Is A Leader Made Or Born? Answers To Comments

[Peter Fogel]

Before I continue with part 2 & 3 of the series Is a Leader Made or Born, I would like to reply to the interesting comments made to my first article.

We are all born with certain qualities and traits but as in all things we weren't born the same. Everything in life has to be learned and the fact of the matter is that even with siblings that are raised in the same home understand things differently from each other. There are commonalities but the differences are obvious to all.

There are those that have inborn athletic abilities, intellectual capabilities, language abilities etc. But we all know people that were considered to be geniuses in high school and everyone thought they would be great successes but the consistent learners, those that made the effort to learn and get ahead became the success stories and many of the geniuses fell by the wayside. This is in a sense is proof that all knowledge and abilities are learned qualities and the inborn traits aren't to be depended upon for certain success.

A few made comments about spiritual leaders and I totally agree that it is a form of leadership that wasn't specifically mentioned in the article but can be compared to the Motivational leaders in a way. This is an important form of leadership that has been badly misused by a few unethical religious leaders that were out for personal gain only and used their "rhetoric and preaching abilities" for their own personal gain. Luckily they are few and far between and the majority has the good and well being of their followers at heart.

The Spiritual leaders as the Motivational leader try and bring out the best in people. In different ways of course but there are great similarities in these leaders. It might be an interesting topic to investigate and write about.

Lidia, I enjoyed reading your thoughts and believe that much of what you wrote is true and very similar in concept to what I wrote. As usual it's a pleasure.

Joyce, your insight is always appreciated and yes so many are out there that haven't got a clue about the "source" of their actions or the latest Icon they've embraced. I know you love movies J but sometimes a history lesson beyond what the movie can impart is necessary.

The article wasn't written in order to single out individuals but as a source of debate and discussion of what leadership qualities should be in the different types of leaders. I think a general consensus so far is that a leader isn't born but made and as you know I too agree with the consensus.

Here is a summary of what I think the basic qualities of a leader are.

*** A leader leads by example and doesn't use others as fronts or to hide behind.

*** A true leader Talks the Talk & Walks the Talk and doesn't change the talk and the walk when convenient.

*** A true leader has to be consistent. That doesn't mean that change never happens of course it does but as a natural chain of events and not as a stop gap for personal issues.

*** A true leader is not a short term thinker. He will never forfeit his integrity for a short term gain or profit.

*** A true leader is by nature a courageous person. That doesn't mean that he has no fear but that he faces fear and takes action in spite of his fears.

*** A true leader deals with facts and reality. He can strive for change but until that comes about he deals with things as they are and not as he would like them to be.

*** A true leader is above all honest and ethical.

Once again I thank you for reading and would appreciate your comments.

Peter Fogel

http://www.isorotator.com/rotator/?id=9221