Leadership: Born or Made?

Organizations and People 1
Organizations and People
Name
Institution
Discuss the concept of a leader. Is a leader born or made? Reflect in your discussion not
only on B628 course material particularly chapter 7 but also on the article in hand. Reflect
in your discussion on how the author sees the leader from both theoretical and personal
experience (word limit: 1000 words).
Leaders are people given the authority and power to be in charge of either an organization,
company or any institution. Leaders are either appointed by people or elected. However, people
cannot really tell why they entrust some of them to be leaders. However, the leaders themselves
know that they are leaders and have the ability and skills required by a leader (Griffin &
Moorhead, 2011, NP). In today’s world, leadership has become a challenge since there are two
types of leaders. Leaders who are born with leadership skills appear to be aggressive, time
conscious, and understanding when it comes to leading. However, leaders who acquired
leadership skills through learning seem to have a problem which cannot be easily solved. These
types of leaders are most likely to lead for a particular period of time, and then leave or get
demoted as a result of failure to meet the set goals or target. True leaders must have interest in
leadership, and must be having the urge to lead, even in charitable activities such as church
services. These leaders feel that they have a responsibility to carry out in this world, which is
leading the people towards the right directions. Leaders born with skills know how to deal with
mistakes, and therefore do not require a lot of effort to solve issues in organizations or
institutions.

Organizations and People 2
Leaders who get leadership skills through learning are also better leaders, compared to those who
stay behind when leaders are being called out. There is no way someone can prove to be a true
leader, other than showing up all the time when leaders are called out. True leaders are confident,
punctual and willing to be recognized whenever possible. This does not require the genius part of
leadership, but instead calls out for the inner feeling, which makes up a human being (Carleton,
2011, PG 459). To differentiate a worker and a leader, one has to identify some characteristics
which will show that there is a worker and a leader at their presence. In a context where there are
no segregated places for leaders, it is usually difficult tom differentiate between the leaders and
the rest of the people. However, there are other potential leaders in the congregation who can be
able to differentiate the two groups. Such people with such kinds of talents are also leaders, and
have birth leadership skills in them. They can therefore lead without being instructed, but
through observation, interaction and practice.
However, we are not saying that those in leadership classes are trying to reach an unknown
destination. We are only trying to say that they are leaders by acquired leadership skills. In the
world, we have leaders who have made it to the top, by acquiring skills (Pak, & Paroubek, 2010,
NP). However, they have become leaders after struggling for a long period of time. These
include the Amazon founder; amongst others who have created interest in the field of leadership,
and have lead the world in the field of invention. Leading does not only mean that one has to be
the head of a certain organization which has visible people. Today, everything depends on
technology, and everybody has shifted from manual work to digital and online jobs.
The author says that leaders are born, and others acquire skills. On my side, leaders can either be
born or can acquire skills to become leaders. Acquiring skills is a type of leadership that has been
taking place in many organizations (Den Ouden, 2011 NP). This has contributed much in the

Organizations and People 3
leadership studies, since leaders are made. The largest percentage of leaders in the world is that
of leaders who are made, compared to leaders who are born. Though I agree with the statement
that leaders are born, to some extent, I will part with the other statement that leaders are made.
For instance, when children are born, they cannot be called leaders. They have to learn from the
surrounding where they acquire knowledge. These children learn through observation, and
curiosity. All leaders pass through this process (Drucker, 2016, NP). Not only leaders do pass
through this stage, but also everybody in this world passed through that stage. Potential leaders
then start to be seen right away after being enrolled in school. Potential leaders show their
leading skills at the school-going age. At this point, we keep age constant, and consider skills,
abilities and behaviors of potential leaders. For instance teachers can just appoint someone to
become a leader without consulting (Holbeche. &Mayo, 2009 NP). After enquiring the
willingness of the student, the student would agree without hesitating. This student can be said to
have leadership qualities, and skills, and therefore born to be a leader. Therefore, leaders who
are born have confidence, tolerance, and are always willing to lead whenever another leader is
absent. They do not wait for events to be late, but stand to fill the gap whenever possible.
Leaders by birth are good problem solvers, and do not face challenges when it comes to solving
problems. They solve problems in their own way, and make sure that they come up with a
genuine resolution that will not part in either side. However, according to the author recommends
that leaders are 80% made, and 20% born. However, leaders who are born still acquire skills
through learning, observing and experience (Scott & Davis, 2015 NP). The author is correct
since all leaders who have the courage to lead are leaders, and have the potential to influence
other potential leaders into leadership. However, there will always be a difference when it comes
to leaers who are made and leaders who are born. They will never match. Considering the