Leaders are Made, Not Born: Examples and Debate Points Essay

Leaders Are Made, not Born Introduction

According to Gregory (2009), a leader is an individual who has the capacity and desire to inspire and influence his or her subjects. There has been a lot of debate on whether a leader is born or made. Some people believe that a great leader has some inborn attributes, while others are confident that leadership abilities, just like other skills, can be learned with time. It is vital to agree that leadership is a vital provision; nonetheless, great leaders are not born with their abilities, they are made.

Leaders Are Made, not Born: Debate Points

First, most leaders neither carry forward their legacy nor do their backgrounds suggest they can make good leaders. For example, children of great leaders do not necessarily become leaders. This shows that leadership skills are not hereditary traits but skills learned through many processes. In the global arena, Obama’s parents were never leaders; however, their son (Barrack Obama) has managed to nurture his leadership skills to lead the greatest nation in the world. In this context, the greatest leaders are not born. They are made as indicated earlier.

Usually, it starts with a personal decision to become a leader. However, there are certain attributes that constitute good leadership abilities that are inborn. One such attribute is intelligence. A leader should be intelligent enough to make the right decisions in any kind of situation. For example, Nelson Mandela of South Africa managed to nurture his leadership skills.

Generally, leadership skills are hardly hereditary abilities. An individual who eventually becomes a great leader undergoes many learning processes. They study other leaders, try to imitate their conduct, and select their role models. Most American leaders have chosen Abraham Lincoln as their role model due to his intelligence and leadership prowess (Pace, 2006). Of course, great leaders can falter; however, they can improve their skills with the feedback they get from different people. This helps them develop into great leaders since they are able to transform their behaviors for the better (Gill, 2012).

Leaders Are Made, not Born Conclusion

It is vital to agree that most great leaders are not born with abilities and legendary leadership skills. Prominent leaders like Barrack Obama have struggled for ages to attain their status quo and nurture their leadership skills. In order to become a great leader, one has to develop interest, endure, listen to mentors, and transform appropriately. One does not need to be born a leader so as to lead appropriately.

References

Gill, R. (2012). Theory and Practice of Leadership. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publishers

Gregory, A. (2009). Great leaders are born or made?