Leaders – Born Or Taught?

Frequently during conversations with scholars in the field of management, the topic will come up are leaders created or are leader’s plain, pure and simply natural born leaders. During an interview with the great guitarist Carlos Santana the question of; are great guitarist taught or are they naturally great? I mean, how does one teach how to play a guitar the way Jimmy Hendrix played a guitar or Carlos Santana? Well, after talking about some basic guitar strings and how to get certain sounds from them, Mr. Santana came to the conclusion that one has to have a “God given talent”. Now I venture say that Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Santana are and were leaders in their chosen career in playing some outstanding music and that we probably ought to give some credence to Mr. Santana’s view about executing competently regarding natural talent versus taught talent.

The same scenario holds true in management. If we say that leadership can be taught in the classroom would it be fair to also say that we can teach charisma in the classroom? Can we agree that charisma is a variable in leadership that is of necessity in order to lead? If charisma can be taught as part of the curriculum to pass a leadership test, how do we teach a naturally born introvert who is a genius that he must be more charismatic in order for that person to be better rounded as a leader. In my view one can teach charismatic leadership but with certain limitations and certain expectations with certain expected outcomes.

Many leadership pundits have a perspective that leadership is both a God given talent and taught. From my years of experience in management I have observed leaders and managers who supervise people to have the skills to lead; representing the naturally born gifted leader and the taught leader. And, I must say in all fairness; it sure helps to have some natural born talent to go along with the educationally taught variable. However, as leadership comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes, situations, and occasions; let’s keep in mind that leadership greatness comes under many unforeseen circumstances that often times was neither taught nor naturally gifted but rather an emotional response to a situation. For example let’s look at the heroic solider who under enemy fire decides to throw himself on a grenade in order to save the men around him. Without thinking of the circumstances the solider takes on a leadership role autonomously. This solider was not taught to jump on a grenade nor was he naturally born to throw himself on grenades but rather emotional leadership took over. The state of affairs during battle is what I call impromptu leadership or leadership under crises. The situation when someone step up to the plate and takes charge not thinking of something someone taught him or her but rather a reactionary leadership response to get it done and get it done quickly.

There are some basic elements that will be required in order to lead as one cannot lead simply by saying one day I will be a leader. No, if one does not have some basic deep-seated roots of leadership driven desires; coupled with skills; hell will freeze over first before that particular individual will ever be a leader. As someone once said you can’t make chicken salad out of baloney you need chicken. The same holds true with leadership development one has to have internal and external fortitude in order to lead.

What many fail to realize is that personal development is perhaps the most important ingredient to leadership development. Personal development: educationally, socially, culturally, economically and psychologically are all elements that will be required to lead and if one does not have their personal chart in order, leadership will practically be impossible.

Yes, I understand leadership is not for everyone, but, anyone who is thrown into a particular situation or who desires to be involved with a particular venture or cause has the right to fight on and possibly be a leader. If one is willing to be an advocate, perspire, and lay their head on the line, then that person has earned the right to lead. Let’s not forget that as long as we have been led, and we have followed and we have been part of a learning team situation then hopefully basic fundamentals of leadership have been acquired along the way. And, guess what, that person may not be a natural born God given talented leader nor even a taught leader but rather one who will lead through the enthusiasm of doing the right thing in our world.

By: Dr. Richard C. Baiz, D.B.A.

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If you would like more from Dr. Richard C. Baiz, D.B.A. on Personal and Leadership Development and his Leadership Institute click on the the link provided: www.leadershipinstituteofsuccess.comDr. Baiz is a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is a College and Corporate Personal and Leadership Development Instructor and Coach.