Assignment 2: Discussion—Are Leaders Born Or Made?

Assignment 2: Discussion—Are Leaders Born or Made? Top-level managers have a greater need for interpersonal and decision-making skills than technical skills. Middle-level managers have a balanced need for all three skill sets. First-level managers have a greater need for technical and interpersonal skills than decision-making skills. So, are leaders born or made?

Effective leadership remains a subject of ongoing debate among scholars and practitioners, with many asserting that leadership qualities are both innate and developable. The question of whether leaders are born or made is complex, as research suggests a combination of natural ability and learned skills. According to Lussier and Achua (2012), effective leaders are not solely born or made but possess certain innate qualities that can be cultivated through experience, education, and training. This perspective aligns with the understanding that leadership development is an ongoing process that involves acquiring skills and competencies over time.

Personally, I believe that I am not inherently a "born leader" but have the potential to develop leadership skills through deliberate practice and learning. I have observed that qualities such as effective communication, empathy, and decision-making can be nurtured with effort. For instance, during a group project at work, I took the initiative to coordinate team efforts, delegate tasks, and provide support to colleagues. This experience demonstrated that leadership skills can be cultivated through proactive engagement and learning from experiences, rather than being purely innate traits.

Leadership manifests in various roles, each with distinct expectations and behaviors. As a figurehead, a team leader I worked under exemplified the importance of representing the organization positively. During a client presentation, the leader’s professionalism and confidence helped build trust, resulting in a successful deal. In the role of a leader, I once stepped up during a crisis by making quick decisions to mitigate a project risk, demonstrating the necessity of decisive action and confidence in leadership. When performing managerial duties, a supervisor I observed motivated the team by recognizing achievements, fostering a positive work environment. Each role’s behavior had predominantly positive consequences, enhancing team morale, client confidence, and project success. These experiences underscored that effective leadership behaviors significantly influence outcomes and future performance by building trust, demonstrating competence, and inspiring others.

In conclusion, leadership is a blend of innate qualities and developable skills. While some individuals may possess natural tendencies conducive to leadership, deliberate effort, training, and experiential learning are crucial in honing these abilities. Recognizing the roles of figurehead, leader, and manager helps underline that leadership behaviors, whether positive or negative, have meaningful impacts on organizational success and personal growth. Therefore, continuous development of leadership skills is essential for effective performance in any role.

References

• Lussier, R. N., & Achua, C. F. (2012). Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development (5th ed.). South-Western College Publishing.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications (4th ed.). Free Press.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that Gets Results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.
• Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (2017). The Nature of Leadership (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (2002). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press.
• Bryman, A. (2017). Effective Leadership in Higher Education. Routledge.