9 answers
Fathimath
Student
4
Questions
Updated
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As a 9th grader, how can I practice making tough decisions and leading a team if I'm not in the student council?
i want to improve my leadership skills
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8 answers
Maria Rehmet
Architect
26
Answers
Plano, Texas
Updated
Maria’s Answer
Hi Fathimath!
You have opportunities everywhere to be a leader, not just student council. Join a club at your school and get involved in the committee, volunteer to lead group projects and help organize your team, participate in a sport and even go for team captain! Become a tutor and teach others in a caring way or organize a volunteer event at your school/in your community. Leadership is something you choose in your everyday life, it starts with the small things and prepares you for the big moments.
Good luck!
You have opportunities everywhere to be a leader, not just student council. Join a club at your school and get involved in the committee, volunteer to lead group projects and help organize your team, participate in a sport and even go for team captain! Become a tutor and teach others in a caring way or organize a volunteer event at your school/in your community. Leadership is something you choose in your everyday life, it starts with the small things and prepares you for the big moments.
Good luck!
Maria Alexander
UX Content Designer
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Maria’s Answer
Hello Fathimath!
The first step to being a good leader is being a good member of a team. Join a sports team, a chess club team, any kind of team to learn what it means to collaborate with other people. You'll learn a lot about how teams operate. As your knowledge grows, then look for opportunities to lead, and those don't have to be at school. They can be at church, clubs, volunteer organizations, and more. Find someone who can mentor you, too, and answer questions. Leadership is about developing relationships more than anything. You can work on that, too, without being on student council.
Good luck!
Maria
The first step to being a good leader is being a good member of a team. Join a sports team, a chess club team, any kind of team to learn what it means to collaborate with other people. You'll learn a lot about how teams operate. As your knowledge grows, then look for opportunities to lead, and those don't have to be at school. They can be at church, clubs, volunteer organizations, and more. Find someone who can mentor you, too, and answer questions. Leadership is about developing relationships more than anything. You can work on that, too, without being on student council.
Good luck!
Maria
Roy Potvin
Product Manager
9
Answers
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Updated
Roy’s Answer
Hi Fathimath, First congrats 9th grade, that's awesome you have a great life ahead of you.
Keep in mind that in 9th grade what was of interest might change.
BUT, there are ton's of ways to learn those skills, many of the responses already talk to it.
Get involved, Church, Sports, look for volunteering opportunities. AND always learn from the best. Look around, read, do some research and see who are the best at this type of activity and learn from them. You may not like them or what they do, but you can still learn by oberservation AND always stand up and take something on that is OUT SIDE your comfort zone. I've found that one of the ways I learn best is by DOING, failing, getting back up and then try my best to not fail like that again. They do have Erasers on pencils for a reason, it's OK. Showing my age a little with pencils, etc. Just for the fact that your even asking this sort of question tells me you have a lot going for you. Good luck.
Keep in mind that in 9th grade what was of interest might change.
BUT, there are ton's of ways to learn those skills, many of the responses already talk to it.
Get involved, Church, Sports, look for volunteering opportunities. AND always learn from the best. Look around, read, do some research and see who are the best at this type of activity and learn from them. You may not like them or what they do, but you can still learn by oberservation AND always stand up and take something on that is OUT SIDE your comfort zone. I've found that one of the ways I learn best is by DOING, failing, getting back up and then try my best to not fail like that again. They do have Erasers on pencils for a reason, it's OK. Showing my age a little with pencils, etc. Just for the fact that your even asking this sort of question tells me you have a lot going for you. Good luck.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
818
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I agree with the other post. There are so many opportunities that exist to get leadership experience. I think you were asking the right question and I hope one of the following suggestions will help:
Volunteer In Your Community
Run For Council
Join a student run organization
Start a student run organization
Take a leadership class
Jerome recommends the following next steps:
Alexandra Grashkina-Hristov
International Tax Professional
188
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Hi Fathimah! This is a great question. Even if you're not on the student council, there are plenty of ways to practice making tough decisions and developing your leadership skills as a 9th grader. Here are some ideas:
Join or start a club: Being part of a club or starting one allows you to take on responsibilities, plan activities, and make decisions that affect the group.
Lead group projects: Volunteer to be the leader during class projects. This helps you practice organizing tasks, managing different opinions, and meeting deadlines.
Participate in sports or arts teams: These often require teamwork and leadership, whether it's as a captain or simply encouraging and motivating your teammates.
Volunteer for community service: Helping organize events or coordinating with others can give you experience in decision-making and leadership outside school.
Practice decision-making in everyday situations: Even small decisions, like planning a study group or resolving conflicts among friends, build your confidence and skills.
Give yourself credit about decisions you make and don't forget that leadership is about responsibility, not just titles. Taking initiative and being proactive in any activity is a great way to grow as a leader!
Join or start a club: Being part of a club or starting one allows you to take on responsibilities, plan activities, and make decisions that affect the group.
Lead group projects: Volunteer to be the leader during class projects. This helps you practice organizing tasks, managing different opinions, and meeting deadlines.
Participate in sports or arts teams: These often require teamwork and leadership, whether it's as a captain or simply encouraging and motivating your teammates.
Volunteer for community service: Helping organize events or coordinating with others can give you experience in decision-making and leadership outside school.
Practice decision-making in everyday situations: Even small decisions, like planning a study group or resolving conflicts among friends, build your confidence and skills.
Give yourself credit about decisions you make and don't forget that leadership is about responsibility, not just titles. Taking initiative and being proactive in any activity is a great way to grow as a leader!
Morgan Adams
Healthcare Administration
27
Answers
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
As a 9th grader, you can build leadership skills without being in student council by practicing decision-making and responsibility in everyday situations. Take initiative during group projects, help resolve conflicts fairly, and set personal goals to strengthen self-discipline. Get involved in clubs, sports, or volunteer activities where you can support and encourage others, mentor younger students, or help organize small projects. Speaking up with ideas, asking for feedback from teachers or coaches, and learning from leaders you admire will help you grow confident and capable, showing that leadership is about initiative and trust, not titles.
Rick Kneisley
Retired Investment Broker and Investment Sales Manager
33
Answers
Georgetown, Texas
Updated
Rick’s Answer
Fathimath,
This is a thoughtful question, and I’ll answer it by sharing a bit of my own business journey, from being managed by others to eventually becoming the one doing the managing.
As I’ve shared many times here on Career Village, my life experience led me to a belief I hold strongly: everyone is brilliant at something. The challenge isn’t talent, it’s recognizing that truth early and then actively searching for where your own brilliance lives.
After a lot of trial and error, I discovered that sales was my greatest professional strength. I loved working with people who genuinely needed my company’s services. But being in sales also meant always reporting to a manager. That experience taught me a great deal, sometimes the hard way.
Let me start with what not to do.
The worst managers I ever worked for led with anger. They belittled people in group meetings and used public criticism as motivation. The result was always the same: morale dropped quickly, trust disappeared, and motivation vanished.
From that, I learned an important leadership lesson: never punish a group for the struggles of a few. Real leadership focuses on what’s working and helps those who are struggling privately, with respect.
When I later became a manager myself, I handled things differently. If someone on my team was working hard but not getting results, I didn’t call them into my office. That alone sends a frightening message. Instead, I went to their office and sat down with them.
I always started by acknowledging what they were doing well. That mattered. It set a positive tone. Then we talked honestly about what wasn’t working, and together we looked for solutions. The goal wasn’t fear, it was growth. That, to me, is leadership with respect.
Now to your specific question:
“How, as a 9th grader, can I practice making tough decisions and lead a team if I’m not in student council?”
“I want to improve my leadership skills.”
Here’s the truth: leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with how you treat people.
One of the most powerful leadership tools I ever learned was surprisingly simple, it was respect. I treated everyone with respect, even people I didn’t personally like. Why? Because leadership requires people to want to follow you, not fear you.
And one of the best ways to earn respect is through genuine, thoughtful compliments, given privately or in small moments, not loudly or all at once. Compliments are one of the most powerful human motivators when used sincerely.
So, here’s my advice to you, Fathimath:
Start your leadership journey now. Treat all students with respect, including the bullies and those who ignore you because you’re not in their social circle. Begin offering sincere compliments when you see effort or kindness. Do it calmly. Spread it out over time.
Leadership isn’t about being elected. It’s about being trusted. And trust is built long before anyone hands you a title.
Rick
This is a thoughtful question, and I’ll answer it by sharing a bit of my own business journey, from being managed by others to eventually becoming the one doing the managing.
As I’ve shared many times here on Career Village, my life experience led me to a belief I hold strongly: everyone is brilliant at something. The challenge isn’t talent, it’s recognizing that truth early and then actively searching for where your own brilliance lives.
After a lot of trial and error, I discovered that sales was my greatest professional strength. I loved working with people who genuinely needed my company’s services. But being in sales also meant always reporting to a manager. That experience taught me a great deal, sometimes the hard way.
Let me start with what not to do.
The worst managers I ever worked for led with anger. They belittled people in group meetings and used public criticism as motivation. The result was always the same: morale dropped quickly, trust disappeared, and motivation vanished.
From that, I learned an important leadership lesson: never punish a group for the struggles of a few. Real leadership focuses on what’s working and helps those who are struggling privately, with respect.
When I later became a manager myself, I handled things differently. If someone on my team was working hard but not getting results, I didn’t call them into my office. That alone sends a frightening message. Instead, I went to their office and sat down with them.
I always started by acknowledging what they were doing well. That mattered. It set a positive tone. Then we talked honestly about what wasn’t working, and together we looked for solutions. The goal wasn’t fear, it was growth. That, to me, is leadership with respect.
Now to your specific question:
“How, as a 9th grader, can I practice making tough decisions and lead a team if I’m not in student council?”
“I want to improve my leadership skills.”
Here’s the truth: leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with how you treat people.
One of the most powerful leadership tools I ever learned was surprisingly simple, it was respect. I treated everyone with respect, even people I didn’t personally like. Why? Because leadership requires people to want to follow you, not fear you.
And one of the best ways to earn respect is through genuine, thoughtful compliments, given privately or in small moments, not loudly or all at once. Compliments are one of the most powerful human motivators when used sincerely.
So, here’s my advice to you, Fathimath:
Start your leadership journey now. Treat all students with respect, including the bullies and those who ignore you because you’re not in their social circle. Begin offering sincere compliments when you see effort or kindness. Do it calmly. Spread it out over time.
Leadership isn’t about being elected. It’s about being trusted. And trust is built long before anyone hands you a title.
Rick
Anthony Kofi Hene-Amoah
Translation, Editing, Project Management, Research and Evangelism
203
Answers
Jema, Brong Ahafo Region
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Please, note the following, relating to how you can make tough decisions:-
1. Consider the type of decision.
2. Consider the relevance or importance of the decision.
3. The time or period you make the decision is very important.
4. Determine that the decision is not the one that can hurt anybody.
Best regards.
1. Consider the type of decision.
2. Consider the relevance or importance of the decision.
3. The time or period you make the decision is very important.
4. Determine that the decision is not the one that can hurt anybody.
Best regards.