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Personal Leadership Development Plan: A Complete Guide with Examples & Free Template
- Astrid van Essen
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 21
In hindsight, I realise that early in my career I often tried to live up to other people’s expectations. I said yes to opportunities without really knowing what I wanted for myself. I don’t regret those choices; they taught me a lot, but many of them weren’t the right fit. What I was missing was a sense of direction.
That’s where a personal leadership development plan makes such a difference. Sitting down to reflect, map things out, and choose intentionally puts you back in control of your own (professional) destiny. For me, it became my north star— a guide I could return to whenever I felt pulled in too many directions.
With a clear plan, decisions will become easier, growth will feel intentional, and your leadership style will become more authentic. And I’ve seen the same pattern with clients: once they set their north star, everything else starts to fall into place.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide, along with a free downloadable template, to help you create your own personal leadership development plan.
What is a Personal Leadership Development Plan?
A personal leadership development plan is a practical roadmap for becoming the kind of leader you want to be.
Think of it as part strategy, part reflection:
It clarifies your strengths and blind spots.
It helps you set concrete leadership goals.
It breaks those goals down into action steps.
And it creates accountability through timelines and feedback.
It differs from a general personal development plan because it focuses on your leadership journey: how you inspire, guide, and influence others while staying true to your values.
Why You Need One in 2025
Workplaces are changing fast. AI is reshaping industries. Hybrid teams demand new ways of building trust. And expectations of leaders have shifted: it’s no longer about command-and-control, but about empathy, adaptability, and authenticity.
Without a plan, it’s easy to drift. With one, you gain:
Clarity: You know where you’re going.
Focus: You prioritise what really matters.
Confidence: You can see progress over time.
Credibility: Others recognise the consistency in how you show up.
For many of us, a personal leadership plan is also an antidote to imposter syndrome. Instead of wondering whether you’re “good enough,” you’re working with a roadmap that builds confidence step by step.
Key Components of a Strong Plan
Every good personal leadership development plan includes these elements:
Self-Assessment – Honest reflection on your strengths, weaknesses, and feedback from others.
Vision – The kind of leader you aspire to be (your guiding principle).
Goals – Clear objectives for skills, behaviours, and results.
Action Steps – Training, mentoring, stretch projects, or new habits.
Timeline – Milestones and review points.
Feedback Loops – Regular reflection and input from trusted peers or mentors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Plan
Step 1: Define Your Leadership Vision
Ask yourself: “What kind of leader do I want to be remembered as?” Write it down. This is your guiding north star.
Step 2: Identify Strengths and Gaps
Use feedback from colleagues, self-reflection, or tools like 360 reviews. Be specific: “Good at communication” is vague; “I give clear project updates” is actionable.
Step 3: Set SMART Goals
Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.Example: “Within six months, I will lead weekly team meetings to strengthen facilitation skills.”
Step 4: Map Out Actions
Courses or training
On-the-job opportunities
Mentoring or coaching
Reflection practices (journaling, feedback loops)
Step 5: Build Accountability
Add timelines and decide how you’ll check progress — monthly reviews, quarterly check-ins, or a peer accountability partner.
Personal Leadership Development Plan Examples
1. The New Manager
Vision: Become a confident, supportive team leader.
Goals: Improve delegation and feedback skills.
Actions: Attend a leadership training course; run retrospectives with the team.
2. The Entrepreneur
Vision: Lead with vision and resilience.
Goals: Sharpen decision-making under pressure.
Actions: Work with a business coach; practice scenario planning.
3. The HR Professional / Employer Branding Lead
Vision: Create an inclusive, values-driven workplace culture.
Goals: Strengthen influence with senior leadership.
Actions: Build a cross-departmental project team; share progress reports.
Free Download: Personal Leadership Development Plan Template
Ready to create your own? I’ve designed a simple, editable quick-start template in Google Docs that walks you through:
Self-assessment questions
Goal-setting prompts
Action plan structure
Timeline & accountability section
Tip: Save a new copy every 6–12 months to track your growth over time.
FAQs
1- What is a personal leadership development plan?
A roadmap that helps you define, develop, and measure your leadership growth.
2- How do I write one?
Start with your vision (north star), set SMART goals, outline actions, and track progress.
3- Is this different from a personal development plan?
Yes, while a personal development plan covers broad life/career skills, a leadership plan focuses specifically on how you lead others.
Conclusion: Leadership is a Journey
The best leaders I’ve met aren’t the ones with the loudest voices or the fanciest titles. They’re the ones with a clear purpose, who invest in their own growth, and who consistently show up.
A personal leadership development plan helps you do exactly that. Start with your north star, write it down, and take one step at a time.
👉 Don’t leave your leadership journey to chance. Download the free template and begin building the leader you want to become.
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