Unlocking Student Leadership: 10 Questions to Help Students Find their Strengths

Imagine you’re in a classroom or advising session, surrounded by students eager to make a difference but unsure of where to start. They may be passionate about their studies, but translating that into leadership can feel daunting. Picture asking them a single question that suddenly makes them pause, think deeply, and begin to recognize qualities in themselves they hadn’t considered before. That’s the power of asking the right questions—helping students tap into their natural strengths and see their potential as leaders.

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about self-discovery and understanding one’s unique talents and strengths. As mentors, educators, and advisors, we can guide students toward uncovering their leadership abilities simply by encouraging self-reflection. Here are ten powerful questions that, when posed thoughtfully, can lead students on a journey to recognizing their potential.

• What activities or tasks make you feel most energized and engaged?Help students notice where they feel naturally motivated. These are often areas where their strengths shine.

• When others ask for your help, what topics or areas do they come to you for?This question helps students see where others already trust them, often revealing hidden strengths.

• Describe a time you felt proud of something you accomplished. What skills did you use?Asking them to reflect on moments of pride helps bring forward skills they may overlook.

• How do you handle challenging situations or conflicts within a group?Understanding their approach to challenges reveals their problem-solving and resilience—key aspects of leadership.

• What values or principles are most important to you, and how do they influence your interactions with others?This question helps students clarify their core values and see how these shape their style of leadership.

• What qualities do you admire in leaders you look up to? Understanding what they admire in others can help them see the qualities they’d like to develop in themselves.

• How do you usually contribute to a team? Do you prefer leading, supporting, organizing, or providing creative input? This question helps them think about their role in group dynamics and what contributions feel most comfortable or natural.

• When faced with a goal, what approach do you take to achieve it? This reveals their problem-solving and goal-setting methods, showing them how they can apply these approaches in leadership.

• How do you motivate yourself and others when facing a difficult task? This helps students reflect on how they inspire action and resilience, both in themselves and in others.

• What impact do you want to have on others or your community? Asking this allows them to think about their purpose and the legacy they hope to create, which can guide their leadership development.

Each question encourages students to reflect on a specific area of their life, promoting self-awareness, confidence, and direction—all essential for growing into effective leaders. By encouraging this kind of reflection, we can help students become not just academically successful but also purposeful, capable leaders.

Trying to determine your own leadership superpowers? You can also take a 5-question Situational Leadership Assessment for Professionals to discover your leadership style when working with students.

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