Five ways to forge ahead as a young leader

The path for a young leader could be strewn with multiple pitfalls, but awareness and the right approach are the key to success.

Stay Grounded

A major challenge in a young leader's career path is keeping his or her feet firmly on the ground. "A young leader should never let success get into his head," says Dhruv K Desai, senior vice president and head, human resources and leadership academy, Angel Broking.

Get Good Mentors

"Young leaders must build strong professional networks but also sounding boards or a coterie of like-minded people outside the workplace to discuss and share ideas on professional issues," says Desai. Also, it is crucial to diversify the sources of mentoring, says Meena Wilson, interim managing director, Asia Pacific, Centre for Creative Leadership.

Communicate Well

As the world gets increasingly globalised and interconnected, knowledge of the right way to communicate in different cultural and linguistic contexts is crucial for a young leader, who otherwise runs the risk of being misconstrued and misinterpreted, says Wilson.

Take Risks

"Don't be over-safe. Take risks early in your career. Expose yourself to multiple opportunities to know your true strengths and passions," says Wilson.

Know your Subject

"Young leaders need to build subject-matter expertise in a particular domain or in the industry," says Desai.