Good leadership is tricky — it takes practice, experience and confidence, three things no job promotion or new company launch necessarily guarantee.

But if you’re committed to becoming a strong leader — of your team, your department, your startup or an entire business — you can start by refining your basic leadership skills (and practicing them every chance you get).

Get Support

One thing leaders have in common is that they know what they don’t know.

• Seek advice not just from people in your field, but colleagues in other industries, coaches, even teachers. Then weigh their words of wisdom against your own gut.
• When you’re ready to take on a leadership role, find a mentor you can trust to guide you. (Pro tip: It helps to have someone in your company as well as a few advisors outside the business to give you perspective.)

Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Some leaders might be born, but most are made — and the process starts with understanding what you’re good at and where you’re falling short.

• Cultivate mental “toughness” so you can handle both criticism and big decisions without fear.
• Take a look at these 12 traits of natural managers, and identify which ones you need to work on.
• One of the best leadership tips you’ll ever get: Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. (And here are 28 more leadership lessons that might come in handy too.)
• Remember, good managers come in a variety of packages — and ages.

Make the Right Impression

While leaders are judged first and foremost on their actions, the impression you make (good or bad) can go a long way toward cultivating others’ trust in your decisions.

• First meeting as a leader? Here are 13 tips for making a great impression on everyone in the room.
• Sweaty, shaking hands don’t exactly inspire confidence. Get comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.
• During your next presentation, remember these 12 tips — they’ll come in handy regardless of your audience.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to hone your skills is to put them to use.

• The people you lead are your greatest asset — if you can motivate them to do good work, you’re on the right track.
• Mistakes — even embarrassing ones — are the best tools a leader has for improvement.

Finally, leadership development doesn’t stop once you get a job promotion or start a new business — so keep up with our latest leadership development content here.