subject: Are Leaders Made Or Are They Born? [print this page] Who hasn't given their opinion on this question? I know in my mind it is a very simple answer. I'm not going to let you in know my opinion yet until we have had a chance to go over a few ideas. If you do any type of search on the World Wide Web for leadership skills training you will be overwhelmed with the amount of training classes to choose from. I couldn't believe all the different types available from plain old supervisory skills to the more advance executive coaching skills. Armed with that information it is easy to understand that anyone that attends just a few of these classes are now great leaders, right?
After all if you follow the techniques and directions of these course instructors there shouldn't be any question about you becoming a great leader. These courses teach you how to talk to people and watch for body language. They give you instruction on setting priorities with your staff so that they will appreciate your great leadership skills. They teach you how to listen actively so that your employees truly know that you care. Isn't this what leadership skills are all about?
I'm sure you already figured out that I feel leaders are born and not made from any ordinary person. The raw leadership skills that someone was born with can certainly be developed. There are some that will show those skills much sooner than other; however, there is no doubt that those skills will come out at some point. It won't matter who tries to hold them back from displaying them, they will come out.
Management skills are those skills that can be taught to almost anyone. Those that are not gifted with leadership skills must substitute them with management skills. Even then you can tell clearly who has natural leadership skills and who only has management skills. Here is an example of why I feel this way.
Can anyone within reason be taught how to be a Professional Quarterback for the National Football League? Or do they have to have the natural raw skills necessary to be taught? If you tell me that anyone can be taught I think our conversation is over since we both know that it isn't possible. They must have the raw talent to be taught the position.
