Leaders are made not born - An analysis

Definition of Leadership 

Many experts have defined leadership to possess multiple dimensions over the years, Sorensen (2000) provides an insight into the origin of the term “leader”, having first appeared in English language in the 1300’s, and its meaning was “to travel” or “to show the way”. So inherently, at minimum, leaders must show a new way towards a common goal. Furthermore Mullins, (2002) define it as a relationship through which one person influences the behavior or actions of other people. Thereby considering both concepts leadership can be understood as an action where people influenced and captivated through inspiration or a motivation, to proceed through a shared vision. 

Leaders are Born 

Understanding the lives of key leaders in the past, by reviewing their behavior and biography is way of analyzing the characteristics of the leader so that the conceptualization can be comprehended. This form of study has been called “Great Man Theory” explained by Richard & Marcic (2003) where the author explains that a person is born with the eligibility that is created to be a leader. For an example Prince Charles is considered a leader because he was born to the British Monarchy, Namal Rajapakse is considered a leader because he’s born to Rajapakse family and for his inherited wealth and political stature. Another scenario is where, a school teacher appointing a class monitor considering the size and height of the student with the assumption of the capacity to be a leader, judging by the appearance.

Later on “Trait Theory” was introduced to understand the concept of leadership where certain natural abilities have created leaders (Blake & Mouton, 1964). Throughout history it is observed that some great leaders emerge over time and there are many evidences that indicate their overall impact to the people around the world. In more recent times, Leaders such as like Mahatma Gandhi, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King can be considered as impactful personalities, where natural abilities such as self-drive, ambition and integrity have been the base to identify them.

Leaders are Made

“You must admit that the genesis of a great man depends on the long series of complex influences which has produced the race in which he appears, and the social state into which that race has slowly grown, before he can remake his society, his society must make him” - Spencer, 1896. 

Therefore, by this statement it can be derived that the society or the environment in which the leader has lived or has grown up in, fosters him/her to be a leader, and only then he/she can take all his/her experiences and lead and transform the society for a positive change. Furthermore, Lewin, Lippitt, & White (1939) explains that behavior of people can be transcribed to 3 dimensions; Authoritarian, Participative and Delegative, where leadership is evaluated. 

                                          

                                   Figure 1.1 – 3 styles model (Lewin, Lippitt, & White, 1939)

This model leads to the argument that each leader who is created by their own society and their behaviors can be transformed into a perfect leader by creating a hybrid of all three dimensions. 

Considering the previous model it’s inevitable that leadership is a skill that needs to be practiced and harnessed, which is intertwined with other skills such as effective communication and innovation. This argument further amplifies with the 5 practices for exemplary leadership (Kouzes & Posner, 2003);

1. Model the way – Being a role model to the team.

2. Inspire a shared vision – Facilitating a shared vision.  

3. Challenge the process – Encouraging new ideas and innovation.

4. Enable others to act – Empowering the team members.

5. Encourage the heart – Recognition and acknowledgement.

                                

Figure 1.2 – The level 5 leadership hierarchy (Collins, 2019)

With the introduction of 5 levels of leadership hierarchy, Collins (2019), explains the simple fact that each person in the world can be considered as a highly capable individual but this individual gradually becomes a competent leader by acquiring skills and capabilities to make progress in the hierarchy with reference to the diagram  shown in figure 1.2.  

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

Furthermore, reflecting personal experience of being the National Director of a youth organization named Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) has provided me the experience in working with youth volunteers who were the largest stakeholders in the organization.  Unlike other organizations, where employees are driven for compensation or monetary rewards, volunteers are solely driven by passion for the cause and for the feeling of comradery, therefore, leadership is an integral part of sustaining the volunteer contribution to the organization. Thereby, to be an effective leader, I had to adapt to certain values that would match the team, which required skill development. Considering the 5-level leadership hierarchy (Collins, 2019) I was at level-3 where my skill level was being a competent manager. To gain the trust and to ensure effective leadership at the highest level, I enrolled myself to skills development programs that would strengthen my ability to direct a team towards a collective vision, while enhancing my facilitating skills to be an effective communicator. This transformation I gained through acquiring skills and applying the learning on a daily-basis, enabled me to be a leader for over a network of 200 volunteers around the country. The process led me to acquire attributes such as fearlessness, discipline and confidence coupled with emotional intelligence, ensuring that I had the innate ability to identify needs of the volunteers, while attempting to be an effective leader.

These leadership principles provide an encouraging platform for the team to be motivated and to perform at the highest level. Looking closely at each reference and theories explained by academics and professionals, and connecting them with the personal experience provides an indication that 'leadership' is a skill that I have harnessed over the years through practice and application. Although the statement 'Leaders are born' has its own perspective and relevance in the world, the statement 'Leaders are made, not born' has a greater personal reference and experience that solidifies the argument for me.