We have discussed one timeless question for centuries: "Are leaders born or made?" Certain
predispositions, such as personality characteristics, could provide an additional benefit of
being a leader concerning the statement “leaders are born not made.” It is certainly not
possible to argue against other variables such as the genetic line that one can acquire. While
some other scholars argue to differ, for example, William A Cohen argues that “Lack of
leadership ability can be corrected with training and a little motivation most of the time [1]."
And another fascinating article written by the American Psychological Association on the
topic of leadership discussed on how is a leader made. [2] These different views spark some
very interesting debate, and we will be discussing some of those later.
Now, who does not know about Microsoft? The founder of this successful corporation is Bill
Gates, I believe many people have heard of his name before. I must say he is the perfect
example of a person who made a hard effort in attaining leadership skills. When you think of
an IT specialist, what do you have in mind? Social butterfly? Chatterbox? Or a life of party? I
must guess none of the list above popped up in your mind. Unfortunately, they're not
necessarily descriptors associated with IT professionals. People imagine young Bill Gates in
as most people think of techies. Socially awkward, nerdy. The list keeps running. “Isn’t this
just a stereotype?” some may ask, but in this case, Gate personally acknowledges he was
what people assumed. He said during one of the Reddit AMA sessions that if he could travel
back to time to develop his communication skills and also boost his self-awareness skills. He
wanted to have a great network of people with him. He would boost his attitude if he could,
and decrease his geekiness by going back in time. [3]
Communication is a central role of leadership and the main attribute of a successful leader.
Effective engagement and productive management are closely intertwined. At the
organisational level, in societies and groups, and even on a global scale, leaders need to be
skilled communicators in countless relationships. Being a leader nowadays is not a “behind
the scenes” job, they are expected to engage with team members, managers and even
clients daily. Every year Gate is required to give multiple talks to the general public, giving
an overview of their new products or plans. Gates understood that and worked on
improving his self-awareness and skills. Try to keep himself in the shoes of his clients to
understand the issues clearly and can make relevant attempts to solve them. If he had not
improved on himself and remained as a “geeky tech guy”, I am sure he would not have the
success he has now. Indeed, he was not fortunate enough to be born with some qualities of
being a leader, but he does not lack the ability to be able to reflect and learn from other
people and his own experiences, which is as well important for a leader, he learnt to be
empathetic, social, communicative and so much more and thus the success of Microsoft.
You may argue that some people are born with all the quality required as a leader, the
perfect personality and visionary. But trust does not come easy, unless you are the heir of
the royal family then just maybe, trust comes easily, but it doesn’t mean it does not need to
predispositions, such as personality characteristics, could provide an additional benefit of
being a leader concerning the statement “leaders are born not made.” It is certainly not
possible to argue against other variables such as the genetic line that one can acquire. While
some other scholars argue to differ, for example, William A Cohen argues that “Lack of
leadership ability can be corrected with training and a little motivation most of the time [1]."
And another fascinating article written by the American Psychological Association on the
topic of leadership discussed on how is a leader made. [2] These different views spark some
very interesting debate, and we will be discussing some of those later.
Now, who does not know about Microsoft? The founder of this successful corporation is Bill
Gates, I believe many people have heard of his name before. I must say he is the perfect
example of a person who made a hard effort in attaining leadership skills. When you think of
an IT specialist, what do you have in mind? Social butterfly? Chatterbox? Or a life of party? I
must guess none of the list above popped up in your mind. Unfortunately, they're not
necessarily descriptors associated with IT professionals. People imagine young Bill Gates in
as most people think of techies. Socially awkward, nerdy. The list keeps running. “Isn’t this
just a stereotype?” some may ask, but in this case, Gate personally acknowledges he was
what people assumed. He said during one of the Reddit AMA sessions that if he could travel
back to time to develop his communication skills and also boost his self-awareness skills. He
wanted to have a great network of people with him. He would boost his attitude if he could,
and decrease his geekiness by going back in time. [3]
Communication is a central role of leadership and the main attribute of a successful leader.
Effective engagement and productive management are closely intertwined. At the
organisational level, in societies and groups, and even on a global scale, leaders need to be
skilled communicators in countless relationships. Being a leader nowadays is not a “behind
the scenes” job, they are expected to engage with team members, managers and even
clients daily. Every year Gate is required to give multiple talks to the general public, giving
an overview of their new products or plans. Gates understood that and worked on
improving his self-awareness and skills. Try to keep himself in the shoes of his clients to
understand the issues clearly and can make relevant attempts to solve them. If he had not
improved on himself and remained as a “geeky tech guy”, I am sure he would not have the
success he has now. Indeed, he was not fortunate enough to be born with some qualities of
being a leader, but he does not lack the ability to be able to reflect and learn from other
people and his own experiences, which is as well important for a leader, he learnt to be
empathetic, social, communicative and so much more and thus the success of Microsoft.
You may argue that some people are born with all the quality required as a leader, the
perfect personality and visionary. But trust does not come easy, unless you are the heir of
the royal family then just maybe, trust comes easily, but it doesn’t mean it does not need to
