how to show leadership in personal statement

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Writing The Perfect Leadership Statement: Effective Guide

Table of Contents

Leaders are important in every aspect of life, whether in high school, the workplace, or elsewhere. Leaders are constantly available to help their followers set and reach a goal.

Leadership entails guiding and directing a group of people toward a common goal. When applying for jobs and specific leadership roles, a personal leadership statement can showcase your unique leadership skills. It can also set you apart as a standout leader. If you’re wondering  how to write a leadership personal statement , you’ve come to the right place.

A personal statement can help communicate your values and beliefs and demonstrate how you lead others. A leader must have effective communication, decision-making, strategic planning, strategic thinking, adaptability, inspiration, and emotional intelligence skills. These are some of the values to include in your personal statement.

This article will teach you how to write a perfect leadership personal statement .

What is a Leadership Personal Statement?

A leadership personal statement expresses the values, beliefs, and principles that guide your leadership style and behavior. It is a tool to help leaders identify their personal and professional goals and communicate them to others. 

A personal statement helps the reader understand your expectations and the standards of behavior you expect to see in your team . It also outlines an individual’s goals, skills, and experiences that relate to leadership. This statement is typically written as part of a job application, university application. Or as a way to demonstrate leadership ability for a professional development program.

Importance of a Leadership Personal Statement

• A leadership statement clarifies an individual’s personal values and beliefs.
• It guides a leader in decision-making.
• A leadership statement communicates your leadership style and helps build trust and understanding within a team or organization.
• It demonstrates your leadership experience and achievements in previous leadership roles.
• A leadership statement sets an expectation for the leader’s behavior and for the behavior of those you’ll lead.
• It helps to create a positive and productive work environment.
• It inspires others, especially those seeking guidance and direction, to develop their leadership skills.

What to Include in a Leadership Personal Statement

A personal statement gives you an avenue to highlight personal and professional goals and to communicate those goals to the readers. Below are key pieces of information to include in a leadership statement.

1. Your values

Your personal statement should reflect your values and beliefs about leadership. This might include values like honesty, integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity.

2. Your goals

A leadership personal statement should include your professional goals and objectives. These could be specific goals for your team or organization or more general goals related to your leadership style or approach.

3. Your expectations

 It’s important to communicate your expectations to the readers. Also, include information about the standards of behavior and performance that you expect from yourself and others.

4. Your leadership approach

Your leadership statement must include information about your leadership style and approach. This might include things like your preferred communication method, decision-making process, and problem-solving approach.

5. Your leadership achievements

Your personal statement should include past accomplishments and successes. This may include leading your team to achieve a specific goal or improving a process or system through your leadership efforts.

6. Your personal qualities

A leadership statement should include attributes and characteristics that make you a strong leader. This may include your communication skills, ability to adapt and problem-solve, or commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.

7. Other relevant leadership information

You can also include any relevant coursework, skills, degree, or training you have completed in leadership.

How to Write a Leadership Personal Statement

A good leadership personal statement must effectively highlight your values, goals, and vision as a leader. It should also reflect your unique style and approach to leading and inspiring others. 

Here are some steps on how to write a leadership personal statement .

1. Define your values

Your leadership personal statement should reflect your core values and the principles that guide your actions and decisions as a leader. You should consider what matters most to you, such as honesty, integrity, compassion, or excellence, and incorporate these values into your statement.

2. Identify your goals

Your leadership personal statement should also include your goals as a leader. These may be specific objectives that you hope to achieve, such as increasing productivity or improving team morale. Alternatively, your goals may be more broadly focused on creating a positive impact or making a difference in the lives of others.

3. Clarify your vision

The next step is to include a clear vision for the future that inspires and motivates others to follow your leadership. This may involve envisioning a specific outcome or creating a shared vision for your team or organization.

4. Describe your approach

Your leadership personal statement should outline your unique style and approach to leading and inspiring others. This may include your decision-making, communication, delegation, or problem-solving philosophy. An effective approach in your statement is the  SMART  approach.

The SMART approach is a framework that can be used to develop clear, specific, and achievable objectives. It represents Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Here’s how to use the SMART approach to develop a concrete approach for a leadership personal statement:

Specific : Your approach should be clear and specific so that it is easy to understand and focus on. Consider what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it.

Measurable : Your leadership approach should be measurable so that you can track your progress and determine whether or not you have achieved it. Consider how you will measure your progress by using specific metrics or benchmarks.

Attainable : Your approach should be attainable, meaning that it is realistic and feasible, given your resources and constraints. Write about your ability to accomplish your goals and the resources you need to achieve your objective.

Relevant : It must be relevant, meaning that it aligns with your values, goals, and vision as a leader. You can consider how your approach aligns with your overall mission and purpose as a leader.

Time-bound : Your leadership approach must also be time-bound, meaning it has a specific deadline for completion. This will help you stay focused and motivated and ensure that you are making progress toward your goal as a leader.

5. Proofread and Edit

After writing about your goals, vision, and approach, the final thing to do is to proofread and edit your leadership personal statement. This step is vital to ensure that the personal statement is error-free, clear, direct, and catchy enough to grab the reader’s attention.

Examples of Leadership Personal Statement

I am a leader with integrity and a servant’s heart. I have always been one to put the needs of others before my own. This has led me to become successful in many areas of life. My ability to lead by example and work collaboratively comes from my years of experience serving in the military. Whether leading a team through difficult terrain or accomplishing common goals, I have learned to create an environment where success is attainable for all.

I am a natural leader with the ability to motivate and inspire people. I have a track record of success in leading teams and achieving results. My goal is always to create an environment where people can excel, reach their full potential, and contribute to team success. I pride myself on being open-minded, innovative, and forward-thinking; my goal is always to find ways to improve outcomes for everyone involved. With strong communication skills combined with integrity and accountability, I can be an effective leader. That is, a leader who builds trust among team members while motivating them toward common goals.

Leaders are born, not made .

Throughout my life, I have been determined to be a leader and set an example for those around me. Whether it was captaining my high school soccer team or working as a project manager, I have always strived to lead by example. I continuously develop my skills and personal brand to serve best those who look up to me. Whether through mentorship, coaching, or simply providing support during difficult times, I am committed to leading with integrity. This is while inspiring others to reach their full potential.

My core values are honesty, integrity, and compassion as a leader. I aim to create a positive impact and make a difference in the lives of others. My vision is to build a team that is collaborative, innovative, and committed to excellence. I believe in empowering my team members to take ownership of their work and fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect. My approach to leadership is centered on collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning.

Leadership involves setting a vision for a team, communicating that vision to others, and inspiring and motivating others to work towards that goal. 

As a leader, you are key in every organization, and because of this, only the best leaders are required. Your personal leadership statement is the opportunity to sell your leadership know-how to readers , especially employers, to convince them of your leadership capabilities.

Use  Hey INK  to generate your unique leadership personal statement, just like the ones above.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Why You Should Showcase Leadership in a Personal Statement

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Kaila Barber, from College Essay Guy, in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

How to showcase leadership.

• Choosing Your Personal Statement

In this post, we will discuss some strategies and tips for showcasing leadership, and other essential values and transferable skills necessary for success, in your personal statement essays for applying to college. 

Let’s say you want to talk about leadership in your essay, there are many ways you can go about it. You can talk about leadership capabilities and experience through topics such as your organization skills, productivity and making things more efficient, communicating with people, and being a mentor. Categorizing the different skills and components of leadership can help you brainstorm potential topics that will position you as a good fit, and even an asset, for prospective colleges.

In particular, leading through mentorship is a great topic to write about as it is very important because you are creating a safe environment for those around you that fosters personal, academic, and professional growth. Building connections and community and creating a safe space where people can be authentic and feel mutual trust is what mentorship is all about, and having these abilities is a major plus.

Choosing Your Personal Statement 

Writing about a challenge.

If you choose to write about a challenge you overcame, make sure you’re talking about, and focusing on, specific actions you took, and what skill you gained from it. You can include leadership and productivity skills like time management, adaptability, or flexibility if those are relevant. 

Many students, especially during the pandemic, had to help out their families financially. If this describes your experience, or you have gone through similar challenges, you can write about it as  taking on that kind of extra responsibility is a big deal for students studying full-time. From experiences such as this, students gain a lot of real world experience applying skills essential for academic, and later professional, success and those are things colleges want to hear about.

Writing About Your Hobby

A popular topic for personal statement essays is how students turn their hobbies into an interest they now want to study in college. If you choose this topic, you want to make sure you demonstrate the insight you’ve learned from this hobby, as well as the values and transferable skills it has helped you develop. 

Similar to the way we broke down leadership, categorize the different skills you’ve gained from this hobby. You can then also talk about how these skills have influenced your decision to now study your hobby. Remember, the most important thing in this essay is to personalize it to your life story. If your hobby has affected your values and life views, that is a great way to personalize your essay.

A great example of breaking down how your hobbies can change your values is crocheting. A hobby like crocheting takes time and patience. There is a beauty and importance in taking the time to learn and practice the basics so you can then master more complex processes. Someone who writes about their crocheting hobby will be able to talk about how these values, gained through their hobby, changed their life values and helped them develop transferable skills. Crocheting is just one example, but this is the structure you should aim to have if you choose this topic. 

If you’re worried about choosing the right topic, you can always do a topic check with CollegeVine. This is a community feed where you can ask specific questions about the topic you’re considering writing about. 

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• Knowledge Base
• Applying to graduate school
• How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

How to Write Your Personal Statement | Strategies & Examples

Published on February 12, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 3, 2023.

A personal statement is a short essay of around 500–1,000 words, in which you tell a compelling story about who you are, what drives you, and why you’re applying.

To write a successful personal statement for a graduate school application , don’t just summarize your experience; instead, craft a focused narrative in your own voice. Aim to demonstrate three things:

• Your personality: what are your interests, values, and motivations?
• Your talents: what can you bring to the program?
• Your goals: what do you hope the program will do for you?

This article guides you through some winning strategies to build a strong, well-structured personal statement for a master’s or PhD application. You can download the full examples below.

Urban Planning Psychology History

Table of contents

Getting started with your personal statement, the introduction: start with an attention-grabbing opening, the main body: craft your narrative, the conclusion: look ahead, revising, editing, and proofreading your personal statement, frequently asked questions, other interesting articles.

Before you start writing, the first step is to understand exactly what’s expected of you. If the application gives you a question or prompt for your personal statement, the most important thing is to respond to it directly.

For example, you might be asked to focus on the development of your personal identity; challenges you have faced in your life; or your career motivations. This will shape your focus and emphasis—but you still need to find your own unique approach to answering it.

There’s no universal template for a personal statement; it’s your chance to be creative and let your own voice shine through. But there are strategies you can use to build a compelling, well-structured story.

The first paragraph of your personal statement should set the tone and lead smoothly into the story you want to tell.

Strategy 1: Open with a concrete scene

An effective way to catch the reader’s attention is to set up a scene that illustrates something about your character and interests. If you’re stuck, try thinking about:

• A personal experience that changed your perspective
• A story from your family’s history
• A memorable teacher or learning experience
• An unusual or unexpected encounter

To write an effective scene, try to go beyond straightforward description; start with an intriguing sentence that pulls the reader in, and give concrete details to create a convincing atmosphere.

Strategy 2: Open with your motivations

To emphasize your enthusiasm and commitment, you can start by explaining your interest in the subject you want to study or the career path you want to follow.

Just stating that it interests you isn’t enough: first, you need to figure out why you’re interested in this field:

• Is it a longstanding passion or a recent discovery?
• Does it come naturally or have you had to work hard at it?
• How does it fit into the rest of your life?
• What do you think it contributes to society?

Tips for the introduction

• Don’t start on a cliche: avoid phrases like “Ever since I was a child…” or “For as long as I can remember…”
• Do save the introduction for last. If you’re struggling to come up with a strong opening, leave it aside, and note down any interesting ideas that occur to you as you write the rest of the personal statement.

Once you’ve set up the main themes of your personal statement, you’ll delve into more detail about your experiences and motivations.

To structure the body of your personal statement, there are various strategies you can use.

Strategy 1: Describe your development over time

One of the simplest strategies is to give a chronological overview of key experiences that have led you to apply for graduate school.

• What first sparked your interest in the field?
• Which classes, assignments, classmates, internships, or other activities helped you develop your knowledge and skills?
• Where do you want to go next? How does this program fit into your future plans?

Don’t try to include absolutely everything you’ve done—pick out highlights that are relevant to your application. Aim to craft a compelling narrative that shows how you’ve changed and actively developed yourself.

My interest in psychology was first sparked early in my high school career. Though somewhat scientifically inclined, I found that what interested me most was not the equations we learned about in physics and chemistry, but the motivations and perceptions of my fellow students, and the subtle social dynamics that I observed inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to learn how our identities, beliefs, and behaviours are shaped through our interactions with others, so I decided to major in Social Psychology. My undergraduate studies deepened my understanding of, and fascination with, the interplay between an individual mind and its social context.During my studies, I acquired a solid foundation of knowledge about concepts like social influence and group dynamics, but I also took classes on various topics not strictly related to my major. I was particularly interested in how other fields intersect with psychology—the classes I took on media studies, biology, and literature all enhanced my understanding of psychological concepts by providing different lenses through which to look at the issues involved.

Strategy 2: Own your challenges and obstacles

If your path to graduate school hasn’t been easy or straightforward, you can turn this into a strength, and structure your personal statement as a story of overcoming obstacles.

• Is your social, cultural or economic background underrepresented in the field? Show how your experiences will contribute a unique perspective.
• Do you have gaps in your resume or lower-than-ideal grades? Explain the challenges you faced and how you dealt with them.

Don’t focus too heavily on negatives, but use them to highlight your positive qualities. Resilience, resourcefulness and perseverance make you a promising graduate school candidate.

Growing up working class, urban decay becomes depressingly familiar. The sight of a row of abandoned houses does not surprise me, but it continues to bother me. Since high school, I have been determined to pursue a career in urban planning. While people of my background experience the consequences of urban planning decisions first-hand, we are underrepresented in the field itself. Ironically, given my motivation, my economic background has made my studies challenging. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship for my undergraduate studies, but after graduation I took jobs in unrelated fields to help support my parents. In the three years since, I have not lost my ambition. Now I am keen to resume my studies, and I believe I can bring an invaluable perspective to the table: that of the people most impacted by the decisions of urban planners.

Strategy 3: Demonstrate your knowledge of the field

Especially if you’re applying for a PhD or another research-focused program, it’s a good idea to show your familiarity with the subject and the department. Your personal statement can focus on the area you want to specialize in and reflect on why it matters to you.

• Reflect on the topics or themes that you’ve focused on in your studies. What draws you to them?
• Discuss any academic achievements, influential teachers, or other highlights of your education.
• Talk about the questions you’d like to explore in your research and why you think they’re important.

The personal statement isn’t a research proposal , so don’t go overboard on detail—but it’s a great opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the field and your capacity for original thinking.

In applying for this research program, my intention is to build on the multidisciplinary approach I have taken in my studies so far, combining knowledge from disparate fields of study to better understand psychological concepts and issues. The Media Psychology program stands out to me as the perfect environment for this kind of research, given its researchers’ openness to collaboration across diverse fields. I am impressed by the department’s innovative interdisciplinary projects that focus on the shifting landscape of media and technology, and I hope that my own work can follow a similarly trailblazing approach. More specifically, I want to develop my understanding of the intersection of psychology and media studies, and explore how media psychology theories and methods might be applied to neurodivergent minds. I am interested not only in media psychology but also in psychological disorders, and how the two interact. This is something I touched on during my undergraduate studies and that I’m excited to delve into further.

Strategy 4: Discuss your professional ambitions

Especially if you’re applying for a more professionally-oriented program (such as an MBA), it’s a good idea to focus on concrete goals and how the program will help you achieve them.

• If your career is just getting started, show how your character is suited to the field, and explain how graduate school will help you develop your talents.
• If you have already worked in the profession, show what you’ve achieved so far, and explain how the program will allow you to take the next step.
• If you are planning a career change, explain what has driven this decision and how your existing experience will help you succeed.

Don’t just state the position you want to achieve. You should demonstrate that you’ve put plenty of thought into your career plans and show why you’re well-suited to this profession.

One thing that fascinated me about the field during my undergraduate studies was the sheer number of different elements whose interactions constitute a person’s experience of an urban environment. Any number of factors could transform the scene I described at the beginning: What if there were no bus route? Better community outreach in the neighborhood? Worse law enforcement? More or fewer jobs available in the area? Some of these factors are out of the hands of an urban planner, but without taking them all into consideration, the planner has an incomplete picture of their task. Through further study I hope to develop my understanding of how these disparate elements combine and interact to create the urban environment. I am interested in the social, psychological and political effects our surroundings have on our lives. My studies will allow me to work on projects directly affecting the kinds of working-class urban communities I know well. I believe I can bring my own experiences, as well as my education, to bear upon the problem of improving infrastructure and quality of life in these communities.

Tips for the main body

• Don’t rehash your resume by trying to summarize everything you’ve done so far; the personal statement isn’t about listing your academic or professional experience, but about reflecting, evaluating, and relating it to broader themes.
• Do make your statements into stories: Instead of saying you’re hard-working and self-motivated, write about your internship where you took the initiative to start a new project. Instead of saying you’ve always loved reading, reflect on a novel or poem that changed your perspective.

Your conclusion should bring the focus back to the program and what you hope to get out of it, whether that’s developing practical skills, exploring intellectual questions, or both.

Emphasize the fit with your specific interests, showing why this program would be the best way to achieve your aims.

Strategy 1: What do you want to know?

If you’re applying for a more academic or research-focused program, end on a note of curiosity: what do you hope to learn, and why do you think this is the best place to learn it?

If there are specific classes or faculty members that you’re excited to learn from, this is the place to express your enthusiasm.

Strategy 2: What do you want to do?

If you’re applying for a program that focuses more on professional training, your conclusion can look to your career aspirations: what role do you want to play in society, and why is this program the best choice to help you get there?

Tips for the conclusion

• Don’t summarize what you’ve already said. You have limited space in a personal statement, so use it wisely!
• Do think bigger than yourself: try to express how your individual aspirations relate to your local community, your academic field, or society more broadly. It’s not just about what you’ll get out of graduate school, but about what you’ll be able to give back.

You’ll be expected to do a lot of writing in graduate school, so make a good first impression: leave yourself plenty of time to revise and polish the text.

Your style doesn’t have to be as formal as other kinds of academic writing, but it should be clear, direct and coherent. Make sure that each paragraph flows smoothly from the last, using topic sentences and transitions to create clear connections between each part.

Don’t be afraid to rewrite and restructure as much as necessary. Since you have a lot of freedom in the structure of a personal statement, you can experiment and move information around to see what works best.

Finally, it’s essential to carefully proofread your personal statement and fix any language errors. Before you submit your application, consider investing in professional personal statement editing . For $150, you have the peace of mind that your personal statement is grammatically correct, strong in term of your arguments, and free of awkward mistakes.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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• College essay format
• College essay style
• College essay length
• Diversity essays
• Scholarship essays

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Avoiding repetition
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Dissertation outline
• Thesis acknowledgements
• Burned or burnt
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• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

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Leadership Statement: What It Is and How To Write One

How to develop a leadership statement.

Follow these steps to create an effective leadership statement:

1. Evaluate the values you want to exemplify

Clarifying your priorities and the values you want to emphasize as a leader is probably the most crucial thing you can do when writing a leadership statement. List your core values in a concise manner, and then order them in terms of importance.

It can be helpful to compare the values to one another in order to determine which you value most if you are having trouble ranking the values that you consider to be fundamental. If empathy and communication were on your list of values, for instance, you might consider which one you would choose if you could only have one or the other. Once you’ve done this for each value on your list, you might decide which one, as a leader, is most important.

2. Outline concrete objectives

Consider how your values relate to and underpin your goals after you’ve established them. You can comprehend how your leadership statement should appear in practice by identifying the actions and behaviors required to achieve your goals.

3. Determine how your goals will impact your employees

It’s critical to keep in mind that a leader’s actions, convictions, and objectives have a direct impact on the people they are leading as you create your personal leadership statement. Consider your objectives and core principles to determine which ones your teammates will value.

4. Keep it concise

You can combine your objectives and values into a vision statement once you have taken the time to assess the components of leadership that you believe to be crucial. Make your statement as concise and specific as you can as you write. It’s usually best to keep it to two to three sentences because it gives you enough room to communicate your ideas while still being brief enough to memorize.

5. Choose energizing and engaging words

Following the initial jotting down of your main ideas, you should return to your statement to edit and proofread it. A crucial component of this is streamlining the language to make it impactful and understandable. It is essential that you find inspiration in your leadership statement because it should give you direction and motivation.

What is a leadership statement?

A leadership statement typically has these key components:

Leadership statement sample

Depending on who writes them, leadership statements differ, but the following are a few well-written examples you can use as a model as you draft your own, distinctive leadership statement:

“I will concentrate on listening to feedback and promoting honest communication between my team members because I believe that effective communication is a key component of effective leadership,” I’ll exercise ethical leadership and assist my team in achieving their career objectives. “.

“I will build trusting relationships with my team members so that I can support and motivate them as they work toward realizing their full potential.” I’ll create a productive and enjoyable work environment using empathy, communication, and positivity. “.

Leadership Philosophy and How to Clarify Yours

What is a leadership statement example?

Example of a leadership statement “I believe that communication is a critical element of effective leadership, so I will concentrate on listening to feedback and promoting open communication among my team members,” I’ll exercise ethical leadership and assist my team in achieving their career objectives. “.

What is your leadership purpose statement?

Your leadership purpose is a declaration of who you are and how you incorporate those special qualities into your leadership so that you can succeed as a leader. Your values and the things in life that are most important to you are at the forefront of your leadership purpose.

What is a good example of leadership?

Effective leadership can be practiced in any capacity and at any level. For instance, dependability is demonstrated by turning in work on time and arriving on time for meetings. Providing assistance and guidance to less seasoned coworkers is another instance of leadership.

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How to Write a Personal Statement: Tell Your Story for Success

What is a personal statement, the purpose of having a personal statement, structure of a personal statement, how to write a personal statement, tips for having an effective personal statement, personal statement example, personal clarity cultivates long-term vision.

It’s not uncommon during the application process to come across a section asking you to write a personal statement. This can happen whenever you fill out an application, whether it’s for college admissions, a new job, or anything else. If you’ve ever stared at the question, wondering what exactly they mean by “personal statement,” that’s understandable. They’re essentially asking you to distill who you are, where you excel, and what you stand for in the space of only a few paragraphs. That’s a lot of pressure, especially if you haven’t exactly thought about those key questions before. It will likely be the first time you’ve ever needed to know how to write a personal statement.

You shouldn’t let the intimidation of the moment overwhelm you. Don’t look at writing a personal statement as a chore but rather as an opportunity . This is your chance to truly express yourself and explain what makes you tick. It’s also an opportunity to show how you stand out over everyone else.

In this article, learn what a personal statement is, the purpose behind it, how to write one, and some additional tips for crafting the strongest personal statement you can.

“A personal statement should summarize what the candidate has done in the past, what they want to do next, and the skills/knowledge/experience that bridges the two.” Zena Everett, director and career coach at Second Careers

A personal statement is a detailed look at who you are, including your skills, values, achievements, goals, hobbies, passions, and any other information relevant to the position you are applying for. The main focus of a personal statement will largely depend on if the application is for a job or if it’s intended for a college admissions committee.

For example, a personal statement to get into college will likely talk about high school achievements and awards as well as what the individual hopes to study. 

A personal statement written for a job, on the other hand, will usually refer to accomplishments in past jobs as well as what you want to achieve as you advance in your career. 

In general, a personal statement for a job will be shorter, but both types should focus on what unique aspects you bring to the table along with the purpose that drives you to succeed. While not exactly a mission statement , it should reference what you hope to accomplish in life.

You shouldn’t wait to write a personal statement until the moment you see the question on an application. Preparing one beforehand will get you ready to answer what is a pretty important question. If you haven’t made one yet, write it ahead of time so you can refer to it when applying for a job, college, or graduate school. 

Essentially, a personal statement represents your personality, goals, and achievements in a succinct way for those in decision-making roles. They should get a good sense of who you are and what kind of person you want to become. You may also choose to include what career coach Donna Shannon calls a “passion statement,” which is a quick summary of why you love your job.

The following are some of the insights a personal statement can reveal to someone about you:

• Crucial events in your life that shaped you into the person you are today
• The core values that inform the most important decisions you make
• The ethical values that you strive to live by when no one is watching
• Times when you’ve needed to learn and grow
• A vision for your life that you hope to fulfill

Personal statements should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. That much is pretty straightforward. However, the way in which you tackle the content of your personal statement usually follows one of two main structures: narrative or montage.

Narrative Structure

A narrative structure follows a story, only this time, you’re the main character who follows a hero’s journey. As part of the story, you can talk about the challenges you encountered in your life and how you overcame them . Then you can recount how you changed during that time, becoming the person that you are now. This structure is appropriate when you have faced big challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

Montage Structure

Not everyone faces a monumental challenge in their life. In such cases, a montage structure might be the best choice. This structure strings together a series of events and experiences you’ve had that all are tied into a similar theme . The experiences should represent different facets of your life that give helpful insight into your character and skills.

1. Create an Outline

While an outline won’t be seen by your intended audience, it is an indispensable step in creating the best personal statement you can. With an outline, you can organize your thoughts and properly plan out what your personal statement will include . This is the stage where you decide on your structure and what you’ll cover in the limited space you have. Creating an outline first will make writing your personal statement that much easier.

2. Begin With a Personality-Driven Introduction

Your introduction should serve more than just to ease the reader into your personal statement. Take the opportunity to show your personality from the very start . Indicate the type of person you are, and hook the reader with your unique qualities. Part of the introduction should discuss why the position or school interests you and why you would be the perfect fit there. The introduction should compel the reader to continue with the rest of the personal statement.

3. Detail Your Experiences, Skills, and Passions

Most of your personal statement should focus on the experiences, skills, and interests that make you different from everyone else. Use the body paragraphs to talk about what unique achievements you’ve accomplished. Go into detail about the skills you have that would be a huge benefit to the university or organization you want to join. Write about your goals and how much they mean to you.

You may find that all of these subjects lead to a personal statement that is far too long. While you want to be detailed, brevity is beneficial. One survey from the UK found that admissions officers spent on average only two minutes reading a personal statement. So pick and choose what you feel is the most relevant and unique information. Remember that you’re trying to sell them on the idea of having you join them. If it doesn’t contribute toward that end, there’s no need to include it. Harvard Business Review calls this “an elevator pitch to impress the recruiters.”

4. End With a Strong Conclusion

Your personal statement should conclude by summarizing many of the earlier points you made about why you want to be there and how you can help them. Make sure your conclusion is clear and strong. This is the final impression you’ll be able to give the reader, so you want it to be a positive one that makes them want to see more of you. Doing all this in a couple of sentences is an effective way to wrap up your personal statement.

5. Review and Refine

No personal statement will be perfect the first time you write it. Go back over what you wrote to proofread it. Check to make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Review it to see that you’re getting your main points across. If possible, after writing your statement, let it sit for a day and come back later with some fresh eyes . In that way, you’ll be able to identify anything you might have missed.

Now that you know the basics of how to format a personal statement, review the following additional tips so that you produce the strongest, most dynamic statement possible.

• Get feedback from friends, family, and colleagues.
• Use active voice as much as possible.
• Be clear and concise.
• Avoid over-explaining.
• Use a positive tone throughout.
• Stay away from cliches.
• Name your most recent achievements, not things from many years ago.
• Choose specific examples instead of generalities.

An additional thing to note is to actually answer the questions given in the prompt. A general personal statement can still be effective, but the prompt usually tells you what exactly people will be looking for in your answer. Copying and pasting your personal statement for every application will lead to a statement that misses the mark, no matter how well-written it is. As recruiter and business manager Laura Ross writes , “If you don’t take the time to ensure your personal statement is relevant to each job application, it will appear that you’ve been a bit sloppy, or even lazy.”

Ultimately, you should never overlook the personal statement section of an application. “Take it seriously!” is the advice given by Darren Weeks, a senior recruitment partner at the Office for National Statistics. “A few lines isn’t good for a personal statement, and won’t provide the evidence needed to allow your application to be assessed fully.” Think about what you write, and give an honest, insightful response.

Note that the following is merely a personal statement example and not one you should follow word for word. This example also uses the montage structure mentioned above.

“From the moment I stepped through the doors of the first marketing agency I worked for, I’ve always believed in creating a deep connection with customers and clients. This has led to numerous successful projects over the course of my 10-year career in marketing, a pattern of success I know I can carry over to your organization.

One particular project that proved highly influential was a client-outreach program I spearheaded. Thanks to my bilingual background, I designed two different programs, thereby increasing the potential customer base and reaching more people than ever before. I was also part of a marketing team that doubled our company’s revenue while under a strict deadline with a limited budget. My planning skills were instrumental in getting that project off the ground. I also helped launch a new e-commerce branch, creating multiple opportunities to reach customers and solve their needs.

My track record as a successful marketer is one of solving problems for the companies I’ve worked for as well as the customers we have. As I continue to grow in my career, I will bring the same levels of success to your company while further refining my skills.”

Writing a personal statement helps you to gain perspective by facilitating greater long-term vision and self-understanding. In much the same way a vision statement can help an organization, having your own personal statement leads to better decision-making, clearer goals, and an overall stronger sense of self. All of these elements are necessary for success.

Establishing that vision can be a challenge, though. The following are some tips that will help you create a vision for your life.

• Ask yourself deep questions, such as what your ideal future looks like or what problems in the world truly bother you.
• Think about what purpose you hope to carry out in your life.
• Focus on the details of your vision.
• Communicate your vision to others.
• Keep distractions away from you.
• Gain an understanding that your vision can change and mature over time.

Creating a vision board can also help define your vision in life. For more on how to do that, read the following article:

How to Create a Vision Board That Works

Leaders Media has established sourcing guidelines and relies on relevant, and credible sources for the data, facts, and expert insights and analysis we reference. You can learn more about our mission, ethics, and how we cite sources in our editorial policy .

• Adams, R. (2023, June 15). UK university staff only read students’ personal statements for two minutes. The Guardian . https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jun/15/uk-university-staff-only-read-students-personal-statements-for-two-minutes
• Laker, B. (2022, July 26). Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/07/switching-careers-heres-how-to-write-a-strong-resume
• Ross, Laura. “A Recruiter’s Guide To Writing A Powerful Personal Statement.” TMM Recruitment. https://www.tmmrecruitment.com/downloads/tmm_personal_statement_advice.pdf
• Shannon, D. (n.d.). The Passion Statement: Keystone of your job search. www.linkedin.com . https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/passion-statement-keystone-your-job-search-donna-shannon/
• Weeks, D. (n.d.). Personal Statements in recruitment – Why and How? www.linkedin.com . https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/personal-statements-recruitment-why-how-darren-weeks/
• Whitmell, C. (2014, April 8). What makes a recruiter hate your CV? The Guardian . https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/recruiter-hate-cv-new-job-application

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What is a Personal Leadership Statement?

Apr 23, 2023

A personal leadership statement is an important exercise in self-knowledge that clarifies a leader’s purpose, values, and beliefs about who they are as a leader and how they lead others.  The process begins with identifying the core experiences and role models that have influenced their leadership. When finished, this statement helps leaders be more congruent, aligned with their core values and principles, and reflective of how others see them in their leadership role.

That Vision Thing

Most executives I know are skilled at the ‘we’ vision – that which inspires an organization, major donors or investors, and stakeholders . They’ve helped create it, they live and breathe it, and are truly accomplished at galvanizing others around that ‘we’ vision. In fact, no smart leader would consider developing a strategic or business plan without having this in place first.

Yet few leaders have clarified their personal leadership statement (PLS). Which makes me wonder – if leaders consider the ‘we’ vision vital to organizational success, why don’t they think it’s equally vital to have one for themselves? I’m not sure there’s a good answer to this question.  What I do know is developing a personal leadership statement is an important exercise in self-knowledge.  Having one is something that separates great leaders from mediocre ones. It’s why my coaching clients develop one during their coaching program with me.

Why is a Personal Leadership Statement important?

It’s a strategic message that clarifies a leader’s purpose, values, and beliefs about who they are as a leader and how they lead others. A personal leadership statement helps you:

• Be more congruent , aligned with your core values and principles.
• Show up in influencing moments as who you really are – not who you think you should be as a leader.
• Be more intentional  in your leadership.
• Build more trust and respect between you and your team.

What do you believe about leadership?

When I first ask this question, typically my clients can’t answer it. Or, they stumble through an answer and discover they don’t have much clarity because they haven’t given it much consideration. When leaders answer this question, they articulate their core purpose and values , their intentions and expectations , as well as something very authentic about who they are . Their leadership vision becomes an anchor for their leadership credibility.

How to develop your Personal Leadership Statement

There are several ways to develop your personal leadership statement .  You can draw or collage it.  When I work with clients, I use a process that combines journaling with visual techniques. I’ve learned that many clients find it helpful to write down their ideas first, then think them ‘out loud’.  Because the way we write and the way we speak is different – and ultimately, you want to share your PLS with others . Finally, I help clients embody their PLS. What I mean by this is that you have to demonstrate  ‘who you are’ as a leader through your physical body. When a client is ready for this step, we have a coaching session or two with horses .  I am consistently amazed and delighted at how the experience of speaking your vision while leading a horse truly helps people embody what is important to them, peel away what is not, and claim their leadership presence.

Questions to get you started

Below are some of the questions I ask clients as part of the PLS process.  Few can answer them off the top of their heads and often find it a challenge. They often discover that the answers to these questions inevitably generate more questions, require a great deal of thought, and yield, in the end, rich and varied answers.

• What is your core purpose as a leader? Why are you here, doing what you do? Why would anyone want to be led by you?
• Who are your leadership role models and what did you learn from them? Who is your inspiration? What three or four critical events in your life shaped your beliefs about leadership? What do you know to be true about exceptional leaders?
• What do you believe about leading and motivating people? What values and principles are reflected in your plans, decisions, and actions when leading others?
• What can people expect from you? What are your intentions and commitments? How do you set an example?
• What do you expect from your people?

Personal leadership statement example

Hadley Morrow started coaching with me after they were first promoted to a management position. Finding their leadership voice was important to Hadley, so we worked on their personal leadership vision statement. One of the great things about Hadley’s statement is its flexibility . Hadley can work with the whole document or use sections of the document, depending on the setting. For example, Hadley may tell their whole story when speaking at Rotary. When onboarding new staff, they may use Purpose and Values, What I Expect From You, or What You Can Expect From Me. Recently, Hadley was promoted to Director of Equity and Engagement at Better Health Together . Read their Personal leadership statement.

Do you have a personal leadership statement? 

If so, I hope you’ll share it with me and with others. If not, give me a call at  (425) 488-7747 . I’m offering a special PLS package to new clients. In six sessions , you’ll have clarity and focus around your core leadership purpose, values, expectations, and commitments.

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How to Write a Top MBA Personal Statement (With Examples)

Working on your MBA application? You aren’t alone. In 2021, over 200,000 students graduated with an MBA degree making it the number one choice for graduate students for the 10th year in a row. And there’s good reason for this. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , post-MBA, grads can earn significantly more at work—experts estimate an additional $20,000 each year depending on the industry. 

During the application process, you’ll want to stand out. A well-crafted personal statement will help distinguish you from other applicants. It serves as a powerful tool to showcase your unique experiences, skills, and aspirations to admissions committees. To make a lasting impression, tailor your personal statement to each MBA program you’re applying to, highlighting how your background aligns with their values and goals. For additional support, keep reading for some MBA personal statement examples and guidance. 

Understanding the Foundations – Word Count, Templates, and Pricing

When you start your personal statement, keep the word count in mind. Make sure to write your statement succinctly. Templates can give crucial structure to a first draft and make sure you hit necessary points. Finally: is it worth it to hire a professional proofreader? We break down the pros and cons. 

Word Count Considerations

A well-written personal statement is often the deciding factor in the business school admissions process. Conveying your thoughts concisely is a crucial skill in the business world, and future peers will be grateful for your brevity.

One strategy is to start with a longer draft and edit it down when revising. Remove unnecessary details and tighten wordy language. Focus on improving the quality of your content over meeting the maximum word count. 

Templates as a Starting Point

Templates can help to organize your thoughts. Use them to provide structure and give your writing direction. By planning ahead, you can decide how much space you want to dedicate to each element—this can also help you meet the word count.

Remember: popular templates are popular for a reason, and following them too strictly can make your statement feel rigid and unoriginal. To avoid that pitfall, personalization is key. Your individual experiences, goals, and perspectives are all unique. What would a Master’s in Business Administration mean to you? Don’t be afraid to customize any template to fit your voice. 

Professional Proofreading

Graduate schools know what a well-written personal statement looks like—and so do professional proofreaders. Experts can help catch small grammatical errors and improve clarity in your writing. It can be challenging to review personal writing from an objective standpoint. A good proofreader will streamline your writing and ensure overall coherence, improving your odds with your preferred school of business. 

Unfortunately, this can be expensive. Pricing for these services can easily cost hundreds of dollars. If hiring one isn’t in the budget, here are some alternatives: 

• Find writing groups online or in person. Not only will you receive feedback, you’ll get a better idea of what other personal statements look like. Be prepared to help edit other statements.
• Reach out to peers and mentors. Turn to people who know your voice and can tell when your writing is authentic. Make sure they aren’t afraid to give negative feedback.
• Utilize free online resources. Writing tools like Grammarly or Hemingway help check grammar and sentence structure. They won’t help with essay format and aren’t infallible; double-check any changes they might suggest.
• Read your statement out loud. This can help make sure your statement has a good rhythm and flows naturally.
• Take breaks. Be your own set of fresh eyes. When you’re in the thick of writing, you might glaze over easy-to-spot details while you’re thinking of the big picture. Allow yourself to recharge and clear your head before you get back to it. 

Tailoring Your Personal Statement to Top MBA Programs

Make sure to personalize your essays to specific MBA programs . Include details about specific classes and faculty, unique opportunities, and the strengths that make this program stand out. 

Then, tie yourself into the narrative. What role would you fill as a graduate student or an alumnus? Consider your own strengths and where they align with this specific program. What career goals could this opportunity help you achieve? 

Remember to mention your soft skills and other details that may not show up elsewhere on your application. Finally, shine a spotlight on your unique contributions in past roles. 

Write a Captivating Introduction

A beautiful personal statement will be overlooked unless the introduction captivates the audience. You can begin with compelling anecdotes, personal stories, or influential quotes. Tie this introduction into your reason for pursuing an MBA. Make the reader care before launching into your achievements. Then, clearly state why you’re pursuing an MBA. Example: “From the dynamic intersections of global markets to the intricate strategies driving corporate success, the realm of business has always beckoned to me as a realm of boundless opportunity and perpetual evolution..” 

Discuss Academic and Professional Background

Now it’s time to discuss what you’re bringing to the table. It’s okay to brag! Think about any key achievements or acquired skills that are transferable to an MBA program. What motivated you to apply? Example : “As a project manager at XYZ Corp, I navigated intricate challenges, demonstrating resilience and strategic thinking – skills I am eager to refine in a top-tier MBA program.” 

Answer the Questions: Why an MBA? Why Now? 

What does an MBA mean for your career goals ? Break down your short and long-term goals to answer this essay question. How do the skills you gain from earning an MBA connect to your plan? Research the program you’re applying for and use examples from the curriculum. Example : “My immediate goal is to transition from project management to strategic consulting, and Crummer’s MBA program’s focus on experiential learning and global business strategy perfectly complements my aspirations.” 

Emphasize Soft Skills

Think about moments you demonstrated personal growth or teamwork. Are there any moments you stepped up to lead a project or team? Your past experiences will influence your habits in a graduate school setting. Example :  “Leading a cross-functional team on a high-stakes project not only honed my leadership skills but also taught me the importance of collaborative problem-solving, a cornerstone of Crummer’s MBA program. “

Spotlight Unique Contributions

What sets you apart from other applicants? Moreover, what impact will your unique perspective bring to the MBA cohort? Explain how your background will enrich the learning environment. Detail personal qualities and experiences that showcase your value. 

Key Elements for a Powerful Personal Statement

Take a holistic approach to strike the right chord in your personal statement. Give admissions committees a more concrete impression of you. Weave in your qualifications, experiences, and aspirations. Don’t just mention your professional achievements—detail all of your positive qualities. 

Showcase Work Experience 

Be strategic when discussing your real-world work experience. If you can, including measurable results is a great way to show your professional impact. Earnings numbers, statistics, and other metrics will show off your professional experiences. 

Articulate Career Goals and Aspirations

When discussing career goals for an MBA application, detail your short and long-term objectives clearly. Ambiguity can weaken your statement’s impact. Whether you’re joining a family business, starting your own business, or looking to go abroad for international business you should discuss how you see yourself navigating the business world. Connect these career aspirations to the MBA program. 

Incorporate Extracurricular and Real-World Experiences

Touch on any extracurricular experiences like internships or entrepreneurship. Explain how these real-world experiences impacted your analytical skills, business acumen, and decision-making. If you’re an entrepreneur, touch on your journey or discuss the vision for your next startup. 

You can also talk about moments where you demonstrated leadership and communication skills. Teamwork is critical to business leaders. Reflect on your leadership experience—the successes you’ve won and the lessons you learned. 

Maintain Authenticity

Write authentically. Admissions officers want genuine stories. Give readers a reason to empathize with you. Overly formal and generic language can depersonalize your statement and keep readers at arm’s length. 

Also, use conversational language. If something sounds clunky or unnatural, it probably also reads that way. Plus, the way you speak naturally showcases your personality. While you should always use proper grammar, don’t suck the life out of your statement in the name of sounding more “academic.” Use this opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills. 

Navigating Common Challenges

Crafting your personal statements can be challenging! Let’s answer some FAQs. 

How Do I Balance the Personal and Professional Aspects?

Be intentional about what you choose to mention from your personal life. Use elements that either contrast or emphasize your professional experience. How does your background influence your business philosophy? Make sure to keep a professional tone and align your statement with the admissions committee’s expectations and be prepared for any questions the interviewer could ask.

How Do I Handle Sensitive Topics?

If you’re writing about a sensitive topic, do so thoughtfully. You don’t know what type of people will be reading your statement, so be considerate and intentional about any details you choose to share. 

However, your application essay should be a reflection of you. Sensitive subjects often play a major role in personal growth and development. Discuss what you learned from this challenging experience and how it influenced you. 

How Do I Make My Writing Stand Out? 

We’ve touched on all of the story elements you need—now trim the fat. Avoid common clichés and generic statements. Common phrases will dilute the unique perspectives in your personal statement. Make sure the language aligns with you. Avoid language that could apply to everyone when possible. 

Other MBA Application Process Essentials – GMAT Score, GPA, and Statement of Purpose

The MBA application process is multifaceted and holistic. Alongside your statement, admissions committees also consider your GMAT scores and GPA. GMAT scores are used to gauge applicants’ aptitude for business studies, while GPA showcases your readiness for MBA rigor. If you have a lower score in either category, address these challenges by highlighting your other strengths, relevant experience, and resiliency. Remember: committees consider the entire application, not just scores. 

The other factor in the application process is your Statement of Purpose or SOP. This will complement your personal statement. Make sure your SOP articulates your academic and career goals without echoing your other application essay. Avoid redundancy. Focus on the future: link the MBA program to your long-term plan. Take a forward-looking perspective and demonstrate how the MBA will work as a natural progression in your life. 

Your personal statement should be as unique as you are. Start with a compelling narrative and a plan. Proofread your essay, and don’t be afraid to seek help from peers or professionals. Explain how your personal and professional life gives you the necessary skills to thrive at your desired program and be specific about what you want to do there. This is your chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants—take advantage!

Crummer is the #1 ranked MBA program in Florida. You can learn more about what we offer and when you’re ready, start working on your application . 

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Lori Ballen

Digital Marketing Strategies

How to Write a Leadership Statement

Online Business and Entrepreneurship / August 2, 2023 by Lori Ballen / Leave a Comment

This website contains affiliate links and offers that benefit Lori Ballen with no additional cost to you.

Imagine having a compass that not only directs your leadership journey but also aligns your team with your vision, values, and approach. This powerful tool is a leadership statement. It’s a dynamic document that captures your unique leadership philosophy and the critical skills you believe are essential for effective leadership. Leveraging this document, you can seamlessly orient new team members, enlighten stakeholders about your management style, and provide a robust framework for your personal growth as a leader. It’s more than just a statement; it’s your leadership identity penned down to inspire and guide.

Table of Contents

When writing your leadership statement, it is important to be clear and concise. Your statement should highlight your beliefs about the fundamental nature of leadership and the skills and traits you think are essential for success. You may also want to discuss your own experiences as a leader and how you have developed your own approach to management.

Here is an example:

[I believe that leadership is about servanthood. It is not about being in charge or having the most power but about using your position to help others reach their goals. I think the key skills for a leader are empathy, communication, and problem-solving. I have found that listening to others and considering their feedback is essential for building trust and creating successful teams. I also believe that it is crucial to adapt to changing circumstances and be proactive in addressing problems before they become too big.]

When drafting your leadership statement, remember to be authentic and honest. This document should reflect your own beliefs and values, not those of someone else. Be sure

The following tips can help you write a leadership statement that reflects your beliefs and values:

1. Define Leadership

The first step in writing a leadership statement is to define what you believe leadership is. What are the essential qualities of a good leader? What do you think the primary purpose of leadership is? Once you clearly understand what leadership is, you can start outlining your beliefs about it.

Example of leadership defined:

Leadership is the ability to inspire others to achieve a common goal. A good leader must be able to empathize with their followers, communicate effectively, and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Outline Your Philosophy

Your leadership statement should express your personal philosophy on leadership. What do you believe are the most important skills and traits for a leader to possess? What is your management style? How do you approach problem-solving? Defining your personal philosophy will help you articulate your beliefs about leadership clearly and concisely.

I believe that the most important skills for a leader are the ability to motivate and inspire others, think strategically, and make sound decisions under pressure. My management style is based on trust and collaboration. I approach problem-solving by considering all possible solutions and choosing the best one based on the situation and the team’s abilities.

3. Discuss Your Experiences

Your leadership statement should also include a discussion of your own experiences as a leader. What challenges have you faced? What successes have you achieved? What lessons have you learned along the way? Sharing your experiences will help readers understand how you developed your approach to leadership and why you believe it is effective.

“I have been a leader in both the military and the business world, and I have learned that success requires a combination of vision, planning, and execution. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills as a leader, and I am constantly seeking new challenges. I believe that this approach has helped me achieve success in both my professional and personal life.”

4. Be Concise

A leadership statement should be brief and to the point. You don’t need to include every detail about your beliefs or experiences; a few succinct paragraphs will suffice. Keep in mind that your statement will likely be read by a variety of people, so it is important to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively.

As a leader, I am committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all members of my team. I believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I will work tirelessly to support them in achieving their goals. I am also passionate about encouraging creativity and innovation, and I believe that these are essential ingredients for success in any organization.

5. Be Authentic

When drafting your leadership statement, remember to be authentic and honest. This document should reflect your own beliefs and values, not those of someone else. Be sure to avoid clichés and generalizations; instead, focus on sharing specific examples that illustrate your beliefs about leadership.

“I believe that a leader should always put their followers first. They should be willing to listen to their concerns and understand their point of view. A good leader understands that the key to success is building a team that is committed to the same goal.”

5. Edit Carefully

Once you have written your leadership statement, take the time to edit it carefully. Make sure that all of your points are clear and that there is a logical flow to your argument. Check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure that the tone of your statement is appropriate for its intended audience.

The best way to edit your leadership statement is to get someone else to look at it. Ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read it over and give you feedback. They can help you make sure your statement is clear, concise, and error-free.

Use Grammarly to check for spelling, grammar errors , and improve your sentence structure.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Once you have written and edited your leadership statement, it is important to practice reading it aloud. This will help you to ensure that your ideas are communicated clearly and effectively. It is also a good idea to practice with different audiences. You may want to try reading your statement in front of a small group of friends or family members, or you may want to give a presentation about your leadership beliefs to a larger audience.

No matter who you are speaking to, it is important to be prepared and to practice your presentation ahead of time. This will help ensure that your message is communicated effectively and that you make a positive impression on your audience.

Now that you know how to write a leadership statement, it’s time to get started! The best way to get started is to brainstorm some of your beliefs about leadership. Once you have a list of ideas, start drafting your statement. Be sure to edit it carefully and practice reading it aloud. With a little bit of hard work, you can create a leadership statement that will impress your audience.

What is a Leadership Statement?

A leadership statement, also known as a leadership philosophy, is a clear and concise manifesto that illustrates your leadership qualities, beliefs, values, and ideals as a leader. It reflects your leadership style and gives an overview of how you manage or intend to manage and lead teams.

Why is a Leadership Statement Important?

A leadership statement is important because it not only guides your actions and behaviors as a leader but also communicates your leadership style to your team. This clarity helps to build trust and understanding between you and your team members. Moreover, it helps to maintain consistency in your leadership, ensuring everyone knows what to expect and can work smoothly under your guidance.

How to Start Writing a Leadership Statement?

Begin by brainstorming and reflecting on your leadership experiences, values, behavior, and motivations. Think about the leaders you admire and identify what qualities they have that resonate with you. Consider the feedback you’ve received in past leadership roles, and assess what methods have worked well and what areas need improvement. All these reflections will serve as a basis for writing your leadership statement.

How Often Should a Leadership Statement be Revised?

Your leadership statement should include your core leadership values, your definition of success, your communication style, your approach to decision-making, your beliefs about motivation, how you handle conflict, and the expectations you have from your team. However, remember to keep it concise and focused.

Can a Leadership Statement be too long?

Yes, a leadership statement can be too long. Your statement should be concise and to the point. Typically, a leadership statement should not be more than two pages. If it is significantly longer, consider revising to focus solely on the key points of your leadership philosophy

How is a Leadership Statement different from a Leadership Vision?

While a leadership statement delves into your values, style, and approach as a leader, a leadership vision is more about the future. It encapsulates your long-term goals and aspirations for your team or organization, supplying the bigger picture for where you want to lead your team or organization in the future. Both are crucial parts of effective leadership, with one focusing on the ‘how’ (leadership statement) and the other on the ‘where’ (leadership vision).

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Leadership – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

• Updated January 15, 2024
• Published September 29, 2023

In the Civil Service, leadership is crucial. But how do you highlight your experiences and proficiency in these areas in a concise 250-word statement during your civil service application?

This becomes an even more delicate balance when it comes to showcasing your leadership skills. This article helps you craft a concise yet compelling narrative that effectively highlights your leadership credentials.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an emerging talent, understanding how to convey your capabilities within a concise 250-word limit is pivotal. Dive in to gain insights and tips on making every word count!

What Does Leadership Mean in Civil Service?

Leadership within the Civil Service is more than just occupying a higher position or making pivotal decisions. It embodies a commitment to public service, steering multidisciplinary teams with integrity, and aligning departmental goals with broader societal values. Leaders in this realm are not just visionaries but also stewards of public trust. They understand the multifaceted nature of government work, realizing that decisions have long-term ramifications affecting diverse communities.

Leadership in the Civil Service, therefore, hinges on collaboration, adaptability, and transparency. It’s about listening as much as directing, understanding the nuances of policy implications, and fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and empowered.

Leaders in civil roles often find themselves navigating complex terrains of bureaucracy, public expectation, and departmental objectives. Success in such positions requires a delicate balance of assertiveness and empathy, strategic thinking, and a grounded understanding of community needs.

Showcasing Leadership in Your 250-Word Personal Statement

In your 250-word personal statement for the Civil Service, it’s crucial to emphasize your unique leadership traits. A practical way to do this is by detailing a particular experience using the STAR method, which covers the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

This approach helps to not only showcase the results of your leadership but also the reasoning and values behind your choices. Highlight moments where you championed teamwork, tackled intricate problems, or led an initiative with significant community effects.

In the Civil Service, leadership isn’t about flashy actions but creating genuine, community-focused results through thoughtful and caring leadership.

• Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Communicating & Influencing – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Making Effective Decisions – How to Write a 250-Word Statement For a Civil Service Application

How to Structure a 250-word Personal Statement?

Are you applying for a job in the Civil Service? The 250-word statement on the application is your chance to make a strong first impression. They want to see if you can describe your leadership style effectively. 

Are you wondering how to fit this in a small space? Use the STAR method. It’s a simple way to discuss what you’ve done and how. Let’s dive into how you can structure your 250-word personal statement.

• Begin with a compelling introduction that succinctly states your core belief about leadership. This belief or philosophy should encapsulate your unique approach and perspective on leadership. For instance, “I’ve always believed that leadership is not about wielding authority but about empowering every team member.”
• Following your opening statement, elaborate briefly on your style or approach to leadership. For example, “Adopting a collaborative and transformative leadership style, I prioritize open communication and mutual respect, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.”
• Situation : Describe the context. Maybe your team faced a particular challenge, or there was a pivotal project at hand.
• Task : Outline your specific role or responsibility in that situation. Highlight any goals or objectives you were aiming for.
• Action : Detail the actions you undertook as a leader. Did you initiate team meetings? Mediate a conflict? Introduce a new strategy? This should resonate with your previously mentioned leadership style.
• Result : Conclude with the outcome. Showcase the positive impact of your leadership, such as achieved goals, improved team dynamics, or successful project completion.
• Wrap your statement by tying back to your core belief about leadership. Reaffirm your commitment to this leadership style in the Civil Service context, like, “In the Civil Service, I am eager to uphold this leadership philosophy, striving for collective success through collaboration.”

Quick Tips :

• Stay succinct and avoid jargon.
• Ensure there’s a logical flow between each section.
• Proofreading is vital! Eliminate any grammatical errors or ambiguities.

By following this structure and leveraging the STAR method, you’ll craft a compelling narrative that showcases your leadership skills and suitability for the Civil Service.

How to Write a Personal Statement Within the 250-Word Limit

Crafting a 250-word personal statement for a Civil Service application can initially appear challenging, given the limited space to convey your qualifications and aspirations. However, when structured efficiently, it offers a concise snapshot of your skills, particularly when highlighting leadership capabilities.

The STAR method is a tried-and-true method to achieve this clarity, allowing applicants to present evidence of their leadership prowess through personal experiences succinctly.

Tips for an Effective 250-Word Statement :

• Start Strong : Your opening sentence should grab attention and make clear the skill you’re emphasizing – in this case, leadership.
• Situation : Briefly set the context. Where were you, and what was the challenge?
• Task : Define your responsibility in that situation.
• Action : Detail the steps you took as a leader to address the challenge.
• Result : Conclude with the positive outcome derived from your actions.
• Stay Focused : With a tight word limit, hone in on one significant leadership experience rather than trying to cover multiple events.
• Use Active Voice : This makes your statement more dynamic and easier to read.
• Edit and Proofread : Eliminate any unnecessary words and ensure clarity. A polished statement will make a strong impression.

By employing the STAR method in your personal statement, you offer a clear narrative of your leadership journey, ensuring evaluators recognize your potential and dedication to the Civil Service’s values.

Example Personal Statement Civil Service

Below, we discuss five different examples of civil service personal statements.

Example 1: Civil Service Leadership

Leadership, especially within the Civil Service, isn’t just about holding a title or directing teams—it’s a profound commitment to public welfare, characterized by vision, integrity, and the ability to galvanize collective effort toward meaningful outcomes. Over the years, I’ve always tried to lead in a way that makes a real difference for people.

Situation : Upon joining the Department of Urban Development, I identified a significant gap: our projects were solid, but public engagement and inter-departmental collaboration were lacking, leading to bottlenecks in execution.

Task : As a newly appointed Division Head, I was entrusted with the twin challenges of enhancing public involvement in our projects and fostering better inter-departmental synergy.

Action : Recognizing the power of collective insight, I spearheaded an initiative called “Together We Build.” This involved monthly town hall meetings where public feedback was actively sought. Additionally, I instituted quarterly cross-departmental strategy sessions, breaking down silos and ensuring a more unified approach. Communication channels were established, responsibilities clearly defined, and feedback loops rigorously maintained.

Result : Within a year, project approval ratings from the public surged by 65%. More gratifyingly, inter-departmental project delays were reduced by 50%. The success of our projects became not just a departmental achievement but a collective triumph.

In the world of the Civil Service, I want to be the kind of leader who brings people together, comes up with new ideas, and always thinks about what’s best for the public.

Example 2: Civil Service Leadership

In the Civil Service, being a leader is about more than just leading a team. It’s about creating a place where honesty, dedication, and caring for the public come first. I’ve always led by these ideas, making sure that what we do is better for everyone involved.

Situation : At the Department of Environmental Initiatives, our projects were technically sound but faced resistance from local communities, impacting implementation timelines.

Task : As the appointed Project Lead, my challenge extended beyond administrative duties. I was to bridge the communication gap with the communities and streamline our projects to align with their concerns.

Action : I launched “EcoTalks,” a series of community engagement sessions. This platform wasn’t just for the department to elucidate project details but also for community members to voice their apprehensions and suggestions. I also initiated a mentorship program within the department, pairing experienced staff with newer members, ensuring knowledge dissemination, and fostering a culture of internal collaboration.

Result : By the end of the fiscal year, community resistance had diminished by 70%, with three major projects rolling out without hurdles. Internally, the mentorship program led to a 30% increase in project efficiency, and inter-departmental collaborations reached an all-time high.

Working in the Civil Service can be challenging, so a good leader needs to be flexible, welcoming, and strong-willed. With what I’ve learned so far, I’m ready to help out and make sure that everyone gets a chance to be a leader in their own way.

Example 3: Civil Service Leadership

Being a leader in the Civil Service means leading teams while also understanding what the public wants. It’s not just about making decisions but also about really getting what different people need and want. My experience has taught me that leadership is as much about listening as it is about guiding.

Situation : When I took charge of the Department of Transportation’s outreach team, I encountered a significant challenge. Several public transit proposals, though well-intentioned, were met with skepticism and pushback from local communities.

Task : Beyond my standard duties, I recognized an urgent need to rebuild public trust and realign our proposals to better match community needs.

Action : I established “TransitTalks,” interactive town-hall sessions allowing communities to engage directly with our department. These weren’t just informative but dialogic, providing a platform for feedback and concerns. Internally, I championed a mentor-mentee system, ensuring new recruits had guidance and a clearer understanding of our department’s ethos and objectives.

Result : Six months in, not only did public opposition to our transit proposals drop by 60%, but our projects also began incorporating invaluable community insights, leading to more sustainable and accepted initiatives. The mentorship initiative led to a more synchronized team, reducing project lead times by 25%.

In the world of the Civil Service, being a leader is about bringing different things together to create a clear and strong story. Based on what I’ve learned and done, I want to promote a way of leading where everyone works together, respects each other, and grows together.

Example 4: Civil Service Leadership

Being a leader in the Civil Service is about more than just giving orders. It’s about leading while also listening and working together with your team and the public to solve problems. I think a real leader is someone whose ideas connect with others and who makes decisions that really make a difference.

Situation : When I stepped into the role at the Department of Community Development, I was met with a team that was technically proficient but often faced challenges in harmonizing with the communities they served.

Task : Beyond the typical administrative roles, I aimed to revitalize our department’s relationship with the communities and bolster internal team collaboration.

Action : I instituted “Community Voices” – forums where community leaders and citizens could directly discuss their aspirations and concerns with our department. This ensured we didn’t just work for the community but with them. Simultaneously, I launched internal workshops fostering cross-functional collaboration and peer learning, breaking silos and creating a unified departmental vision.

Result : Over the next year, our projects witnessed a 50% increase in community endorsements and support. Internally, project collaboration led to a 35% decrease in delivery times and enhanced team morale.

Within the dynamic framework of the Civil Service, I am driven by a vision of leadership that is both participative and impactful. It’s a vision where leadership is not a position but a shared journey towards creating meaningful societal change.

FAQ: Civil Service Leadership

• Leadership in the Civil Service revolves around guiding teams, shaping departmental strategies, and driving impactful policies, all while adhering to public service values and principles.
• As the Civil Service is instrumental in implementing public policies and programs, effective leadership ensures these are carried out efficiently, transparently, and in the best interest of the public.
• Showcase specific experiences where you’ve led teams, influenced decision-making, or spearheaded projects. Utilize the STAR method in personal statements or interviews to clearly convey your leadership journey.
• While various leadership styles can be effective, the Civil Service often values collaborative, inclusive, and adaptive leadership that prioritizes teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and continuous learning.
• Many departments offer leadership training programs, mentoring opportunities, and rotational assignments to help employees cultivate and enhance their leadership capabilities.
• Leaders might grapple with balancing policy directives with public feedback, managing inter-departmental collaborations, and navigating the complexities of governmental processes and regulations.
• No. Leadership is valued at all levels. Even early-career civil servants can display leadership by taking initiative, championing ideas, or leading small teams and projects.
• Civil Service leadership often involves more stakeholder engagement, a stronger emphasis on public welfare, and navigating unique bureaucratic and regulatory landscapes.
• Seek feedback regularly, participate in available training, engage in cross-departmental projects, and stay updated on best practices and leadership trends.

Related posts:

• Making Effective Decisions – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Delivering at Pace – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Communicating & Influencing – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Changing & Improving – How to Write a 250 Word Statement For a Civil Service Application
• Civil Service Interview Questions & Answers

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Natalja Atapin

Natalja Atapin is a seasoned job interview and career coach at Megainterview.com and brings a decade of recruitment and coaching experience across diverse industries. Holding a master's degree in Organisational Psychology, she transitioned from coaching to managerial roles at prominent companies like Hays. Natalja's passion for simplifying the job search process is evident in her role at Megainterview.com, where she contributes practical strategies to assist professionals and fresh graduates.

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6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

• Rebecca Knight

Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances call for different approaches.

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.

Much has been written about common leadership styles and how to identify the right style for you, whether it’s transactional or transformational, bureaucratic or laissez-faire. But according to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist best known for his work on emotional intelligence, “Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances may call for different approaches.”

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

David Folkenflik

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust.

NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to reflecting a diverse array of views on Tuesday after a senior NPR editor wrote a broad critique of how the network has covered some of the most important stories of the age.

"An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America," writes Uri Berliner.

A strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion on the basis of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, promoted by NPR's former CEO, John Lansing, has fed "the absence of viewpoint diversity," Berliner writes.

NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

NPR names tech executive Katherine Maher to lead in turbulent era

She added, "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

Praised by NPR's critics

Berliner is a senior editor on NPR's Business Desk. (Disclosure: I, too, am part of the Business Desk, and Berliner has edited many of my past stories. He did not see any version of this article or participate in its preparation before it was posted publicly.)

Berliner's essay , titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," was published by The Free Press, a website that has welcomed journalists who have concluded that mainstream news outlets have become reflexively liberal.

Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence College graduate who "was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother ," he fits the mold of a loyal NPR fan.

Yet Berliner says NPR's news coverage has fallen short on some of the most controversial stories of recent years, from the question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election, to the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, to the significance and provenance of emails leaked from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden weeks before the 2020 election. In addition, he blasted NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On each of these stories, Berliner asserts, NPR has suffered from groupthink due to too little diversity of viewpoints in the newsroom.

The essay ricocheted Tuesday around conservative media , with some labeling Berliner a whistleblower . Others picked it up on social media, including Elon Musk, who has lambasted NPR for leaving his social media site, X. (Musk emailed another NPR reporter a link to Berliner's article with a gibe that the reporter was a "quisling" — a World War II reference to someone who collaborates with the enemy.)

When asked for further comment late Tuesday, Berliner declined, saying the essay spoke for itself.

The arguments he raises — and counters — have percolated across U.S. newsrooms in recent years. The #MeToo sexual harassment scandals of 2016 and 2017 forced newsrooms to listen to and heed more junior colleagues. The social justice movement prompted by the killing of George Floyd in 2020 inspired a reckoning in many places. Newsroom leaders often appeared to stand on shaky ground.

Leaders at many newsrooms, including top editors at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times , lost their jobs. Legendary Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron wrote in his memoir that he feared his bonds with the staff were "frayed beyond repair," especially over the degree of self-expression his journalists expected to exert on social media, before he decided to step down in early 2021.

Since then, Baron and others — including leaders of some of these newsrooms — have suggested that the pendulum has swung too far.

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Legendary editor marty baron describes his 'collision of power' with trump and bezos.

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned last year against journalists embracing a stance of what he calls "one-side-ism": "where journalists are demonstrating that they're on the side of the righteous."

"I really think that that can create blind spots and echo chambers," he said.

Internal arguments at The Times over the strength of its reporting on accusations that Hamas engaged in sexual assaults as part of a strategy for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel erupted publicly . The paper conducted an investigation to determine the source of a leak over a planned episode of the paper's podcast The Daily on the subject, which months later has not been released. The newsroom guild accused the paper of "targeted interrogation" of journalists of Middle Eastern descent.

Heated pushback in NPR's newsroom

Given Berliner's account of private conversations, several NPR journalists question whether they can now trust him with unguarded assessments about stories in real time. Others express frustration that he had not sought out comment in advance of publication. Berliner acknowledged to me that for this story, he did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he give the network advance notice.

Some of Berliner's NPR colleagues are responding heatedly. Fernando Alfonso, a senior supervising editor for digital news, wrote that he wholeheartedly rejected Berliner's critique of the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, for which NPR's journalists, like their peers, periodically put themselves at risk.

Alfonso also took issue with Berliner's concern over the focus on diversity at NPR.

"As a person of color who has often worked in newsrooms with little to no people who look like me, the efforts NPR has made to diversify its workforce and its sources are unique and appropriate given the news industry's long-standing lack of diversity," Alfonso says. "These efforts should be celebrated and not denigrated as Uri has done."

After this story was first published, Berliner contested Alfonso's characterization, saying his criticism of NPR is about the lack of diversity of viewpoints, not its diversity itself.

"I never criticized NPR's priority of achieving a more diverse workforce in terms of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I have not 'denigrated' NPR's newsroom diversity goals," Berliner said. "That's wrong."

Questions of diversity

Under former CEO John Lansing, NPR made increasing diversity, both of its staff and its audience, its "North Star" mission. Berliner says in the essay that NPR failed to consider broader diversity of viewpoint, noting, "In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

Berliner cited audience estimates that suggested a concurrent falloff in listening by Republicans. (The number of people listening to NPR broadcasts and terrestrial radio broadly has declined since the start of the pandemic.)

Former NPR vice president for news and ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin tweeted , "I know Uri. He's not wrong."

Others questioned Berliner's logic. "This probably gets causality somewhat backward," tweeted Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann . "I'd guess that a lot of NPR listeners who voted for [Mitt] Romney have changed how they identify politically."

Similarly, Nieman Lab founder Joshua Benton suggested the rise of Trump alienated many NPR-appreciating Republicans from the GOP.

In recent years, NPR has greatly enhanced the percentage of people of color in its workforce and its executive ranks. Four out of 10 staffers are people of color; nearly half of NPR's leadership team identifies as Black, Asian or Latino.

"The philosophy is: Do you want to serve all of America and make sure it sounds like all of America, or not?" Lansing, who stepped down last month, says in response to Berliner's piece. "I'd welcome the argument against that."

"On radio, we were really lagging in our representation of an audience that makes us look like what America looks like today," Lansing says. The U.S. looks and sounds a lot different than it did in 1971, when NPR's first show was broadcast, Lansing says.

A network spokesperson says new NPR CEO Katherine Maher supports Chapin and her response to Berliner's critique.

The spokesperson says that Maher "believes that it's a healthy thing for a public service newsroom to engage in rigorous consideration of the needs of our audiences, including where we serve our mission well and where we can serve it better."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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