How does the "nature versus nurture" debate apply to leadership? Are leaders born or can they be developed?
You have probably heard people being described as "natural leaders" - well, what does that mean anyway? What are these innate capabilities that make up a leader? I don’t see a cookie-cutter type in successful leaders, so how can somebody be a "natural leader" anyway?
I have (obviously) been thinking a lot about this lately.
First of all, I think many people confuse management and leadership. To me, management skills are developed through learning and education.
Management skills are the technical aspects of being a leader - communication, running projects, and managing people. It is important to study your business and understand your company ‘s strategy - this isn’t something you can know innately. You need to put effort into it.
On the people side, you can learn and understand your company’s HR policies and processes and company values. You can learn the mechanics of how to give people formal and informal feedback.
Back to leadership - us extroverted personality types probably have a slight advantage over our introverted cousins because we naturally take up a lot more airtime. But over the years I have met many effective, quiet leaders. Why?
If you think of management skills as the "what" leaders do, then think of interpersonal skills as the "how" they deliver.
I am starting to think that "natural leaders" are those who understand their "how". The more you know your own style and strengths, the more effective you can be with others.
Does this mean if you "learn" about yourself you can be a "natural" leader? Have I come full circle back to "nurture"?
I have personally never tried to read science-fiction before, but you make these books sound so wonderfully amazing that even if I don’t win, I’ll have to go out and buy the series (right after I buy formula for the baby of course - Diploma lol)! I had an inkling, but was not positive earn diploma about the Lynn Viehl connection. I have recently gotten a hold of most of the Darkyn series, haven’t started it yet, but now I simply must! Thank you so much for the recommendation it means so much more to me when it is coming from a fellow author! prior learning - home school curriculum - Online GED