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What do you think?

by rattan007
15 replies
Hello Warriors !

There have been a debate from decades if the leaders are born or made/developed. I agree with both. But it all depends upon how we define a leader. Everyone lead someone in their life on some point. For example, everyone lead their children as mother or father.

Lets talk about leadership in organizations and great leaders, who have played a major role in their lives and made identity worldwide, i.e. Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, Dhiru Bhai Ambani, Mother Teresa, etc. Are they born leaders? In my opinion, great leaders are made or develop themselves because of innovation, adaptability, dedication and desire to lead.

What do you think about this point? Are the leaders born or made/developed?

Cheers
#leaders #leadership #sucessful leaders
  • Profile picture of the author Ronald Nzimora
    You are right
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Leadership is a quality. Some people are born more towards the follower side of the spectrum and others towards the leader side of the spectrum. There is some genetic (nature) portion of leadership because leadership is very much a part of personality, which is partially genetic.

    HOWEVER, ones environment (nurture) plays a huge role on the development of the leadership concept. One can learn the traits of a leader and imitate them. People who are born more followers can become leaders but they need to work extra hard. People born with leadership qualities dont necessarily cultivate those qualities to become leaders as they develop.


    I dont know one great leader who didnt "work on" their leadership, by studying, reading, learning about leadership.


    Its both, but I think heavier weight is on the nurture/leaders are developed side!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi rattan007,

    Leadership is developed over time.

    Abe Lincoln was as failure at everything he tried until he was 40. Bill Gates was not born a billionaire. Certain characteristics in leaders may be present but they have to be cultivated and tempered in order to become successful and powerful.

    Case in point. I remember a former co-worker who was brilliant, creative and driven. All qualities of a leader. In the same respect he had lousy people skills. If he could have cultivated these he would have become potentially a wonderful leader yet he chose not to and wound up working for others, for menial pay.

    To become a leader, you must become a leader.

    Ryan Biddulph
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Leadership qualities are in many of us. Great leaders are the result of challenging circumstances - when those with innate leadership qualities rise to the occasion.

      kay
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  • Profile picture of the author aj50
    Many can follow but not many can lead... so be a follower if it positively enables you... or be a leader and positively enable the followers.
    aj50
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  • Profile picture of the author rattan007
    Hi again

    Yes, It all depends upon the individual if he wants to be leader or to be follower. One needs a great attitude of win win.. Without can do attitude, no one is able to do things. Knowledge is power. If you have knowledge, you can lead the people. Because, Knowledge builds confidence in one and confidence helps in leading.

    Cheers
    Rattan
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    • Profile picture of the author Verena
      I think the character plays a vital part. A person need at least some leadership "quality" before anything else can be learned. Yes, learning and experience does play a part, but I would say great leaders are first born with leadership quality, and life trainings they gone through just "mold" them into someone great.
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      • Profile picture of the author ucajack
        I think leadership is always cultivated, no body is born with it. but before leading others one should learn to lead oneself.
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  • Profile picture of the author lithium
    Originally Posted by rattan007 View Post

    Hello Warriors !

    There have been a debate from decades if the leaders are born or made/developed. I agree with both. But it all depends upon how we define a leader. Everyone lead someone in their life on some point. For example, everyone lead their children as mother or father.

    Lets talk about leadership in organizations and great leaders, who have played a major role in their lives and made identity worldwide, i.e. Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, Dhiru Bhai Ambani, Mother Teresa, etc. Are they born leaders? In my opinion, great leaders are made or develop themselves because of innovation, adaptability, dedication and desire to lead.

    What do you think about this point? Are the leaders born or made/developed?

    Cheers
    Talking only about great leaders like the notables you mentioned, I would say that people are born leaders. I think that those that are considered great leaders would have been great leaders regardless of the field they chose.

    I think everyone can probably develop themselves into a 'leader' of some sort, (sports team captain, school group leader, good executive etc), usually by excelling in a particular hard or soft skill (depending on the type of leadership), but to be great, you must have it ingrained from birth.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jacksprat
      I think they are made but it is due to their creativity, initiative and never give up attitude.
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  • Profile picture of the author abarton
    I think its great!
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  • Profile picture of the author kcorps
    In my opinion, great leaders are born with the gift to lead. I have found many people with that talent, however, if they do not make the optimum use of that gift, they will loose it.

    So, in conclusion, every one must develop every gift he/she got in order to be big.
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  • Profile picture of the author gtgart
    With the right input, great leaders can be developed.

    Hellen Keller, just another deaf dumb and blind person, I think not.

    Born with natural talent to lead, no way.

    Nurtured by Anne Sullivan Helen went on to lead the way for many people who have felt that life has dealt them a rough hand.

    Find the leader in yourself and help the leader in another to stand up to the challenge.

    mtcw

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  • Profile picture of the author markament
    After reading Malcolm Gladwell's book "Tipping Point" I've come to see that great leaders sometime emerge as a result of the conditions into which they were born. Take Bill Gates for example. He of course had the motivation to work hard, but when he was a teenager he had access to one of the top computers for the times (early 1970s). It was located at a nearby university and he was able to spend hours programming on it. By the time he was 20 he had more programming experience than virtually anyone else. That made it easier for him to start a successful software business.

    The interesting thing is, if he had been born just 5 years later, he might not have had such success because by the late 1970s many, many more people had access to computers and were great programmers. His advantage would not have been there.

    So, sometimes, it does seem that context plays a part in leadership and success.
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  • Profile picture of the author 2010MAVRIK
    Its not like that leaders are born leaders, leadership can be developed. Every one can be a good leader if he/she wants to be.
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