What Can You Do With a Leadership Degree?

Transformational leaders guide organizations through change, manage teams effectively, and deliver on organizational goals. Earning a leadership degree helps professionals develop the skills they need to take on leadership responsibilities.

Prospective graduate students have options such as a master’s degree in business administration, management, or public administration. What’s the benefit of earning a leadership degree? With its emphasis on organizational behavior and leadership principles, a Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership program is designed to prepare current and future leaders for people-driven management roles.

What Is a Master’s Degree in Leadership?

A master’s degree in leadership program trains students to lead organizations by employing effective and ethical principles. Students learn how to adapt to changing business conditions, understand organizational dynamics, and implement strategic plans. They also develop people-focused leadership skills, with an emphasis on employee development, management, and engagement.

Coursework in a leadership degree program covers business, human resources, psychology, and management topics. While enrolled in a graduate-level leadership program, students explore organizational leadership theories and learn how to apply these theories in practice.

Rather than emphasizing a particular industry or career path, a leadership degree program is intended to develop transferable skills that apply across industries and roles.

What Will You Learn in a Master’s in Leadership Program?

The curriculum for a master’s in leadership program includes coursework in strategic human resources management, nonprofit leadership, and organizational change management.

Students in a master’s in leadership program develop key skills in areas that include:

• Strategic planning: Management roles require professionals with strong strategic decision-making skills in order for them to excel as leaders. Master’s in leadership students build their problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and risk assessment skills to identify patterns and develop proactive responses.
• People management: Leaders need people management skills to attract and retain talent, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive work culture. Students in a leadership master’s program explore mentorship, motivation, and interpersonal communication while developing the skills needed to prioritize human needs.
• Communication: Successful leaders draw on their communication skills to promote a positive workplace culture, understand stakeholders’ interests, and manage teams. Master’s in leadership programs enable professionals to cultivate effective communication skills through an emphasis on emotional intelligence, understanding their audience, and honing their communication styles.
• Ethical leadership: Students explore the connections between ethics, organizational responsibility, and core values to develop ethical leadership skills. They study traits of ethical leaders, the role of transparency and accountability, and tactics for implementing value-driven policies.

Master’s in leadership students also learn how to critically evaluate programs, create action plans, and allocate resources. By studying organizational behavior, management principles, and team leadership theories, students prepare for decision-making roles in any type of organization.

Benefits of Earning a Master’s in Leadership

Leadership master’s programs focus on team dynamics, collaboration, and change management. This emphasis on people-driven management can benefit professionals in any industry.

Other benefits of earning a master’s in leadership include:

• Nonprofit leadership preparation: A master’s degree program in leadership enables individuals to hone the strategic, change management, and communication skills needed for top roles in nonprofit organizations.
• Career advancement: Leadership programs focus on helping professionals build valuable skills that can lead to their career advancement. With a master’s in leadership, professionals can move into management roles in their current field or transition into a new field.
• Earning potential: Many of the positions professionals pursue with a leadership degree offer high salaries, including human resources manager, training and development manager, project manager, operations manager, healthcare services manager, sales manager, management analyst positions, and even executive roles like VP, director, and more.

According to a 2025 World Economic Forum survey of employers, the skills most often requested of today’s candidates are analytical thinking, leadership, social influence, and creative thinking skills.

Careers With a Master’s in Leadership Degree

What can you do with a leadership degree? Earning a master’s in leadership positions professionals for advanced roles in human resources, operations, or administration. Graduates also can advance in their career in an area such as marketing, sales, or finance.

Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit executive directors hold the top role in their organization. They oversee daily operations, manage finances, and set long-term goals for the nonprofit. Executive directors work closely with staff and the executive board.

These roles require strategic planning and leadership skills, which a master’s in leadership program can help individuals strengthen. Nonprofit executive directors have a median annual salary of around $83,000, according to May 2026 Payscale data.

Healthcare Services Manager

Healthcare services managers, including hospital administrators, practice managers, and nursing home administrators, train and supervise administrative staff in healthcare organizations. They also oversee human resources, development, and operations efforts in the healthcare industry.

In addition to specialized knowledge of the healthcare field, these managers benefit from strong people management skills. Healthcare services managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Executive Roles

Executives manage strategic plans and policies in the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors. They implement organizational procedures that align with overall goals, manage daily operations, and identify opportunities to improve performance.

At the executive level, professionals apply their leadership skills as chief executive officers (CEOs), general managers, mayors, school superintendents, and city managers. Executives reported a median annual salary of $105,350, while CEOs have a median annual salary of $206,420, according to BLS data from May 2024.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers lead recruitment, benefits, and employee retention programs for their organization. They also help mediate employee disputes and staffing issues. In addition to supervising HR employees, HR managers work with executives on strategic planning initiatives.

A master’s in leadership program allows professionals to build the planning and management skills needed for leadership roles in HR. HR managers have a median annual salary of $140,030, according to May 2024 BLS data.

Training and Development Manager

Organizations rely on training and development managers to oversee their workforce development initiatives. These HR professionals conduct assessments, determine the organization’s workforce goals, and develop training programs to meet those goals. They also evaluate the training programs to determine their effectiveness.

A leadership degree program helps aspiring training and development managers develop the strategic planning and program evaluation skills required for the role. Training and development managers have a median annual salary of $127,090 as of May 2024, according to BLS data.

Management Analyst

Management analysts and management consultants evaluate an organization’s processes and policies to recommend improvements. They analyze organizational data, interview employees, and identify problems. Management analysts then recommend solutions, such as organizational changes or new policies.

A leadership degree program enables professionals to build the analytical and management skills needed for these roles. Management analysts have a median annual salary of $101,190 as of 2024, according to BLS data.

Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee an organization’s day-to-day operations, including the allocation of human resources. Also known as general managers or operations directors, these managers supervise projects, staff, and budgets. Operations managers evaluate performance indicators to determine the effectiveness of the organization’s strategies and implement improvements.

A master’s in leadership program helps individuals cultivate the organizational management skills required for operations manager and other top executive roles, such as operations director or chief executive officer positions. Operations managers had a median annual salary of $102,950 as of May 2024, according to BLS data.

Earn a Master’s in Leadership at Belmont Abbey College

Graduate-level leadership degree programs are designed to enable students to build the theoretical and practical tools they need to lead organizations. The fully online MA in Leadership program at Belmont Abbey College focuses on the skills required for transformational leadership roles.

A top-ranked Catholic college located outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, Belmont Abbey College has a reputation for excellence. The leadership master’s program emphasizes values-based leadership, organizational change management, and innovation. Students enrolled in the program analyze real-life business scenarios to develop the analytical and leadership skills needed to drive organizational growth.

Learn how the master’s in leadership program can help you advance in your career.

 

Recommended Readings

Servant Leadership vs. Transformational Leadership: Key Differences
How to Make Your Organization a Data-Driven Organization
How to Successfully Lead Through Change

Sources:

IMD, “The 8 Key Leadership Skills You Need to Know in 2026”
Indeed, “Master’s in Organizational Leadership vs. MBA: What’s the Difference?”
Payscale, Average Executive Director, Non-Profit Organization Salary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Management Analysts
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Top Executives
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Managers
World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2025”

Servant Leadership vs. Transformational Leadership: How Great Leaders Empower and Inspire

Leaders shape their employees’ and their organization’s performance, whether they work for a large corporation or a small business. Each leader has their own style and personality, which influences how they guide their teams. While there are many leadership styles, two common ones are servant leadership and transformational leadership. Both of these approaches focus more on collaboration and support rather than on a strict top-down structure.

A comparison of servant leadership and transformational leadership reveals differences and similarities between the two, with research pointing to the key benefits for each:

• A study published in Scientific Reports found that servant leaders encourage their staff to innovate and enable them to feel psychologically empowered.
• Research published in Current Psychology found that transformational leaders help organizations handle challenges, spot problems early, bounce back from setbacks, and boost employees’ motivation and team growth.

By comparing servant leadership and transformational leadership, current and future leaders can determine which one fits their goals best. Earning a Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership is an excellent way for professionals to learn how to lead ethically and effectively, and how to use both servant and transformational leadership.

What Is Servant Leadership?

Servant leaders focus on the growth of individuals and teams and bring shared authority to the forefront. They do this by prioritizing the needs of their teams and concentrating on team members’ well-being and development. This approach can often lead to a stronger culture, higher team morale, and more engaged employees.

Servant leaders often are concerned with:

• Strengthening relationships among team members and helping teams and individuals feel appreciated
• Valuing individuals over products or immediate business goals
• Trusting team members to act in ways that serve the organization
• Emphasizing simplicity and humanity in the workplace

Servant Leadership Traits

Common traits servant leaders share include listening skills, empathy, awareness, and big-picture thinking. They are also committed to collaboration, the personal and professional growth of their team members, and community building. These qualities can appear in their daily work in the following ways:

• Listening attentively and allowing everyone to be heard
• Demonstrating empathy and care for people beyond their work output
• Respectfully resolving conflicts and providing the resources a team needs to succeed
• Using persuasion and consensus-building instead of dictating
• Helping the team see how their duties align with the organization’s long-term goals
• Creating opportunities for professional development

Servant Leadership Examples

Servant leaders can encourage employees to be more innovative by creating an environment where people feel safe trying new ideas, according to a study in Scientific Reports. Another study, in the Academy of Management Proceedings, showed that servant leaders can help their team members rely less on their leader and individuals feel more authentic.

Examples of servant leaders in the workplace include:

• A sales supervisor leading by example by working in the trenches with a struggling team
• A call center manager promoting collaboration and gathering ideas through regular meetings
• A medical office supervisor prioritizing patients’ needs while supporting employees’ health through a wellness program

What Is Transformational Leadership?

Transformational leaders, like servant leaders, want to empower their team members. Instead of giving orders from above, they promote a shared vision and aim to create real, positive change.

Transformational leadership differs from transactional leadership, which uses rewards and penalties and relies on close supervision and monitoring of employees. Instead, transformational leaders focus on:

• Giving employees a strong sense of purpose and inspiring them to care about the organization’s goals
• Recognizing each employee’s individual needs, most effective mentoring style, and contributions
• Providing coaching and guidance while empowering individuals to own their work

Transformational Leadership Traits

Transformational leaders are often described by four main behaviors: being a role model, encouraging new ideas, motivating others, and treating each person as an individual. These qualities show up in their work in the following ways:

• Setting a positive example for their employees to follow
• Challenging old ideas to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
• Promoting an ethical atmosphere through clear values, authenticity, collaboration, and open communication

Transformational Leadership Examples

According to a Russell Reynolds Associates report, 79% of leaders think transformation is very important to their organization’s long-term growth and stability, yet only 29% say their organization is very successful at it. Transformational leaders can help teams work toward a common goal amid change.

Examples of transformational leaders in the workplace include:

• A department head setting a good example by holding themselves to the same standards they expect of their team members
• A project leader encouraging their team to challenge assumptions and find creative solutions to setbacks
• A manager connecting employees’ daily work to a shared vision, fostering the employees’ commitment to the organization’s overall mission

Servant Leadership vs. Transformational Leadership: Similarities and Differences

Individuals investigating servant leadership vs. transformational leadership often find that these two styles have a lot in common, though they do have some differences as well.

Similarities

Both servant leaders and transformational leaders would rather promote authenticity, ethical standards, and open communication than manage through fear-based, top-down control. They both also foster individual development and prioritize staff growth through personalized investment, including coaching and mentorship. Servant leaders and transformational leaders are often flexible when leading as well, which creates an atmosphere of enhanced team engagement.

Differences

The main differences between servant leaders and transformational leaders lie primarily in what they each choose to focus on. Servant leaders prioritize individuals’ well-being and growth, sometimes even more than the organization’s goals. Transformational leaders are more concerned with encouraging a shared vision that will drive change and commitment. Additionally, servant leaders tend to concentrate on what the team needs, while transformational leaders think about the organization’s direction and how to inspire the team to move in alignment with it.

Comparing servant leadership vs. transformational leadership reveals there are key benefits to each style, which apply in any industry. For example, a study in BMJ Leader examined both styles among physicians and found that each offered benefits specific to burnout but in different ways. The study revealed that the most influential factor for servant leaders was that they helped team members find meaning in their work. Transformational leaders, by acting on their ideals and leading by example, more often were able to mitigate burnout-related issues instead.

Prepare to Become a Leader

Every organization is different, and each organization’s culture plays a key role in determining which leadership approach to use. However, it’s also common for good leaders to use both servant leadership and transformational leadership to guide their teams.

Drawing on the ideas behind servant leadership and transformational leadership, Belmont Abbey College’s fully online MA in Leadership program helps students learn to lead ethically and effectively across many fields. The program includes courses such as Leading in a Data-Driven Organization, Organizational Change Management, and Leadership and Innovation. These classes provide students with a deep understanding of leadership theory and practice, preparing them to succeed as strong, respected leaders in any industry.

If you’re interested in building your leadership skills, explore Belmont Abbey’s MA in Leadership program today.

Recommended Readings

How to Make Your Organization a Data-Driven Organization
How to Successfully Lead Through Change
What Can You Do With a Leadership Degree?

Sources:

Academy of Management Proceedings, “The Two Faces of Servant Leadership: Independency and Authenticity”
BMJ Leader, “Physician Burn-Out, Transformational and Servant Leadership”
CIO, “What Is Transformational Leadership? A Model for Motivating Innovation”
Current Psychology, “Transformational Leadership, Dual Innovation, and Organizational Resilience”
Indeed, “What Is Servant Leadership? (With Examples)”
Investopedia, “Servant Leadership: Characteristics, Pros and Cons, Example”
Russell Reynolds Associates, “Transformational Leadership Study”
Scientific Reports, “Effect of Servant Leadership on Employees’ Innovative Behavior With the Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment and Moderating Role of Core Self-Evaluation”
Scientific Reports, “How and When Servant Leadership Affect Public Employees’ Innovative Behavior”
Verywell Mind, “How Transformational Leadership Can Inspire Others”

Key Traits of Effective Nonprofit Leadership

Nonprofit leaders hold many titles. There are executive directors, presidents, board members, and chief executives, all of whom oversee a nonprofit’s general strategy and operations. Then, there are the more specialized leaders: philanthropy directors, development officers, and managers of everything from communications to human resources.

These titles are similar to those found in the private sector, but the jobs of nonprofit and for-profit leaders are not entirely identical. In nonprofit leadership, the goal isn’t to drive sales and outpace the competition. The goal is to do the most good for the most people.

Because of this difference, nonprofit leaders need skills beyond practical business acumen. For those planning a career in nonprofit leadership, here are five key skills to hone and a guide to making that happen by gaining experience and pursuing a degree focused on values-based leadership.

6 Nonprofit Leadership Skills and Traits

Much like their counterparts in the private sector, nonprofit leaders must be organized, attentive to details, and able to think critically about multifaceted problems. However, the unique legal, financial, and ethical environments nonprofits operate in require some additional competencies.

1. Legal Knowledge

In most jurisdictions, nonprofits must stay in compliance with laws governing their transparency, fundraising activities, and use of funds. Violating these laws can lead to fines or the loss of the organization’s nonprofit status. Whether a leader is directly in charge of legal matters or not, they need to have knowledge about the state and federal regulations that apply to their organization in order for them to be able to effectively oversee their organization’s planning and governance.

2. Communication and Cooperation Capabilities

Communication plays a key role in nonprofit and for-profit operations alike. In the nonprofit sector, leaders must be able to not only communicate with others in their organization but also foster relationships with professionals in similar organizations that can help them in their mission. This way, an organization can maximize their impact and serve an even greater number of people.

Similarly, nonprofit leadership teams must also be skilled at communicating their organization’s values, services, and accomplishments to the community at large. This includes being able to create marketing campaigns that bring people in need to an organization and elicit contributions from people who want to get involved.

3. Data-Informed Decision-Making Skills

Whether a nonprofit organization is evaluating and managing service programs or dispersing funds directly, its leaders must know how to turn data into actionable insights. This data can include feedback from the community, employee performance metrics, or government-reported information about vulnerable populations who need support.

4. Resilience and Adaptability

Nonprofits rely on government grants, individual donations, and contributions from other organizations to fund their operations, which means an organization’s financial status can change quickly. In fact, according to the Urban Institute’s 2025 national survey on nonprofit trends and impacts, about half of all surveyed nonprofit leaders are more concerned about their organization’s finances than anything else.

In this environment, resilience and adaptability are crucial. Leaders must be prepared to seek funding from alternative sources when necessary and help their organizations overcome obstacles with creativity and resourcefulness.

5. Ethicality

While it may seem simple to always strive to do the most good for one’s community, ethical issues are a common hurdle for leaders in nonprofits of all sizes. For example, a data breach might threaten their clients’ confidentiality; a board member might stand to gain financially from a partnership with a local company; or a large donation might come in from a less-than-reputable source.

Nonprofit leaders must have a strong ethical compass to be able to navigate or avoid such issues. At the same time, they need to foster an organizational culture in which these types of issues can be dealt with openly and honestly.

6. Fundraising

Fundraising is essential to a nonprofit’s operations. Funds can come in the form of grants from government agencies, donations from private companies or individuals, proceeds from auctions and other events, and any number of other sources. Well-rounded fundraising utilizes a mix of sources.

However, fundraising is more involved than receiving and using money. It often involves rigorous research, marketing, and public relations planning. Fundraisers must also have a strong grasp of ethics and laws surrounding the solicitation and use of funds. Violating guidelines can result in fines, revocation of tax-exempt status, or the loss of the public’s trust.

How to Develop Nonprofit Leadership Skills

Before formally starting on the path to nonprofit leadership, many professionals volunteer with local organizations where they discover a passion for a specific issue. After that, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, gaining experience, and then earning a master’s degree is a great way for professionals to become qualified candidates for high-level positions in nonprofit organizations.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Aspiring nonprofit professionals earn a bachelor’s degree in any of a wide range of subjects before getting into the sector. Some earn a degree in business administration or a related area such as accounting or marketing. Others study sociology, gender studies, or another subject related to a specific social issue they are interested in.

No matter what a person studies at this level, they need to learn how to communicate effectively, manage their time, and work as part of a team.

Pursue Jobs in the Nonprofit Sector

With a bachelor’s degree, a future nonprofit leader can start applying for entry-level jobs that align with their current skill set. For example, a person with a degree in human resources might find an HR management position in a large national nonprofit. Someone with a communications degree might find work in fundraising or public relations within a smaller organization such as a food bank in their city.

Some professionals take a different route and work in the private sector before switching to the nonprofit sector. This provides another way for a professional to discover their passion and get to know others in the nonprofit sector.

Earn a Master’s and Seek Leadership Positions

Since the legal and ethical issues that arise in the nonprofit sector are often unique to the sector, many organizations look for directors and high-level managers with some experience and a graduate degree. Individuals seeking such roles can prepare by enrolling in the Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership program at Belmont Abbey College.

Built upon Benedictine values such as discipline, community, and hospitality, this program enables students to build the ethical foundation they need to enter nonprofit leadership as true servant leaders in their communities. The program features classes on:

• Ethical decision-making
• Organizational behavior
• Human resource management
• Communication
• Nonprofit program evaluation
• Data-driven leadership
• Change and innovation management

Before graduating, students complete a capstone strategy project in which they test their new skills and apply ethical principles to a real-world situation. Graduates can pursue any of a number of nonprofit leadership positions including community services manager, executive director, or human resources manager roles.

Become an Organizational Leader and Serve Your Community

Offered as a fully online program, the MA in Leadership program at Belmont Abbey College can help you become the servant leader your community needs in just 12 months. Along the way, Belmont Abbey’s knowledgeable, student-focused faculty will be there to help you get the most out of your experience and make it your own, no matter where you are or where you’re going.

Whether you want to pivot to the nonprofit sector, launch your own organization, or bring a values-based focus to your private-sector career, the MA in Leadership program can help you accomplish your goals. Request more information about the program today.

Recommended Readings

Servant Leadership vs. Transformational Leadership: Key Differences
How to Make Your Organization a Data-Driven Organization
How to Successfully Lead Through Change

Sources:

Indeed, “Nonprofit Leadership: Different Types and Important Skills”
National Council of Nonprofits, “Ethical Leadership for Nonprofits”
National Council of Nonprofits, “Fundraising”
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, “9 Essential Nonprofit Management Skills and Development Tips”
Urban Institute, “Nonprofit Leaders’ Concerns About Finances, Programming, and Workforce Challenges Intensified From 2024 to 2025”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “Nonprofit vs. Not-for-Profit vs. For-Profit: What’s the Difference?”