You’ve received an invitation to the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and now you're wondering: what exactly are the benefits of joining NSLS? Is it just another line on your resume, or does it offer something truly impactful for your future? In a world saturated with opportunities, understanding the genuine value proposition of an organization like NSLS is key to making an informed decision about your personal and professional development.
This isn't just about gaining a membership; it's about plugging into a proven system designed to cultivate leaders, foster tangible skills, and open doors you might not find elsewhere. From the moment you accept your nomination, you’re embarking on a structured journey that connects you with a vast network, offers practical training, and provides resources to help you define and achieve your goals.
At a Glance: Why NSLS Stands Out
- Accredited & Legitimate: Backed by Cognia, ACE, NCCRS, and certified as a B Corp.
- Structured Leadership Program: A clear path to develop actionable leadership skills.
- Networking Powerhouse: Connect with over 2 million like-minded leaders globally.
- Resume Booster: Earn a leadership certification and distinguish yourself to employers.
- Significant Scholarship Opportunities: Over $400,000 in annual awards for members.
- Career & Job Support: Exclusive job board, expert interviews, and personalized recommendations.
- Inspirational Speakers: Access to a rich archive and live broadcasts from top thought leaders.
- Lifetime Access: A one-time fee grants you benefits and discounts for life.
Beyond the Invitation: What is NSLS and Why Does it Matter?
Let's cut through the noise: The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) isn't just another club; it's the largest accredited leadership honor society in the United States. It's built on a simple, yet powerful premise: when individuals are empowered with leadership skills, they can achieve their greatest potential and positively impact the world around them.
Invitations are typically extended based on academic standing or a professor's nomination recognizing your inherent leadership potential. This isn't an organization you simply pay to join and forget; it's an investment in a structured, engaging program designed for real-world impact.
But is NSLS legitimate? Absolutely. The NSLS holds full accreditation from Cognia, a testament to its educational rigor. Furthermore, its leadership training courses are reviewed and recommended for credit reciprocity by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). Beyond academic credibility, NSLS is also a certified B Corp, meaning it meets high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. They are registered with the Better Business Bureau, maintaining robust ties with successful individuals and organizations to continuously provide value to their members. This robust foundation ensures that the leadership skills you gain are recognized, valued, and transferable.
The Induction Journey: Activating Your Membership
Upon accepting your nomination, you become a pre-inducted member, gaining limited access to benefits. The full spectrum of NSLS advantages unlocks once you complete the induction process. Think of it as a comprehensive leadership training course that culminates in formal recognition. This structured path typically takes an average of 8-12 hours spread out over a semester, but you have until graduation to complete it.
Here’s what that journey entails:
- Orientation: Your welcome to the society, providing a detailed overview of the program and expectations.
- Leadership Training Day: An interactive video session, paired with a workbook, designed to help you identify personal obstacles, pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, and develop actionable SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
- Speaker Broadcast Events (Three): Tune into sessions featuring successful motivational speakers who share insights on leadership, goal setting, and personal growth. These are inspiring deep dives into what it takes to succeed.
- Success Networking Team Meetings (Three): This is where theory meets practice. You'll work in facilitated small groups to develop concrete action steps for your SMART goals, building accountability and peer support.
- Service Hours (Three): Engage in public service through NSLS projects or other approved sources, translating your leadership skills into community impact.
Completing these steps isn't just a formality; it's the crucible in which your leadership potential is forged. It's how you move from aspiration to actionable skill.
Core Benefits: How NSLS Empowers Your Growth
Once fully inducted, the real advantages of NSLS membership truly begin to unfold. These benefits are multifaceted, designed to address various aspects of your personal, academic, and professional development.
1. Transformative Leadership Development & Skill Building
At its heart, NSLS is a leadership training ground. The skills you acquire here aren't theoretical; they're practical, applicable, and highly sought after in any field.
- Goal Setting & Accountability through Success Networking Teams: Imagine having a built-in support system dedicated to helping you achieve your aspirations. Success Networking Teams (SNTs) are small, facilitated groups where you define your goals and craft concrete action plans. More importantly, your team holds you accountable, providing motivation and constructive feedback as you progress. This peer-driven mentorship cultivates discipline and a results-oriented mindset.
- Professional Success Coaching: For those times you need expert guidance, NSLS offers access to professional success coaches. These coaches can help you navigate challenges, refine your strategies, and provide an external perspective to accelerate your growth journey.
- DiSC Communication Assessment: Understanding how you communicate and how others perceive you is a cornerstone of effective leadership. The DiSC assessment provides invaluable insights into your communication style, helping you adapt and connect more effectively with diverse personalities in academic, social, and professional settings.
- Leadership Training Certificate: Upon completion of the leadership program, you earn a formal Leadership Training Certificate. This isn't just a piece of paper; it's a tangible credential that boosts your resume, distinguishing you from other candidates and signaling to potential employers and admissions counselors that you possess proven leadership capabilities. It tells them you've not only learned about leadership but actively practiced it.
2. Significant Scholarship & Award Opportunities
Financial support for education and personal development is a major concern for many students, and NSLS directly addresses this with substantial opportunities.
The NSLS Foundation awards over $400,000 annually in scholarships and awards to its members. These aren't just small grants; individual awards can range from $500 to $7,500, making a real difference in covering tuition, supporting community service projects, aiding educational pursuits, or funding personal growth goals.
Scholarships are based on various criteria, including your desire to make a difference, commitment to service, demonstrated member excellence, and financial need. Types of awards include:
- Mission-Based Scholarships/Grants: Rewarding members who embody the NSLS mission of creating positive change.
- Need-Based Scholarships/Grants: Providing financial assistance to members who demonstrate economic need.
- Stephen Covey Tribute Awards: Honoring members who exemplify the principles of effective leadership, inspired by the renowned author.
Scholarship applications open twice a year, typically in the Spring and Fall semesters, offering consistent opportunities to secure funding for your educational journey. This financial support can significantly alleviate the burden of college expenses, allowing you to focus more on your studies and leadership development.
3. Unparalleled Career Advancement & Professional Edge
In today's competitive job market, standing out is critical. NSLS membership provides several concrete advantages that can significantly enhance your career trajectory.
- Enhanced Resume with Leadership Certification: As mentioned, your leadership training certificate is a powerful addition to your resume, showcasing practical skills in goal setting, communication, and team accountability. This immediately differentiates you to recruiters.
- Exclusive Access to the NSLS Job Bank: Imagine a job board where employers are specifically looking for candidates with leadership experience and the qualities cultivated within NSLS. Inducted members gain exclusive access to an online job bank that connects them with employers actively seeking NSLS members, often for leadership-track roles or internships.
- Online Interview Series with Career Experts: The job search process is complex, but NSLS helps you prepare. Members can access an online interview series featuring seasoned career experts who share insights, tips, and strategies for acing interviews, crafting compelling resumes, and navigating the professional landscape.
- Personalized Letter of Recommendation: A strong letter of recommendation can be a game-changer for job applications and graduate school admissions. Fully inducted members receive a personalized letter of recommendation from the NSLS, highlighting their leadership achievements and commitment to success. This official endorsement carries significant weight with employers and admissions committees.
- Local, Regional, and National Leadership Positions: Beyond formal training, NSLS offers hands-on leadership experience within the organization itself. You can pursue leadership positions at your local chapter, or even at regional or national levels within the society. These roles provide invaluable experience in managing teams, organizing events, and driving initiatives—all excellent for your resume and skill development.
4. An Expansive Global Community & Engaging Events
One of the most profound benefits of NSLS is the community it fosters. You're not just joining an organization; you're joining a movement of leaders.
- Network of Over 2 Million Members: NSLS boasts a network of over two million members across more than 800 colleges globally. This vast network represents a diverse range of disciplines, backgrounds, and aspirations. Connecting with peers who are equally driven can lead to mentorship opportunities, collaborative projects, and lifelong friendships.
- Local Chapter Engagement: Your local NSLS chapter provides immediate opportunities to connect, collaborate, and lead. Through social events, fundraising initiatives, and community service projects, you can apply your leadership skills in a practical, impactful way right on your campus. These activities also offer a fantastic platform for networking, honing your interpersonal skills, and building a local support system.
5. Inspiration from Top Minds: The Speaker Series
Staying motivated and continuously learning from those who have achieved great things is crucial for sustained success. The NSLS Speaker Series provides direct access to some of the world's most influential voices.
- Live-Streamed Speaker Broadcasts: Members gain access to six live-streamed Speaker Broadcasts per year. These events feature a diverse array of renowned individuals, including celebrities, best-selling authors, influential activists, dynamic motivational speakers, and successful entrepreneurs. They share their stories, strategies, and insights, offering invaluable lessons and inspiration.
- Extensive Online Archive: Miss a live broadcast? No problem. NSLS maintains an extensive online archive of past presentations, featuring approximately 100 nationally renowned speakers. This means you can access a wealth of knowledge and motivation anytime, anywhere, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit key lessons.
6. Everyday Perks & Partner Benefits
Beyond the core leadership and career development, NSLS membership also comes with practical advantages that can save you money and support your academic journey.
These exclusive partner benefits offer discounts on a range of products and services essential for students:
- Computers & Technology: Save on essential tech for your studies.
- Textbooks: Alleviate the financial burden of course materials.
- Graduate School Prep Courses: Get a leg up on standardized tests for advanced degrees.
- Insurance: Access discounted rates on various insurance plans.
These perks are a nice bonus, underscoring the NSLS's commitment to providing holistic value to its members.
Addressing Common Questions and Misconceptions
It's natural to have questions when considering an investment in any organization. Let's tackle some common inquiries head-on.
Is NSLS a legitimate organization or a scam?
This is perhaps the most common question, and it's a valid one in an age of countless online programs. As detailed earlier, NSLS is unequivocally legitimate. It's fully accredited by Cognia, its leadership training courses are recognized by ACE and NCCRS for credit reciprocity, and it's a certified B Corp. It's registered with the Better Business Bureau and has a transparent, structured program with clear deliverables and benefits. NSLS isn't selling a quick fix; it's offering a robust, proven leadership development framework backed by reputable organizations.
What is the time commitment for NSLS?
The initial induction process requires an average of 8-12 hours, typically spread out over a semester. This includes the orientation, leadership training day, three speaker broadcasts, three Success Networking Team meetings, and three service hours. This isn't a massive time commitment, especially considering the lifetime value of the benefits you unlock. After induction, your engagement level is largely up to you. You can participate in as many events, apply for as many scholarships, or take on as many leadership roles as you wish, fitting it into your schedule as it suits your goals.
Is the one-time membership fee worth it?
The one-time membership fee of $95 grants you lifetime access to all NSLS benefits, resources, and partner discounts. When you weigh this against the potential for over $400,000 in annual scholarships, the value of a recognized leadership certification, exclusive job opportunities, expert speaker series, and a global network of millions, the fee is a relatively small investment with a potentially enormous return.
Many members find that the combination of skill development, networking opportunities, and tangible career advantages far outweighs the initial cost. For instance, just securing a single scholarship or landing an internship through the NSLS job bank could easily recoup the fee many times over. Ultimately, deciding if NSLS is worth it depends on your individual goals and your willingness to engage with the program to maximize its offerings.
Making the Most of Your NSLS Journey
Joining NSLS is more than simply paying a fee; it's an opportunity you actively engage with to maximize its value. Here’s how you can make the most of your membership:
- Commit to the Induction Process: Don't delay. Complete the induction requirements promptly to unlock full benefits and begin your leadership journey without interruption.
- Actively Participate in Success Networking Teams: This is where you put theory into practice. Be an active listener, offer constructive feedback, and hold yourself accountable to your goals. The more you put in, the more you get out.
- Engage with Your Chapter: Attend local chapter meetings, participate in social events, and get involved in service projects. This is your immediate community for networking and applying your leadership skills.
- Leverage the Speaker Series: Make time for the live broadcasts or dive into the archived content. These insights from successful individuals can spark new ideas and keep you motivated.
- Explore Scholarship Opportunities: Don't leave money on the table! Review the scholarship criteria and apply for those that align with your goals and experiences.
- Utilize Career Resources: Take advantage of the job bank, interview series, and your personalized letter of recommendation when you’re ready to seek internships or employment.
- Seek Leadership Roles: Challenge yourself by running for a chapter leadership position or getting involved in organizing events. Hands-on experience is invaluable.
By embracing these opportunities, you transform a membership into a powerful catalyst for your personal growth, academic success, and professional advancement. The National Society of Leadership and Success offers a proven pathway to unlock your full potential—all that's left is for you to walk it.