A Question of Leadership

In my professional work around the country, there is one question I am always asked.

Are leaders born or made?

I have concluded that the answer is ... NEITHER!

First of all, we must define this word leader.

The American Heritage Dictionary says the following about a "leader": One that guides, is in command of others or in charge; has influence or power.

Well, maybe. Doesn't someone who leads require others to follow? I have known those in charge or with influence or power who have surely driven others. But over time those followers went elsewhere, because they refused to follow any longer. I suppose the real challenge is to define what leadership is all about, assuming others will be there to be led -- over time.

Myles Monroe, noted evangelist and leadership expert out of the Caribbean, is most honest in his comments on leadership: "Leadership is like beauty; it is very difficult to define. But -- you know it when you see it."

Tom Peters says leadership is about tapping the wellsprings of human motivation.

Here is a different take from the late Coach of Army Football, Colonel Earl "Red" Blake: "Good fellows are a dime a dozen, but an aggressive leader is priceless."

Vince Lombardi, the immortal NFL coaching icon said, "Leaders are made, and they are made by effort and hard work."

Here's a provocative description of leadership as authenticity -- I wish I could remember where I heard it: "Becoming a leader is becoming who you really are!"

Born, or made? Which is it?

How about neither? The way I see it, "Leadership is a CHOICE!"

Yes, I am of the radical belief that comes out of much research and is articulated by Rev. Monroe: "We are all destined to lead -- but some of us are bound to follow."

OUCH!

This is such a great topic, because it is really about each of us being his or her best. Even if "leadership" doesn't turn you on, the prospect of firing on all cylinders, ... of being the best "you" you have in you, ... that should turn you on!

I will be adding more in the days to come, but invite your comments and thoughts in the meantime.

In fact, the book I am busy writing these days, What About Now? The Secrets of a Rich Man, will identify the many steps required to live well and lead -- if that is what you CHOOSE to do with the life entrusted to you.

Stay tuned!

Comments

[Mandy]

I agree with you, I feel that anyone can be a leader at any point in time. I think people are more apt to becoming a leader in a situation they are most comfortable in or where their level of expertise makes them confident enough to rise to leadership role.

Here is an article on msn I found that discusses this same topic. There are some interesting comments made in there. Here is my favorite. "You're not born to be a leader any more than you're born to be an architect or a doctor," says Cronin.

Read this site. http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Departments/elearning/?article=CanLeadershipBeLearned

[Jimmy]

Prospective leaders have to make that choice of whether they want to lead or not, but they often are cultivated by other leaders. I personally think that many "leaders" are drawn in or made to be. It is not until they are in it for a while that the choice truly comes into play. I know that many times I find myself just kind of put in the leader position by the people I work with. What I do with it at that point is up to me.
I know you will argue that I made the choice when I first walked in the door, deciding that I would be the best that I could be and hope that kind of attitude would creep into others. Maybe that is true, but that is not so much about wanting to lead as wanting to be great within myself and my work and having a desire to work with other like-minded people.
Team-builder, coach, cheerleader? Maybe. I like to think of myself as a quarterback. Not necessarily the leader, but the person who must perform and help others to perform as well. Maybe I am the waterboy or the trainer. Hey, I am the trainer. Now it all makes sense.