Opinionated Stance: Are Leaders Born Or Trained?

In all facets of our daily lives, some sorts of exceptional lifestyle are required to dichotomize between ourselves and others. As humans, we start differentiating ourselves from others in terms of our ability to be alone or to move alongside others. Kids, as young and tender as 5-year-olds, decide to see one or two of their colleagues as those capable of “leading” them in the classroom or on their way back to the house. It may be anything at all — could even be those who are seen as big and tough enough to act like a grown-up even among his or her own peers! No matter where we find ourselves, we need leaders because they set the objectives, lead the paths, and ensure success. Any group without a leader is one that discharges its duties aimlessly. Just like the Biblical Messiah is charged with leading the Christendom towards salvation (and finally Heaven), so is any well-structured business organization better off with good leadership towards a successful operational agendum.

Are leaders really born or trained?

Well, even though mischievous entities may try to no avail to debate why leaders are born, it is absolutely preposterous to harbour such a lame assertion. This is because leadership is actually learned overtime! Who comes out of his or her mum’s womb with already stored memory of how to strive in businesses, churn out effective communication skills, or order affairs of an ailing corporation towards a successful peak? Even if such cases exist, it may be quite rare.

Leadership is a set of skills that can be learned by training, perception, practice and experience over time. Sane leadership learning is a lifetime activity. Ideally, good leaders seek out development opportunities that will help them learn new skills in order to be a good example to his or her followers.

Admittedly, some believe that true leaders are born that way—naturally charismatic, influential, and inspiring individuals who are destined to make a mark. But while certain people may be naturally predisposed to leadership, just as they’re naturally predisposed to athleticism or musicality, it’s absolutely possible to nurture the characteristics and skills necessary to call yourself a leader. As legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi once said; “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.” (Quora.com)

If a survey were to be made with a significantly high hypothetical sample as to whether many people have ever had their leadership skills straight from birth without any pint of timely and deliberate assistance from a teacher, colleague, or boss, it may be quite cumbersome to ascertain such claims. To this effect, it’s just obvious that good leaders have always been those who have gone through the mill — having had various mentors, role models, and tutors to guide them throughout some leadership expertise such as democratic ones, laissez-faire, autocratic style, authoritative style, pacesetting style, coaching style, affiliative style and what have you.

So, if the issue of leaders been trained or born is ever raised then the former is the best bet on any given day!