life, the best outcomes usually come from aligning interests rather than trying to come out on top. Negotiation skills become even more important as relationships, partnerships and decisions grow increasingly complex, which seems to be happening every day. – Cindy Machles, Glue Advertising and Public Relations

14. Business Storytelling

One of the most important skills leaders can develop is the ability to tell their story. That story should connect their sphere of influence to the outcomes achieved. Communicating it simply and concisely requires a clear framework, strong data and deep business understanding. Leaders who can effectively tell their business’s story set themselves apart. – Tom Strohl, Oliver Wight Americas

15. Compassionate Leadership

Compassion is not something I want to learn as a new skill but one I want to strengthen. As AI reshapes work, qualities like empathy and compassion become more valuable because they remain distinctly human. Strong leaders must make difficult decisions, but compassion helps them balance business performance with the impact those decisions have on people, communities and society. – Sas Mukherjee, Catalyst Solutions

16. Emotional Intelligence

In a world of rapid change, I would advise everyone to strengthen their emotional intelligence. Technology and processes matter, but people drive results. The ability to understand concerns, navigate difficult conversations and build trust is more important than ever for leading teams through uncertainty and change. – Justin Wisor, Salisbury University

17. Energy Management

I want to become better at energy management. As a founder, the hardest resource to protect is often not time but attention and mental clarity. You can have a full calendar and still avoid the most important work. I want to improve how I manage focus, recovery and decision fatigue, because better leadership comes from sharper thinking, not simply working more hours. – Igor Trunov, Ventora

18. Intentional Time Management

I never believed people when they said time moves faster as you get older, but I’m finally learning that there will always be more to do than there are hours in the day. I’ve spent too much time trying to fit 16 hours of work into an eight-hour workday. My goal this year is to be more intentional about how I spend my time and take more control of my schedule. – Nathan Miller, Rentec Direct

19. Radical Unavailability

I am actively learning the art of radical unavailability. We’ve conflated constant presence with effective leadership, but it’s burning our cultures out. I want to master the skill of stepping entirely away to think deeply. Showing my team that boundaries are sacred doesn’t just save my sanity but also gives them the psychological permission to protect theirs, too. – Volen Vulkov, Enhancv

Source: Forbes