When you actively participate in something outside of your immediate zone of comfort, you're forced to interact with new and different people and situations. It may be a bit rocky at first, but you learn to communicate effectively with all different types of people in different situations and circumstances. You learn what it takes to keep a cool head and perform well even when things don't go your way. The ability to work well outside of an area of comfort is an essential characteristic of any good leader.
When you join an organization, especially a non-profit organization that advocates for some sort of positive change, you begin to see good things happening as a direct result of your actions and dedication. Because of this, you begin to take ownership in a cause bigger than yourself, and you believe in yourself and your own abilities to make the world a better place. This helps you become a more effective leader, because once you see that ability in yourself, you can see it and encourage it in other people as well. In fact, the Leadership Expert website suggests getting children involved in volunteer activities that involve giving back to the community so they can learn from a young age the rewards and satisfaction of working to make the lives of others better.
If you get involved in an extracurricular activity that reflects the field you want to work in or your area of study, it will help you refine your skills and knowledge, and in turn make you more confident in your area of expertise. For example, if you are a journalism student, writing for your school newspaper or doing an internship at your city's newspaper office is a great way to gain real-world practice and learn more about how the industry operates. This will also help you in your job search upon graduation. "Future employers seek individuals with these increased skill levels, making these involved students more viable in the job market," said StateUniversity.com.
One of the biggest challenges with being involved in extracurricular activities is how to balance it with your school work and other obligations. However, after you've been involved for awhile, you learn valuable time-management skills, among other things. According to StateUniversity.com, extracurricular activities also give you a place to learn effective conflict resolution, negotiation and setting an example for others to follow. Even though no one is perfect, an effective leader has taken the time to develop these characteristics and has a strong drive and work ethic attached to them.