Monday, January 31, 2022

Leaders are Made: Not Born


The term 'born leader' is perhaps, in my opinion, one of the most dangerous terms in the English language.  While I will admit that there are some people who seem to be wired for leadership, most leaders have had to develop their skills and abilities over time.  Leadership can be and IS learned.  I would argue that even 'born' leaders still need to learn and refine their leadership skills.  

Too many people buy into the myth that leaders are 'just born'.  Even worse, they get caught in the trap of not only believing that leaders must be born, they dismiss themselves as ever being a leader since they think that they are not a born leader.  Both are ideas wrong.  Anyone can become an effective leader if they have the willingness to learn and the patience to let the process develop them.

Leadership is leaned over time, it doesn't just happen!  It is delevoped by reading great leadership books and autobiographies and biographies of effective and great leaders, by watching and observing effective leaders in a variety of situations, by having and learning from mentors, and through personal experience.  The seasoned effective leader will combine all of these over time to improve and refine their leadership skills.

The single biggest factor needed to become a better leader is the desire to become a better leader.  That true desire will then trigger the willingness to DO, not just TALK.  What I mean is that far too many people will profess the desire to become a better leader but then will not be willing to take the steps necessary to get better.  The best leaders know that they still have much to learn and they have the humility to not only admit it, but to also act on it!

All leaders are made and refined over time, they are not 'just born'!

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