Research Studies

Leadership skills linked to volunteerism

No author cited
Power Skills/Womens Way, May 2006

Available online

Leadership, communications skills and resource development – often termed "power skills" in a business setting – are linked to early experiences for women in community service and non-profit volunteer activities.

According to Power Skills research titled "How Volunteerism Shapes Professional Success," a study conducted for Womens Way, these and other critical business skills, like problem solving, coaching/mentoring and public speaking are developed and improved through volunteerism.

The online survey and personal interviews focused on 90 professional women in a leadership capacity and sought to determine when, how and why they participate in non-profit and community-based endeavors.

• 83 percent of participants reported that they acquired, improved or developed their leadership skills due to volunteer participation.
• Other "power skills" improvements the study found were: 62 percent enhanced problem-solving skills, 57 percent improved organization/multitasking and 53 percent enhanced marketing skills.
• At least 50 percent of participants have been involved in volunteer work for more than five years, and 22 percent for more than 10 years.

This study was spearheaded by Markitects, Inc., an independent marketing service and research firm, and sponsored by Comcast Foundation.