LEADERS ARE BORN or MADE

LEADERS ARE BORN or MADE

This  article argue an  age  old  question  of  whether  leaders  are  born  or  made. The article considers  various  leadership  theories  and  discusses  different  viewpoints  to consider this question.

The argument began when Thomas Carlyle formulated the “great man theory” to describe leaders who radically shaped and impacted society. He argued that leaders with incredible leadership prowess and qualities rise to the top and impact others around them. The theory, developed in the 1840s, gave the sense that great leaders are born and society is formed around them. If you ascribe to the “great man theory,” then one is either born a great leader or not.

Behavioral Theories believe that people can become leaders through the process of teaching, learning and observation. Leadership is a set of skills that can be learned by training, perception, practice and experience over time. Leadership learning is lifetime activity. Good leaders seek out development opportunities that will help them learn new skills.

Behavioral Theories believe that people can become leaders through the process of teaching, learning and observation. Leadership is a set of skills that can be learned by training, perception, practice and experience over time. Leadership learning is lifetime activity.

Conclusion. In my concern, leaders can be made which means it is accessible for all people and can be learned as a behavior. There are no born leaders. However, all humans born with unique strengths and it enable to be a successful leader.

References

1. Stogdill RM. Handbook of Leadership: A Survey of Theory and Research. New York, NY: The Free Press; 1974.