The Leadership Development Badge is a customizable experience for developing leadership competencies through leadership education and training, co-curricular involvement, and self-reflection.
Students will explore topics such as personal values, leadership identity, goal setting, and leadership skill development. This is a great program for students hoping to learn about leadership broadly alongside their peers or for those who might already be familiar with leadership and want to connect with others to discuss these topics more in-depth.
The program culminates with the creation of a leadership development plan documenting your growth as a leader.
Any WashU undergraduate student can participate and receive this credential.
Why Earn the Leadership Badge
- Build essential leadership qualities such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and more!
- Gain valuable skills that will make you marketable to future employers
- Develop greater self-awareness and confidence in your abilities
- Become better prepared to take on leadership roles here at WashU
To earn your leadership badge, complete the following requirements
- Attend 3 Leadership workshops (1 hour each)
- Participate in 3 Coaching one one-on-one sessions
- Complete an Experiential Learning Pathway (Either RED or GREEN)
students who complete the badge will receive
- LinkedIn Leadership Development Badge
- Bauer Leaders Academy Graduation Cord
- Invitation to the Spring Excellence in Leadership Award ceremony
- Certificate of Completion
- Leadership 101: Essentials for Success: In this engaging workshop, participants will be introduced to foundational leadership theories and practical approaches to effective leadership. The session will guide students through a reflective process to explore their personal goals as leaders and will gain valuable insights into shaping their own unique leadership identity. This workshop encourages self-awareness and growth, empowering participants to build a strong foundation for leading with intention and authenticity.
- Personal Branding and Storytelling: Learn more about how to build your personal brand online, in person, and through your leadership practice. During this session you will develop your personal brand to create an elevator pitch and learn how to engage and network with others.
- The Art of Networking: Students will learn how to craft effective talking points, apply skills and techniques to start conversations with confidence in interviews and at networking events. Learn how to connect with others and promote your experiences in a way that is unique and memorable.
- Introduction to Strengths (Online Module): This module introduces students to the CliftonStrengths framework and guides them through how to understand their Top 5 report and focus on gaining a basic understanding on one’s own theme talents. At the conclusion of this session students will be able to identify ways in which their signature themes relate to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and describe which themes they rely on most frequently.
- Leadership Coaching: Self Exploration and Leadership Style
- Students who participate will gain a deeper understanding of personal leadership philosophy, values, and how those align to contribute to their individual success
- Strengths Coaching: Understanding your Top 5
- Students who participate will receive their Top 5 report and begin to Name their Top 5 Strengths. This session will focus on gaining a basic understanding on one’s own theme talents. At the conclusion of this session students will be able to identify ways in which your signature themes relate to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and begin to identify which themes they rely on most frequently.
- Strengths Coaching: Career Exploration
- Students who participate will explore how to apply their Strengths to networking and job related experiences. Consider how to describe your skills and attributes to potential employers and utilize those Strengths in networking experiences.
- Prerequisite: To participate in this session, you must have attended either an Introduction to Strengths Workshop or Strengths Coaching: Understand Your Top 5 session.
- Pathway RED Participation in one of the initiatives below (during the 24-25 academic year) would account for the completion of the Experiential Learning Component.
- Resident Assistant
- WashU Student Ambassador
- Campus Leadership Executive Board Member: CS-40, Student Union, Fraternity and Sorority Life
- St. Louis Fellow
- Gephardt Civic Scholar
- SPARK Sustainability Program
- Pathway GREEN Participants must engage in three of the programs listed below to complete the Experiential Learning Component
- Student Organization Executive Board (24-25- 1 semester)
- Bauer Leaders Academy Escape Room
- Leadership Week: The Leaders Cup (Fall 2024)
- Submit a Strengths Theme Testimonial
- Bauer Leaders Academy Etiquette Dinner
Don’t see your initiative listed?? If you are a part of a leadership program, class, or internship that you would like to be considered as a Pathway please let us know!