Are leader born or made

Introduction

The manner in which we tend to reason about leadership have effects on how we see leaders around us. Most of us expect leaders to be heroes as they take charge and save the day. Good leaders are seen not to take the opinion of others and make the decision on their own. If they consult they are believed to be weak. Alternatively, in personal view, a leader should be collaborative and focused on the issue of making sure decisions that may arise. In this case, a leader is viewed as a tyrant or aggressive (Manktelow & Brodbeck, 2006). Due to our philosophies of how individuals become leaders the way we assess different people’s leadership capability is also affected.

According to behavioral theory, leaders are made and not born. The theories state that people become leaders through the process of learning, teaching and observation.  In order to be an effective leader, there are those skills on is set to possess. These skills can be achieved through the process of training, practice, perception, and the experience gained over time(Kets  & Engellau, 2004). The learning process of one to become an effective leader is a lifetime activity. In order to be a good leader, one has to seek development opportunities that will assist them in learning new leadership skills. To support its argument the theory embraces the military doctrine which is evident enough that leadership is a training program. Soft skills such as charisma, integrity and influence can only be explained and not implanted. Leadership comes with the ability to share a vision which can be taught through basic learning (Ruvolo et al 2004).

The fact of the matter is that most of the people have the capacity to become operational leaders but it takes time for them to develop. In the course of this period, they are able to identify the specific things that they are passionate about. They are as well able to identify and get to know their individual objectives as well as purpose (Ruvolo et al 2004). As time goes on they learn on ways to better express themselves so that others may understand and get to know them even better. It is after learning all these things with time that they are able to implement their unique strengths as well as leadership skills and they are able to stand up and openly express their unique purpose to the rest of the people (Manktelow & Brodbeck, 2006). Thus we can all agree that leaders grow and develop over time while their true identity as leaders is also nurtured over time. Thus it is also true to argue that leadership qualities can only be learned through life experiences but cannot be taught. Hard work, determination, and passion are the driving factors behind the lives of any potential leader. When opportunities are given to these leaders they are able to practice their leadership skills, strength and voice towards making a difference in the society and improvement are witnessed as they are given these chances to utilize their abilities. The fact that leadership is a learning process, so many people shun away from trying to understand themselves, their identities or neither their identities (Olson, 2009).

Leadership is considered as an art more than a science. This is attributed to the set of distinctive traits, which are advanced and are achieved over time. A leader is supposed to shine despite the position they are in. If there are cases where one's fear overrides the willingness of taking up the responsibilities then one can be regarded as a follower and not a leader (Olson, 2009). For one to be a leader in structured environments there arises the need of formal training so that they can learn how to manage well, start a small business and be able to lead on project based on the rules that can be learned and mastered.

Leadership is regarded as a choice. This means that a person makes that decision and comes forward to take up the challenge. This arises from the multitude that the person is already a leader, to begin with. When an individual has virtues such as prudence, fairness, and courage is seen to be an individual with leadership characteristics (Manktelow & Brodbeck, 2006). For a leader to be able to perform to the expected level one should be able to articulate leadership skills. Communication is one skill a leader cannot do without. A leader should be able to communicate with the people. Confidence also plays an important role. When a leader is confident people also tend to believe that the leader is well acquainted in the area and there is no need of them to worry (Kets & Engellau, 2004).

Some people would also argue that leaders are born since leadership relies heavily on our attitude. According to the trait theory, leaders usually have some attributes that and qualities that are different from person to person. It is this variation of attribute and qualities that do separate a leader and a non-leader (Kets & Engellau, 2004). This means that attitudes are natural hence few people have the braveries to do that which ought to be done either from the past or present experiences for the better of everyone. Therefore it is evident that specific characters are inborn but they, however, depend on the environment where they are polished, improved and enhanced over a period of time. Those who nurture their inborn qualities are able to become leaders while those who fail to develop and enhance their inborn qualities ends up losing on becoming a leader (Olson, 2009). Each and every individual has the chance and ability to become a leader as everyone is a leader wen born but it all depends on the time when one realizes that they have these qualities and the timing when they express their leadership qualities. Incidents or situations do play a great role in assisting one in realizing their leadership qualities and the action of sharpening the realized qualities is what makes a good leader (Ruvolo et al 2004).

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note that leaders are both born as well as made. From the different evidences and arguments it is clear that both forms contribute towards formation of a leader. However, the making process is the final determinant to whether a person will actually follow the path of being a leader or not. Each and every one of us has the ability to become a leader but how we take time to improve our qualities or in realizing ourselves makes the difference. However in as much as we are born with the ability to become leaders, our driving factor which is basically passion to becoming a leader plays a larger role.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Kets, . V. M. F. R., & Engellau, E. (2004). Are leaders born or are they made?: The case of         Alexander the Great. London: Karnac.

Manktelow, J., & Brodbeck, F. C. (2006). How to lead: Discover the leader within you. London: MindTools.

Olson, D. A. (2009). Are Great Leaders Born, or Are They Made?. Frontiers Of Health Services             Management, 26(2), 27-30.

Ruvolo, C. M., Petersen, S. A., & LeBoeuf, J. G. (2004). Leaders Are Made, Not Born The          Critical Role of a Developmental Framework to Facilitate an Organizational Culture of Development. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice & Research, 56(1), 10-19.     doi:10.1037/1061-4087.56.1.10