Why Future CEOs Should Spend Time Volunteering

What do Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey have in common? Besides being incredibly successful, they’ve both given back to their communities through hands-on involvement and meaningful initiatives. Many of the skills that make someone a strong CEO are built through real-world experiences like volunteering. If you’re starting your first business or thinking about your future as an entrepreneur, this article breaks down how volunteering can help you grow into a more capable leader.

Volunteering Builds Leadership Through Action

Volunteering gives you the chance to lead with purpose. For example, you may be running a food drive or organizing a team. These tasks help you build experience in communication, project management, and attention to detail—skills every CEO needs. These come in handy when you’re making big decisions, pitching to investors, or hiring your first employee. Leadership shows up in every part of your business, so make it a priority to develop it early. 

It Sharpens Communication

When it comes to running a meeting or networking, how you speak and listen matters. Volunteering builds communication skills because it puts you in situations where you need to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. It helps you learn how to:

• Listen actively
• Speak with clarity and purpose
• Show empathy
• Adjust your message based on who you’re speaking to

These abilities help you become better with customer service, building relationships, and managing your team.

You Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Stepping out of your comfort zone is something every entrepreneur needs to get used to. Showing up on social media or introducing yourself at an event can feel uncomfortable, but those are the moments that help you grow. Volunteering provides you with an opportunity to face discomfort. It places you in unfamiliar settings, pushes you to interact with new people, and teaches you how to solve problems with limited resources.

These experiences build resilience and adaptability, two skills every business owner must have. A Harvard Business study found that 71% of executives consider adaptability one of the most important leadership qualities. When you run a business, you’ll face constant change. From learning new software to adjusting to shifts in market demand, your ability to adapt will help you stay confident despite the challenges that may come your way.

Giving Back Expands Your Network and Perspective

At the core of business is networking and keeping an open mind to different perspectives. Volunteering gives you firsthand experience with these. You’ll meet mentors, community leaders, other students, and nonprofit teams—people with unique backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. These interactions can help you develop a broader worldview, think more creatively, and stay engaged with your community. That kind of mindset encourages collaboration and can lead to more innovative ideas in your business.

Volunteering Makes Your Scholarship and College Applications Stand Out

While not all skills are taught in the classroom, academics still matter. College helps you strengthen traits that entrepreneurs rely on, such as:

• Perseverance
• Time management
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving

Volunteering adds to your growth by showing you’re committed to making a difference. It highlights your leadership, service, and ambition, which are all qualities that will make your college and scholarship applications stand out. Schools want students who create impact, not just those with strong grades.

Start Small, Think Big

Start with whatever opportunity is around you—helping out at a local event, offering your business skills to a nonprofit, or mentoring a peer. Volunteering can shape you into a more well-rounded person and also serve as a strategic move for your business. If you want to lead with impact, begin by giving back.

You’ve got the dream; now get the support! See how the Kantner Foundation scholarship can help Florida students like you. Click here to learn more.