As leaders we are often looking for something to help propel us to the next level, take us from where we are to 10 steps ahead. We consider expensive coaching, new courses, mentors, but how often do we look at volunteering.

Volunteering is a cornerstone of many successful leaders, and there is a reason why. Volunteering is key to developing yourself.

Why Do Leaders Volunteer?

Many leaders pay to be a part of large organizations where they volunteer their time and expertise. So why is it that so many leaders pay to volunteer? What makes it so important to them?

Volunteering offers you the opportunity to satisfy personal needs and drives through a structured organization.

Volunteering can help you to grow and develop yourself in more ways than you could count. Here are some of the benefits leaders see from volunteering:

• Opportunity to express values and tie into someone else’s values.
• Have the opportunity to use some skills that are not always used in your day-to-day work.
• Helps you to feel like your career and life are developing and allows you to explore new areas for growth.
• Get to build new social relationships.
• Psychological enhancement.
• Reprograms your mind to create the happiness feeling for you.

Volunteering has so many benefits and is a cornerstone of many leader’s lives. It helps to keep you grounded growing, and happy.

When Should You Get Involved in Volunteering?

Volunteering pushes you to become better and to grow yourself. You will be introduced to several new parts of yourself that need work, and this will take up your time.

So, if you are a leader who feels lonely, stagnated, or feel like your personal growth is slow; volunteering is a great option for you.

It has several benefits as we described above and can change the way your live your life.

Volunteering is often not top of the list of things that can help you develop your leadership skills, but it should be. Make it a cornerstone and you’ll experience the growth in yourself.