What is a Leadership Development Plan?

The Leadership Development Plan, or LDP, is a roadmap that will guide the student through
consistent growth in four or more leadership skills and attributes. The LDP is the foundation to a
productive start in The Turner Leadership Academy. The following seven steps should not be
taken lightly. Similar to a road map, the LDP serves as the students guide throughout the entire
TLA !ourney.
"t is recommended that a table format be used for the LDP. The table should include three
columns# Leadership Skills and Attributes $identified through the Self Assessment% and &oal
column, a Specific 'echanism column to describe how the student plans to obtain each skill
and goal, and an Anticipated (utcome column to document how the student will benefit from the
e)perience.
How Do I Complete My Leadership Development Plan?
*nder the +esource section of this website there is a sample Leadership Development Plan. "t
will provide you with a framework for putting a LDP together. ,eel free to be creative in how you
wish to present your LDP but make sure it contains the three main foci#
Leadership Skill-&oal
Specific 'echanism
Anticipated (utcome.
Another consideration is the timeline. Think about when you intend to complete the various
components of your LDP. A sample timeline is found under +esources.
.ere are the seven steps you need to take to complete your LDP and the program.
Step 1: Analyze o!r S"ills and Attri#!tes
The Leadership Self Assessment is discussed above. This will assist you in thinking about the
various aspects of leadership, your strengths and areas for growth. ,rom this assessment, you
can identify the skills or attributes you wish to grow, develop your goals, and ways to accomplish
them.
Step $: %e&ine o!r Personal Intent Statement
+efer to the Statement of "ntent form that you submitted to enter into this program. /)amine
your response to the 0uestion on what you hope to gain by participating in the TLA. +efine your
response into a Personal Intent Statement that e)plains why you want to be in the program
and what you hope to gain from it. ,or e)ample, a statement might be#
I want to be in the TLA to gain more confidence in myself, to be a better team player, to
be a better communicator and to make a difference in the organizations to which I belong.
Step ': Development o& (oals
+efer back to the summary of your Leadership Sel& Assessment. Develop a goal for each of
the four leadership skills-attributes you would like to develop. +efer to the &oal Setting .andout
under +esources to assist you in developing your goals. They should be specific, measurable,
acceptable by you, realistic, and accomplishable by a specific time. The goals go in the first
column of your LDP.
Step ): Spe*i&i* Ways to %ea*h (oals
1ow that you have your goals, what activities will you do to achieve them2 *tili3e the resources
described in the drop down menu under Academy Details to determine what you will do to
achieve your goals. These leadership opportunities include# 1on45lassroom-Team /)periences,
'entoring Programs, 5ampus Activities, (ff45ampus 5ommunity /)periences, 5ollege of
Agriculture 6orkshops, 5ampus and (ff45ampus Leadership Programs and 6orkshops, and
Academic 5ourses. The activities you choose should link directly with your goals. These
activities should be placed in the LDP in the second column, aligned with each goal.
Step +: Anti*ipated ,!t*omes
6hat do you think will be the outcome from your participation in the proposed activity that will
help you improve the leadership skill and attribute2 Again, the activities you choose to do should
provide the mechanism to achieve your goals.
Step -: S!#mit LDP with Leadership Development Plan S!#mission .orm
After youve drafted your LDP, review it with your mentor. "t is also important that you review
your plan with other people in your life.
Set up a meeting with your mentor and come to the meeting prepared to discuss the following#
7our personal assessment results
7our latest draft of your LDP and reasons for choosing each development ob!ective
.ow your LDP ties into your Turner Leadership Academy effort and which skills you are
focusing on through your plan
7ou may have a couple of meetings with your mentor to discuss your LDP. The first one might
be to discuss the results of your assessment, your goals, and possible activities to meet your
goals. The second meeting might be to review the draft of your LDP.
After you have refined your LDP, complete the Leadership Development Plan Submission ,orm
and be prepared to go over it with your mentor. They will need to sign the form. Submit your
LDP and completed LDP Submission ,orm #y the d!e date to The Turner Leadership Academy
(ffice, located in the &arrigus 8uilding, +oom 9:;.
Step /: %eview and 0pdate the LDP
5onstant review of your LDP is key to successful development. "t is important to document this
review and update your Portfolio.
"t is important to monitor your progress and development through your Portfolio. This is for two
reasons#
To demonstrate to your mentor that you have successfully completed the LDP portion as well
as the portfolio portion of the re0uirement< and
To reflect on your progress and success in reali3ing the full potential of the LDP.
Participants 1ame ======================== 'entors 1ame=======================
A. Personal Leadership Development Statement of "ntent#
=============================================================================
========================================================================================================
8. The participants goals, based upon the S"ills and Attri#!tes from the four Leadership
Developmental Areas are#
Personal ==================================================================
"nterpersonal ===============================================================
&roup ====================================================================
5ommunity ================================================================
5. The activities proposed to meet the Certi&i*ate o& Completion %e1!irements are#
o Participate in the TLA Kick ff !etreat and !eception " ###########
o Participate in n$%ampus &ni'ersity !ecognized (roup )*periences+
================================ for goal ==============================
================================ for goal ==============================
o Participate in an ff$%ampus %ommunity (roup )*perience+
=============================== for goal==============================
o Participate in Leadership Programs and ,orkshops OR take ()- .// TLA 0eminar " ####
================================ for goal ==============================
================================ for goal ==============================
================================ for goal ==============================
================================ for goal ==============================
o %omplete 0i* %redit 1ours of Academic %ourse fferings+
================================ for goal ==============================
================================ for goal ==============================
D. Additional thoughts, suggestions, challenges, or concerns#
======================================================================
This Leadership Development Plan meets all of the re0uirements of the Turner Leadership Academy#
'entors Signature ============================ Date of +eview ===========
This form should be attached to the LDP and submitted by the due date to the Turner
Leadership Academy Office, Room 710, Garrius !uildin
Leadership Development Plan Submission ,orm