Articles / Why Take a Leadership Course? Benefits and Career Impact
Development, Training & CoachingDiscover why you should take a leadership course. Learn the career benefits, skill development, and ROI of investing in leadership education.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Sat 10th January 2026
Taking a leadership course delivers substantial career and financial benefits, with 42% of learners reporting compensation increases averaging $17,000 and 16% receiving bonuses averaging $14,000 after certification, whilst 94% of employees state they would stay longer with companies investing in their development—and research confirms that 'leaders are made, not born,' meaning leadership skills can be systematically developed through structured education regardless of starting point. The investment in leadership education pays dividends throughout your career.
Why should you take a leadership course? This question faces every professional considering whether to invest time and resources in formal leadership development. The evidence provides compelling answers: leadership courses accelerate career advancement, increase earning potential, build essential skills, and create networks that support ongoing professional growth. Understanding these benefits helps you make informed decisions about your development.
This guide examines why taking a leadership course matters, helping professionals understand the value proposition of structured leadership education.
How courses accelerate growth.
"According to a survey of HBS Online learners, 42 percent said their compensation increased by an average of $17,000 after earning their certificate. In addition, 16 percent received a bonus, with an average increase of $14,000."
Financial impact:
| Outcome | Percentage | Average Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation increase | 42% | $17,000 |
| Bonus received | 16% | $14,000 |
"Early- or mid-career professionals who are currently working as individual contributors or specialists within their department or organization stand to benefit from completing leadership training. By taking a leadership course and proactively developing your leadership skills, you're priming yourself to be ready when the opportunity arises to make a change."
Preparation benefits:
"Pursuing leadership skills training earlier on in your career provides a strong foundation, helping you develop core elements of how you lead."
Early investment advantages:
What courses teach.
"A leadership program is a structured educational initiative designed to enhance individuals' leadership skills and qualities. It goes beyond traditional management training, focusing on fostering attributes like effective communication, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability."
Skill focus areas:
"Leadership training creates an opportunity for employees to reach new heights and achieve set goals. Performance is enhanced as employees strive to develop their skills through the invested training."
Performance gains:
"Leadership training can result in better decision-making, because leaders functioning at a high level of emotional intelligence have the perspective to make informed, intelligent business decisions."
Decision benefits:
Why organisations value development.
"Up to 94 percent of employees state they would stay with a company longer if it invested in helping them learn and grow professionally."
Retention impact:
"Nurturing future leaders supports succession planning and offers career pathways to employees, further increasing retention."
Succession benefits:
Employers value leadership development:
Employer perspective:
Evidence for development value.
"As Harvard Business School Professor Ethan Bernstein notes: 'The research is clear: Leaders are made, not born.'"
Development implications:
Formal programmes provide:
Programme advantages:
Research shows development benefits:
Long-term outcomes:
Building professional connections.
"Building a strong network through leadership programs can significantly expand students' professional circles and open doors to new possibilities."
Network benefits:
Cohort programmes enable:
Peer advantages:
Programme completion provides:
Alumni benefits:
For business builders.
"If your ultimate career goal is to be a successful entrepreneur, developing your leadership skills is an essential piece of the puzzle, and can help you gain the skills necessary for building and managing high-performing teams."
Entrepreneur benefits:
Leadership courses develop:
Founder skills:
Leadership skills enable:
Growth capabilities:
Timing your investment.
Starting early provides:
Early timing advantages:
Mid-career professionals benefit from:
Mid-career focus:
Even experienced leaders gain:
Senior benefits:
Selection guidance.
Options include:
Programme categories:
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Short courses | Focused, time-efficient |
| Certificate programmes | Structured, credentialed |
| Executive education | University-based, intensive |
| Online programmes | Flexible, accessible |
| In-company programmes | Contextualised, applied |
Evaluate programmes on:
Evaluation factors:
Weigh factors including:
Investment analysis:
Take a leadership course because it accelerates career advancement, increases earning potential, and builds essential skills. 42% of learners report $17,000 average compensation increases after certification. Research confirms leaders are made, not born, meaning you can systematically develop leadership capabilities through structured education.
Leadership courses develop effective communication, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, decision-making, and change leadership skills. They go beyond traditional management training to build core leadership qualities applicable across roles, industries, and career stages.
Yes, leadership courses prepare you for promotion by developing required skills, building credentials, and demonstrating commitment to growth. By proactively developing leadership skills, you're ready when advancement opportunities arise. 42% of course completers see compensation increases.
Early career provides the longest benefit period and strongest foundation, but leadership courses benefit professionals at any stage. Mid-career professionals gain skill refreshment and transition support. Even senior leaders benefit from fresh perspectives and continuous development.
Leadership courses benefit employers through improved performance, better retention (94% of employees stay longer when invested in), succession planning support, and enhanced organisational capability. Training combined with coaching increases productivity by 88%.
Yes, leadership courses deliver measurable returns. Average compensation increases of $17,000 and bonuses of $14,000 demonstrate financial ROI. Beyond finances, courses build skills, networks, credentials, and confidence that compound throughout your career.
Choose leadership courses based on learning objective alignment, faculty quality, peer cohort value, practical application opportunities, and credential recognition. Consider programme type (short course, certificate, executive education), time commitment, cost, and career stage appropriateness.