“You’re a natural born leader.” This is a statement that has been said thousands of times. However, are people actually ‘born’ to lead? The Great Man theory suggests that great leaders possess certain traits that are inherited through birth. Earlier leadership was considered as a quality found in males and therefore the theory got its name. It is assumed that in times of need, a great man will arise. This theory portrays leaders as heroic and mythic characters destined to rise to leadership when necessary.…
In our history as the United States Army, we have overcome tremendous and various obstacles that have led to defining moments as well as benchmarking what true leadership is and what unity can achieve. In defining unity in the Army history we generally tend to think of cohesion as a mutual alliances among several of Americans serving for a common purpose and as so, all due credit is due. Yet when defining leadership in history we tend to take a more individualized point of reference, focusing on key leaders and achievers of great feats. This generalized train of thought feeds into a widely misguided myth, with its underlining respectable…
Some would say a leader is born a leader while others have the belief that a leader is created over time. Some would say a good leader cannot exist without experience, and others believe a leader can learn all they need to be effective from books and classes. If you were to ask me,…
After studying the biography of many of historical and contemporary leaders it can be concluded that up to some extent leadership qualities are inherent but good leaders are created or made, they are not born. Because these inherent qualities need to be polished and molded through experiences and are within an individual giving him some authority. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.…
The age-old question continues to raise its ugly head: Are leaders born to lead, or are they made? Does Leadership DNA exist? We often point to one person or the other and say, “Now, he’s a leader,” without giving a lot of thought to how this person became a leader in the first place. Sometimes it is easy to simply conclude that some of us have the leadership gene and some of us do not. Those who do get to lead, while those who do not are forever assigned to the sidelines while leaders have all the fun, make all the decisions, and cover themselves in glory. This comes as rather unsettling news for those of us who fear we may get the opportunity to lead. What hope do we have that we can ever aspire to lead people, teams, companies, organizations, even our children?…
In my opinion, I believe that leaders are more effective when they are not necessarily born, but are properly trained and appointed to a specific position. Through my research on this topic I received a better understanding of what emergent leadership verses appointed leadership is. Emergent leaders are employees who began to take on tasks voluntarily to help others complete their tasks more effectively. They also encourage consensus among coworkers through their leadership abilities. This type of leadership is distinguished by the leader proving his or her abilities before being formally given a leadership title. Emergent leaders have the advantage of showing in advance of a promotion that they are the person who can handle the job. This type…
Some people are naturally born as leaders whereas others take a long and treacherous journey through life and become a star leader. I certainly wasn’t born into this world as a leader and nor do I consider myself a picture perfect leader at this point by any means. This does not stop me from knowing that I can become a Schulich leader and better the current generation and future ones to come.…
I believe that there is such a thing as natural born leaders that are innately gifted with the knack of leading others but most have to work extremely hard at it. Whether you’re born a leader or not, everyone can benefit from training and from consciously working to improve their effectiveness. Leadership skills can also diminish over time, as well. It requires constant effort to maintain proficiency, especially if you go long periods without leading anyone. Leadership improvement is a continuous process and the best leaders take an active role in developing it within themselves and…
It is my learned opinion that leaders are made not born, and their DNA influences the speed of the process. It does not matter what leadership theory is considered (trait, behavior, power and influence, situational, charismatic, or transformational), one can get the required knowledge, learn to behave in a certain way, develop specific demeanors, and even modify one’s attitudes and personality to become an effective leader. Relevant and vast evidence has been accumulated in the last several years and suggests that training interventions can develop leadership on those trained (Dvir, Eden, & Avolio, 2002). Further, people’s intellectual abilities, logic-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal (Gardner, 1993) are optimized combining the innate humans’ skills (brain structure) with formal training.…
Some would say a leader is born a leader while others have the belief that a leader is created over time. Some would say a good leader cannot exist without experience, and others believe a leader can learn all they need to be effective from books and classes. If you were to ask me,...…
I've always trusted that great leaders bred, not born. Leadership is a quality where a person stands out and take the responsibility not only for himself/herself but for the others and bring positive energy for others. A good leader can be shown through his/her ability in thinking, creativity, innovation, warring. On top of that, a good leader not only have to be impartial towards his/her follower but respected by all his/her…
But what makes one man a leader? Leader and leadership are two words which are simply expressed in the dictionary as a noun and adjective. Where the former is a human being, the latter is a quality. Leadership is needed for making a leader; still the question remains as to who and what makes a Leader. Leadership as a quality may be more innate than acquired, but some qualities and characteristics can be identified and consciously brought to bear during complex and difficult times like the present. The history has witnessed varied personalities who were Leaders, be it the Gandhi or Nelson Mandela or even Hitler, who had a genre following his words and acting to his obedience. What made them leader was their philosophy which was strong to strengthen their voice. Everyone expresses their opinion; everyone raises their voice. However, the one who has a strong eloquence, clear thought and an innovative concept is chosen to guide the others, to represent the class of people with the same ideologies. This brings out an essential factor of leader- REPRESENTATION. If the need of representation is taken as the primary reason of leader, then it would be correct to say that they are created by the demand placed on them by the people. However, even if the representation factor is put behind, the truth that he is created by the pressure placed on them can not be…
I believe that we are born with the traits to become great leaders. Leadership can come in different forms and from all backgrounds. Having all the right conditions in place will not guarantee leadership. I have come across leaders with all the right conditions who failed by performance when given the opportunity. I have also come across the uneducated with no support system who becomes business owners and community leaders. First, leadership is a group phenomenon; there can be no leaders without followers. Leadership always involves interpersonal influence or persuasion. Second,…
I believe there is a lot to be said for both views on the subject. I think there are some genetic qualities that are passed on and I also believe the nurturing process also holds prominence in developing traits for promising leaders. I firmly believe that people will rise to the occasion. Lead, follow or get out of the way. I first heard that statement at the US Army Non-commissioned Officers Academy. To cite who originally said it is a debate all its own. For purposes of this writing the author will be unknown. I believe that in times of opportunity people will do one of the three, lead, follow or get out of the way.…
It is the opinion of some that a good leader is born and the opinion of others that a leader is made. As a leader you have to assume command, and know that everything that occurs from that moment on is that leader’s responsibility.…