How to Get Leadership Positions in High School

Do you dream of making a difference? What about helping others and having a positive impact on your community? If you’ve answered yes to either of these questions, you’ll want to seek out leadership positions while you’re in high school. Not only do leadership opportunities help stimulate personal growth, but they also teach you how to make a difference by helping you cultivate communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. 

Wondering how to get leadership positions in high school? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In addition to explaining the many benefits of leadership positions, we’ll also advise you on how to go about securing a leadership position and how to succeed in your position once you’ve acquired one. 

Understanding Leadership Roles in High School

Leadership is about guiding others, initiating change, and contributing to a cause in ways that wouldn't happen without your involvement. Formal leadership roles like being a club president, team captain, or student government representative are valuable, but informal leadership also matters. For example, hosting a community cleanup, mentoring younger students, or spearheading a fundraiser all count as leadership experiences.

When reflecting on your leadership roles, ask yourself:

• Did I work with others and guide them in a productive direction?

• Would this project or initiative have been as successful without my involvement?

• Was I influential in achieving goals or making decisions?

What Leadership Positions Are Available?

So, now that we’ve discussed some of the benefits of leadership positions in high school, it’s time to start thinking logistically. In other words, what leadership positions are actually available in high school?

The majority of high school leadership positions are related to school clubs and extracurricular activities. Running for student council is a great example of a leadership opportunity. You could also run for president, vice president, treasury, or secretary of a school club, like Model UN, Art Club, Chess Club, Theater Club, etc. All of these leadership positions are great examples of elected positions. That being said, there are also appointed leadership roles as well, such as being captain of a sports team or section leader in the school band or orchestra. 

Other leadership opportunities include applying for high school internships and participating in activities like debate competitions or the academic decathlon. 

You might also want to look into attending the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC).  

Why Leadership Matters in High School

There are lots of benefits of leadership opportunities, including an increased sense of confidence and responsibility. As a leader, you’ll need to work on your organizational, time management, communication, and teamwork skills. After all, being a good leader means being aware of the people around you and finding meaningful ways for everyone to work together towards a common goal. 

Being a leader requires a lot of hard work, especially while you’re in high school and still discovering your potential. That being said, leadership opportunities are valuable experiences that will contribute to your personal growth immensely and will help you stand out from your peers on your college applications. 

Steps to Secure a Leadership Position

Now that you have a better sense of what leadership opportunities are available to you in high school, it’s time to focus on securing a leadership position. From getting involved in extracurricular activities early in your high school career, to building positive relationships with the people around you, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Getting Involved Early and Often

As previously mentioned, the majority of high school leadership positions relate to extracurricular activities and school clubs. Getting involved in extracurricular activities early in your high school career and showing up consistently communicates commitment and reliability — two important leadership traits. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the best leaders are truly invested in their roles, meaning that you should seek out leadership opportunities in clubs that you genuinely enjoy and are interested in. In other words, don’t just join a club because you think you have a good shot at securing a leadership position. 

Building Relationships and Reputation

Leadership positions must be earned. After all, being a leader means representing a group and having that group’s best interest at heart. So how do you prove to a group that you would be a good leader? To start, you’ll want to be friendly and make an effort to connect with peers, teachers, and advisors. This might mean saying hello to other students in the hallways, making an effort to remember everyone’s name, and actively listening to others while they speak by making eye contact and asking follow-up questions. You also can’t underestimate the power of a positive attitude and a can-do spirit! 

Skills to Develop for Leadership Success

We’ve already spent some time discussing the skills you’ll develop within a leadership role, but how do you actually go about cultivating these skills? While there are many leadership skills out there, we’ll narrow down our focus a bit by limiting ourselves to four key skills: communication, public speaking, organization, and time management. 

Communication and Public Speaking

Whether you’re leading a club meeting, presenting an idea, or encouraging a team, being able to speak clearly and confidently helps you connect with others and inspire action. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being authentic, listening well, and sharing your thoughts in a way that brings people together.

High school offers plenty of chances to build your speaking skills, from class presentations and student government to debate team or theater. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. Over time, you’ll learn how to express your ideas with clarity, lead with confidence, and make your voice heard!

Organization and Time Management

Between classes, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities, it’s important to stay organized so nothing gets forgotten. This is especially important as a student leader. After all, everyone is counting on you to show up prepared!

Using organizational tools like planners, calendars, or digital apps can make a big difference when it comes to time management. Whether you prefer writing things down or setting reminders on your phone, finding a system that works for you helps you stay on top of deadlines, meetings, and goals. With a little planning and consistency, you’ll be able to balance your leadership duties with everything else on your schedule. 

How Leadership Experience Boosts Your Confidence

Leadership positions aren’t just about the tasks you accomplish—they’re about how they shape your character and help you grow. By taking on leadership roles, you naturally build confidence as you take on challenges, solve problems, and make decisions.

Taking Initiative

Leadership is about demonstrating initiative, something colleges and employers look for in candidates. Taking on a leadership role shows that you're not afraid to step up and make a difference. You take ownership of projects, guide teams, and make sure things get done. These actions reveal your ability to take charge and move things forward, which speaks volumes about your character and work ethic.

Responsibility and Accountability

Leaders are entrusted with responsibilities, whether it’s managing a team, coordinating events, or overseeing a project. By managing these responsibilities, you learn how to be accountable for your actions and the success of your team. This is a key quality that colleges and employers value—being responsible and dependable is essential for long-term success in any field.

Overcoming Challenges in Leadership Roles

Every leadership position comes with its own unique set of challenges. After all, every group is different and has its own unique needs. That being said, there are a couple of common challenges you’ll need to work through as a leader, including handling conflicts and managing stress. 

Handling Conflict and Difficult Situations

Challenges are inevitable, especially when working with a team. Whether it’s a disagreement between club members or a project that’s not going as planned, effective communication and active listening skills are essential to resolving disputes. It’s also important to acknowledge your mistakes, reflect on what went wrong, and use those experiences as learning opportunities. Overall, facing conflict with a calm, solution-focused mindset not only strengthens your leadership skills, but also earns the trust and respect of your peers.

Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout

It’s no secret that high school can feel overwhelming. From homework assignments, to AP tests, to college applications, to making new friends, there are times when you’ll need help managing your stress levels. This is why self-care is so important. So make sure you’re eating well, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. You’ll also want to make sure that you schedule in time to take breaks, have fun with your friends, and enjoy your hobbies. After all, if you only focus on work, it’ll be difficult to avoid burnout.

It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, one of the leadership skills you’ll need to work on is learning how to fairly delegate tasks to others so that you don’t get too overwhelmed. You’ll also want to seek out a mentor figure if possible, perhaps the club advisor. Not only do mentors teach by example, but they can also help talk you through difficult situations and act as a sounding board. For more information on the benefits of mentorship in high school, click here!

Wrapping Up Your Leadership Journey

If you’re ready to take your leadership journey to the next level, Polygence’s mentorship programs are the perfect place to start. Our experienced mentors work with high school students to guide them through leadership opportunities, from school clubs to community projects, and help them build the skills they need to succeed.

Through personalized mentorship, you’ll receive actionable strategies to help you step into leadership roles, develop essential leadership skills, and grow both personally and professionally. Whether you’re looking for guidance on running for student government, leading a community service project, or starting your own initiative, Polygence mentors can help you every step of the way.

Taking on leadership positions in high school is more than just a way to stand out on your college applications. It’s a chance to build valuable skills like communication, teamwork, and responsibility. These experiences help shape who you are and prepare you for future challenges in college, careers, and beyond. As you grow, keep looking for opportunities to lead, learn, and make a difference. The habits and confidence you develop now can become the foundation for lifelong success as a leader in any field you choose.

Looking for even more opportunities to learn and grow? Consider signing up for our Research Mentorship Program.