Many believe that leaders are born with their take-charge abilities. But developing leadership skills is a process that anyone can undertake.

1. Authenticity. Be the best version of yourself—competent, trustworthy, inspiring, and a good communicator. One way to work on this attribute is to ask peers for feedback on your job performance.
2. Curiosity. Imagine the future and look at situations from the angles of different stakeholders. To become more curious, be open to new experiences and ask yourself, “what could we be doing?”
3. Creativity. Leaders don’t have to come up with all the great ideas—they create environments that nurture creativity in others. Welcome varying opinions—you’re more likely to get interesting results when different viewpoints collide.
4. Resilience. This trait requires leaders to recognize the fluid nature of situations and see alternate paths when the team or project is getting off course. To build resilience, try taking on projects where the odds of success are against you.
5. Empathy. Leaders need to understand and connect with team members to build a supportive environment. Seek out others with different backgrounds and learn about their perspectives. Ask team members about their work preferences, the pressures they’re under, and their strengths and weaknesses.

For more advice, read “8 Essential Qualities of Successful Leaders.”