News >> Browse Articles >> HR News
News >> Browse Articles >> Job Seekers
6 Steps to Great Leadership
Dan McCarthy | Greatleadershipbydan.com
September 24, 2009

Every once in a while I’ll get a question from a reader, co-worker, or student about how to break into the leadership development field. The reality is, it’s not really an entry level profession, and there’s no one right way to get there.
The leadership development profession includes trainers, coaches, HR generalists, managers, authors, speakers, preachers, and every combination of these. They have degrees in management, organizational development, human resource development, psychology, education, and engineering. Some have certification… some don’t.
So while I don’t have a good answer on how to break into the field, I can look back and share how I’ve learned (and continue to learn) about leadership development. I believe these could be repeatable learning experiences for someone just getting started.
In no particular order: Step 1
Dan McCarthy has been a practitioner in the field of leadership development for over 20 years. He’s currently the Manager of Leadership and Management Development at a Fortune “Great Place to Work,” “Training Top 125,” and “High Impact Learning” (HILO 80) company. Dan has a Master’s degree in Human Resource and Organizational Development and has held management positions in both HR and training. His award winning blog, Great Leadership, offers practical information and opinions about leadership development, leadership, and talent management.