Are leaders born or made?

Of course leaders are born, we all are born!

The key question is, does a leader have special DNA in them that kick starts their leadership abilities? I don’t think so, and I’ll tell you why.

On a personal note for the first 16 years of my life I just coasted through life. That meaning that I accepted things as they happened. Then the following year I decided that I had had enough of life passing me by and decided to get very involved with the boarding school I went to. At the year end ceremonies I was recognized by the school with a Student Leadership Award. Getting this award for helping other was was not expected. Although it surely changed the way I looked at leadership. Leadership for me was now all about helping others and contributing. It was all about making a difference, and was not about bossing people around to get what I wanted.

What have been the results of this? I was elected to our local school board at 33 years old. I became the youngest chairman of that school board at age 36. I was chairman of the board for 4 years and re-elected by the public 3 times on 3 year cycles. In fact the last election I participated in I let my name stand for both school board and city council. I got elected to both. I don’t say this to impress you I say it to show you what is possible with the right attitude.

So what does that have to do with leadership? I believe true leaders are developed from the inside out. If a leader is good, they will take care of those with an interest or concern in something. They will do what they believe is right and respond to the concerns of those who are bothered by the decisions.

What can you do today that will show your leadership skills?