There has been a debate for a number of years concerning the issue of what makes a great leader. This debate is usually summarized into two schools of thought. The one school proposes that leaders are a select few people who are born with the unique set of skill and have rare leadership abilities. The other school of thought proposes that leaders are made, that is they learn, grow and develop into great leaders through the books they read, the people they associate with and from their personal experiences.
My take on this discussion is that I believe that Leaders are made, and I am not the only one with this belief.
“…leaders are made, not born, and made more by themselves than by any external means. Second . . . that no leader sets out to be a leader per se, but rather to express himself freely and fully.” – Warren Bennis, On Becoming a Leader
The truth is the most people have the potential to become leaders. The real issue is that leadership takes time to develop…
- People need time to figure out what they’re passionate about
- People need time to understand their personal vision and purpose
- People need time to learn how to express who they
- People need time to learn how to use their unique strengths and skills
- People need time to learn how to express their purpose in their own unique unique way.
As the saying goes…. the fighter does not win in the ring… he is only recognised there! You see leadership is not something you’re born with, it cannot be taught, it cannot be copied… it’s learnt!
“Leadership cannot really be taught. It can only be learned.” – Harold Geneen
Leaders learn through life experience, by making room in our lives for lots of trial and error…
“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal." – Vince Lombardi
Leaders are made when they understanding their purpose, their unique strengths and have a deep passion to make a difference by living out who they are in the real world.
“Leadership is an observable, learnable set of practices. Leadership is not something mystical and ethereal that cannot be understood by ordinary people. Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with the desire and persistence to lead can substantially improve their abilities to do so.” – James Kouzes and Barry Posner, The Leadership Challenge
Perhaps this real issue is that…
- … only a few of us pay the price necessary to become a leader?
- … only a few people take the time to understand their unique vision and purpose?
- … only a few people take the time to understand who they are?
- … only a few people take the time to learn how to express themselves?
Technorati Tags: Leadership, Made, Born, Management, Business, Theory, Experience, Learn, Learning
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, and I see these principles in action every day. I coach mid-level managers, and often times you have these smart and passionate people who just need a bit of support to reach a higher level of performance, or to make the transition from supervision in to leadership.
I think it’s fair to say that not everyone is cut out to be a strong leader. But that being said, the “raw materials” that make up a strong leader are not that uncommon.
Thanks for the post – thought provoking!
Good post, however I will have to respectfully disagree. It might be more appropriate to say that I partially agree and disagree. There is a reason why the majority of U.S. Presidents are first born sons. Social settings such as birth order have a great deal more influence on our choices in life than I think you are giving credit. Also, I think it is dismissive to not include genetics into the mix.
At the same time I agree with your thesis that leaders make choices that develop their skills.
I like the Forrest Gump philosophy. I’m paraphrasing here, some people think we have a predetermined destiny and others believe we choose our own path. I think it is a combination of both.
Thank you for the article, George.
One addition:
People need time to learn how to take responsibility.
For me, the degree to which someone is willing to take responsibility for their action or lack of action determines the degree to which they can safely lead. When people overreach this, we tend to end up with the blame-game disasters that riddle business and politics.
y leaders are born and not made