Leadership is an observable, learnable set of practices. Leadership is not something mystical and ethereal that cannot be understood by ordinary people. Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with the desire and persistence to lead – to make a difference – can substantially improve their abilities to do so.
- Kouzes and Posner
Base on the first line of this quote we were given in class I would say being a leader could be a learned skill. However base on the second line I would say being a leader is something your born with, something not everyone has. As Kouzes and Ponsner continue they seem to go back to their original argument, that a leader can be made. Based on this back and forth I have come to believe that a leader is both born and made. A natural leader is just that, born with the qualities to be a good leader; but a leader that must learn or continue to learn is a great leader. Based on what we have covered in class so far no all of the attributes a leader needs to posses can be known at birth. Being a good listener or knowing how to work well with others is something I believe is based on trial and error. A big difference between being a born leader vs. a made one would be the will to continue to learn and change from ones mistakes, something I really believe in.
Interesting interpretation of the quote, Elianah. I do not see the same orientation toward "born" leaders in the quote as do you; to me, the second line suggests leadership is not a concept or set of skills which is beyond the ordinary person. That said, I think one can argue, as we have discussed, that certain individuals are born with a set of gifts (to communicate orally; to interact well and gracefully with a diverse set of people) and therefore capable of leading more quickly or more easily. Still, as you allude to at the end, even the most charismatic individuals devoid of a desire or persistence to lead well and grown, will not lead successfully.
ReplyDeleteWatch some of your word choice ("a part" rather than "apart" when talking about being involved in a group, for example.)