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Are Leaders Born or Made?

EZRA
Oct 23 2024 | Insights
Man in a blue suit using is phone on the street.

The age-old debate: Are leaders born, or are they made? If you've spent any time in the world of leadership coaching or personal development, you've likely faced both sides of this discussion. Some believe that leadership is an inherent quality, one you're born with. Others argue that leadership is a skill, sharpened over time through experience, learning and practice.


The case for "Born Leaders": Trait Leadership

There’s no denying that there are individuals who possess certain qualities that make them more "natural leaders" - charisma, confidence and the ability to inspire others. Think of historical figures like Winston Churchill or Nelson Mandela. It’s these personality traits that make it easier to believe some people are simply born with an innate ability to lead. This is often referred to as trait leadership.

The power of personality and leadership

Personality plays a significant role in the perspective that leaders are born. Some people are naturally extroverted, assertive and comfortable in social situations, qualities that often align with the traditional image of a leader. It’s because of these personality traits that these people might be more ready to step into leadership roles, rather than because they’ve been coached and trained to do so.

It’s also worth noting that certain personality traits are linked with leadership effectiveness. For example, leaders with high emotional intelligence and strong resilience are far more likely to be effective in their roles. Whilst these traits are determined on the one hand by environmental factors helping to shape an individual, they’re also partly determined by genetic influences. This would suggest people who have these innate tendencies have a head start.

But does this mean that leadership is out of reach for those who don’t naturally possess these traits? Absolutely not.

The case for "Made Leaders": Behavioral Leadership

On the other side of the debate is the belief that leadership is largely learned, often referred to as behavioural leadership theory. This perspective nods to the fact that many people have natural tendencies that help them lead, but recognizes that effective leadership comes down to skills and abilities that anyone can learn and develop.

The power of learning, growth and mentorship

At its core, this side of the debate emphasises that leadership is a process. No one wakes up one day fully equipped to lead a team or an organization. Instead, leadership is built over time through experiences, feedback and personal development.

Whilst many successful leaders are naturally extroverted and strong-willed, success in leadership isn’t confined to this. Think of Bill Gates. As a young man, he was considered introverted, and yet he developed into one of the most successful leaders through growth, development and experience.

In fact, most leadership programs are based on the idea that leadership can be cultivated. Through leadership coaching, individuals can learn how to inspire, manage conflict, set goals and strategies and navigate challenges, skills that are not learned but taught. From this comes confidence and the self-certainty to inspire others.

Coaching and mentorship can transform an individual, and many leaders have credited their growth to their own great mentors. It’s through these mentors that leaders have learnt to handle real-world problems and develop tried-and-tested strategies to motivate and inspire teams. But it also cultivates adaptability. Challenges are constantly thrown up in the world of leadership, and only with experience and exposure to different challenges will leaders develop this critical skill.

A balanced perspective: Maybe leaders are born & made?

So, are leaders born or made? The most convincing answer might be a combination of both.

Pairing innate traits with learned skills

Whilst some people may be born with qualities like confidence and charisma that give them a slight edge or a foot in the door when it comes to leadership, many argue those innate qualities are not enough on their own. To be an effective leader, those traits need to be paired with learned skills like decision-making, conflict resolution, adaptability and strategic thinking. Situational leadership teaches us that being flexible is a key success factor in good leadership, which isn’t something that comes without experience. It’s a leader’s willingness to grow, adapt and develop that makes their success what it is.

How can you develop leadership in yourself?

Understanding that potential isn’t determined by the traits you were born with is key if you’re looking to develop into a leadership role at work. Anyone can make strides towards becoming an effective leader with the right mindset and support.

Here are a few key ways to develop leadership abilities:

  1. Continuous learning: Reading leadership materials, taking courses, and attending workshops allows for continuous learning – leadership is constantly evolving and the best leaders continue to learn throughout their careers.

  2. Seek/provide feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask your team or peers for honest feedback. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is crucial to growth. As a manager or leader, giving constructive feedback is important in shaping your future leadership.

  3. Developing emotional intelligence: Great leaders are not only aware of their own emotions but also adept at understanding and managing the emotions of others.

  4. Mentorship: Learn from those who’ve been where you are, whether that’s an external mentor or someone within your company, they can provide you with invaluable advice. For business owners and senior leaders, look at setting up a mentorship programme at work to help foster this.

  5. Coaching: Leadership is a skill like any other—it gets better with practice. So, shape it with coaching. 1-1 personalised leadership coaching has proven results in helping leaders be their very best.

While some people may be born with the qualities of a ‘natural leader’, it’s clear that effective leadership is learned and developed over time. By cultivating a growth mindset, continuously learning and practicing key skills, anyone can become a great leader.

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