leaders are born or made

Organizational Behavior

“Leaders are Born or Made”

Submitted By:

Asia Samreen Rabia Atique

Table of ContentsSUMMARY..................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................4


LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................................5

What is Leadership?.................................................................................................................5

What is a leader?.......................................................................................................................5

What is a supervisor?................................................................................................................6

What is a manager?...................................................................................................................6

Behavioral Theories..................................................................................................................7

Trait Theories............................................................................................................................7

RELEVANT RESEARCHES.......................................................................................................8

Leaders are Sort of Born...........................................................................................................8

Leaders are Always Made........................................................................................................8

A Leader's Growth is Never Done............................................................................................9

Being A Born Leader Means Nothing Unless You Are.........................................................10

A Growing Leader..................................................................................................................10

Duties of Leaders....................................................................................................................11

Are Leaders Born or Made?...................................................................................................12

By David Garic.......................................................................................................................12

Leadership: do traits matter?..................................................................................................13

Shelley A. Kirkpatrick & Edwin A. Locke, University of Maryland................................13

Great Leaders are Made, Not Born.........................................................................................14

Bryant Nielson made a research in 2008................................................................................15

Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D. Chief Enlightenment Officer The Leadership Success Institute...................................................................................................................................16

Conclusion..................................................................................................................................17

References...................................................................................................................................18

Organizational Behavior 2


SUMMARY

Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a

common goal. The basis of good leadership is honorable character and selfless service

to your organization. Leadership differs in that it makes the followers want to achieve

high goals, rather than simply bossing people around.

For centuries people have debated whether leaders are born or made. Several decades

ago researchers started trying to answer the question. The debate goes on, even though

we know the answer.

The born leaders have inbuilt leadership qualities, where as, the made leaders acquire

the leadership skills after having been put through the situation in which they have to

lead the masses and the skills of leadership can only be learned through experience.

In today's industry, we have many managers and supervisors, but few of them are

leaders. A leader is someone others are willing to follow, almost without question.

Leaders are recognized not chosen. Leaders have something within that the others just

don't have. It is an intangible characteristic that can't be explained, but when you see it,

you will recognize it.

“Not every leader is born and not every person can be

groomed to be a leader”



INTRODUCTION

Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a

common goal. Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to

accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more

cohesive and coherent.

Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs,

values, ethics, character, knowledge, and skills. Although your position as a manager,

supervisor, lead, etc. gives you the authority to accomplish certain tasks and objectives

in the organization, this power does not make you a leader, it simply makes you the

boss. Leadership differs in that it makes the followers want to achieve high goals, rather

than simply bossing people around.

The basis of good leadership is honorable character and selfless service to your

organization. For centuries people have debated whether leaders are born or made.

Several decades ago researchers started trying to answer the question. The debate goes

on, even though we know the answer. The born leaders have inbuilt leadership

qualities, where as, the made leaders acquire the leadership skills after having been put

through the situation in which they have to lead the masses and the skills of leadership

can only be learned through experience.

The objective of the study is whether the Leaders are Born or Made.



LITERATURE REVIEW

In today's industry, we have many managers and supervisors, but few of them are

leaders. In addition, it is also true that not every leader is a good manager, or

supervisor, but every leader can be taught to be a good one.

What is Leadership?

According to John Maxwell “Leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing else”

then we are all leaders. After all, everyone has some level of influence along the line.

Couple that with the fact that being a leader means we have at least one follower – then

again ‘yes’ we are all leaders – even if it’s self leadership.

“To a degree we are all leaders”

What is a leader?

By definition, a leader is a person who rules or guides or inspires others.

A leader is someone others are willing to follow, almost without question. They may

not always make the right decision, but they are confident in the decisions that they

make. They are not afraid to admit when they are wrong, and they know when to

change direction when an inappropriate choice has been made. For, even after a few

mistakes, a true leader will not lose the confidence of his/her followers.

“Leaders are recognized, not chosen”

In short, leaders have something within that the others just don't have. It is an

intangible characteristic that can't be explained, but when you see it, you will recognize

it.



What is a supervisor?

By definition, a supervisor is 'a person who exercises major administrative functions

over another employee, or employees. These functions are hiring, evaluating, assigning

work, disciplining, and dismissing. In most cases, one step below a manager, a

supervisor is just that, a person who supervises. Creativity is welcomed, but in most

cases, the direction is provided by the manager, and the immediate overseeing is done

by the supervisor.

What is a manager?

By definition, a manager is 'an individual charged with the responsibility for overseeing

resources and processes.' Managers are more creative than supervisors. Their sole duty

is to manage budgets, people, major tasks and projects, and time.

Managers administer, leaders innovate

Managers ask how and when, leaders ask what and why

Managers do things right, leaders do the right things

Managers maintain, leaders develop

Managers copy, leaders show originality

Managers have a short-term perspective, leaders have a longer-term perspective

“Warren Bennis”



Behavioral Theories

According to this theory there are specific behaviors that identify leaders so we could teach

leadership by designing programs that implant these behavioral patterns in individuals who

desire to be effective leaders. If training work we could have an infinite supply of effective

leaders.

“We could train people to be leaders”.

(Robbins.et.al.,2008)

Trait Theories

Trait theories of leadership differentiate leaders from non -leaders by focusing on personal

qualities and characteristics. It considers personality, social, physical or intellectual attributes

that would describe leaders and differentiate them from non- leaders.

“Leaders are born rather than made”.

(Robbins.et.al.,2008)



RELEVANT RESEARCHES

Leaders are Sort of Born

It seems like there's only one thing that a person needs to actually be born with in order

to be a leader later in life. That's intelligence.

A leader needs to be smart enough. Effective leaders aren't necessarily the smartest

people in the room or the company or even on the team. But they have to be smart

enough to do the job they're assigned.

What's more important is what kind of person the potential leader is when he or she

becomes an adult. The person who emerges from adolescence into young adulthood has

the psychological and character traits they'll demonstrate for the rest of their life. Some

of those matter for leadership. “Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas”

Leaders are Always Made

According to “Geeks and Geezers” Leadership can be learned by anyone with the

basics. Leaders learn about 80 percent of their craft on the job. They learn from

watching other leaders and emulating their behavior. They choose role models and seek

out mentors. They ask other leaders about how to handle situations.

“Everybody has to learn the job, that’s why leaders

are always made”

Effective leaders look for training programs that will help them develop specific skills

that they can use on the job.

Leaders improve by getting feedback and using it. The best leaders seek feedback from

their boss, their peers and their subordinates. Then they modify their behavior so that

they get better results.



“Marshall Goldsmith and Howard Morgan” studied the progress of 88,000

managers who had been to leadership development training. The people who returned

from the training, talked about it, and did deliberate work to apply their learning were

judged as becoming more effective leaders. The ones who didn't showed no

improvement.

A Leader's Growth is Never Done

Leadership learning is a lifetime activity. You're never done because there's always

more to learn. There are always skills you need to improve.

Effective leaders seek out development opportunities that will help them learn new

skills. Those might be project assignments or job changes. What they have in common

is that the leader develops knowledge and skills that can be used elsewhere.

There's no magic formula for developing quality leaders in your company. But if you

select potential leaders with the essential traits, then support them with training,

feedback, on-the-job learning and development experiences and hold them accountable

for results, you'll have the leaders you need to shape your company's future.

“Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas”



Being A Born Leader Means Nothing Unless You Are

A Growing Leader

A growing leader inspires so much more. I would rather follow a growing leader than a

born leader. For me leadership is organic; it is a continual process of development and

change. It’s not an exact science – it’s a response to people and purpose. It demands

consistent input, shaping.

“Being a born leader is not the same as being a growing leader”

In my experience, people who describe themselves as born leaders tend to assume a

right to lead, either because of job title or past success. As we know, leadership is not a

right to assume, but an honor to earn.

“http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Holloway”

“Leadership involves power by influence”

&

“Management involves power by position”

“Abraham Zaleznik”



Duties of Leaders

Individuals are born with specific traits. These traits include physical characteristics,

intellectual ability and personality. It has been shown via research that some of these traits

are associated with research. These traits include:

Intelligence

Energy

Self-confidence

Dominance

Motivation to lead

Emotional stability

Honesty and integrity

Need for achievement


“Abraham

Zaleznik”


Are Leaders Born or Made?

By David Garic

The age-old question continues to raise its ugly head: Are leaders born to lead, or are they

made? Does Leadership DNA exist?

Fear not, there is hope for the rest of us because here is some very good news: Leadership

DNA is a myth. There is no such thing as a natural ability to lead that exists within some of us

while remaining absent in others. A closer examination of those leaders we often hold in high

regard, those we refer to as role models, will reveal one common characteristic among all of

them. They all have a burning desire to lead, to be influential, motivational, and take

responsibility for themselves and others. What makes these leaders effective is not a natural

ability; it is their desire to lead people, combined with a set of learned skills that they apply as

leaders. The only real ingredient in the leadership recipe that they possessed when they began

leading was desire. They learned the rest of it. The desire to lead was the motivational

ingredient that drove them to lead; the skills they learned along the way are what allowed them

to lead people.

Leaders are developed. Leadership is nothing more than a collection of skills, that when

employed, produce results.

Leaders create the motivational environment for their followers that cause them to want

to achieve.

They are able to easily identify the needs of their followers and direct them on the

pathway to success.

Leaders can skillfully strike the balance between attending to the needs of their

followers while accomplishing the tasks required of them.

Leaders can learn leadership skills in a variety of ways (training, self-study, observing

other leaders) but unless these skills are practiced in realistic and meaningful

experiences they are forgotten.



Some day soon, the argument will end. Until then, for those of us who may be wondering, “Do

I have it or don’t I,” not to fear. It can be done. Start with desire. We can learn the rest.

http://www.myarticlearchive.com/articles/6/211.htm

Leadership: do traits matter?

Shelley A. Kirkpatrick & Edwin A. Locke, University of Maryland

The study of leader traits has a long and controversial history. While research shows that the

possession of certain traits alone does not guarantee leadership success, there is evidence that

effective leaders are different from other people in certain key respects.

Key leader traits include: drive (a broad term which includes achievement, motivation,

ambition, energy, tenacity, and initiative); leadership motivation (the desire to lead but not to

seek power as an end in itself); honesty and integrity; self-confidence (which is associated with

emotional stability); cognitive ability; and knowledge of the business.

There is less clear evidence for traits such as charisma, creativity and flexibility. We believe

that the key leader traits help the leader acquire necessary skills; formulate an organizational

vision and an effective plan for pursuing it; and take the necessary steps to implement the

vision in reality.

http://www.jstor.org/pss/4165007




Great Leaders are Made, Not Born

ã 1998 by William A. Cohen

This research appeared first in Network World, December 21, 1998 and an abbreviated version

in The Journal of Accountancy June, 1999

There are many well-educated and motivated people who lack the knowledge of how to lead

others. So they don’t assume leadership positions, or if they do, they don’t do very well in

them. They and others too, assume that these individuals just weren’t born to be leaders.

This research shows conclusively that effectiveness as a leader depends less on some innate

trait you are born with, and much more on specific principles that anyone can follow.

Conclusion

You may not be able to control or change your boss, or other leaders in your company. So, do

what is right, anyway. Others will soon recognize another "born" leader. If you keep at it, they

may even say you are a great leader. You. However, will know the truth. You may or may not

be a great leader, but you were most definitely made, and not born as one.

http://www.stuffofheroes.com/Great%20Leaders%20are%20Made,%20Not%20Born.htm



Bryant Nielson made a research in 2008

All of us are born with one trait in common: potential. Of course there are many potentials, but

the key in dealing with potential is the stimulus and environment that brings it out.

We're all born with potential - and we can all develop the traits of leadership. That's where you

come in.

Leaders can be made through training and provide proper environment. There are many ways

to encourage a leader-based and entrepreneurial environment. First, you must constantly

encourage people to take action. Remember that speaking out is a leadership characteristic -

your encouragement will allow people to challenge the status quo, innovate old ways of doing

things, and to persuade you and others to follow them. In the same vein, you must persist with

ideas that come to you. Finally, you can provide an environment that promotes informality,

both physically and emotionally.

Conclusion

Leaders are definitely made - not born. But the environment will determine whether potential

leaders can develop their talents - and it's your responsibility to provide it.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Leaders-Are-Made,-Not-Born&id=1054257


http://ezinearticles.com/?Leaders-Are-Made,-Not-Born&id=1054257


Research By:

Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D.Chief Enlightenment OfficerThe Leadership Success Institute

The great debate for the last century has been over whether "leaders are born, or leaders are

made." There have been are biographies, books and articles, and more recently movies and

television coverage about good and bad leadership. A combination of externice senior

leadership experience and strong business background all led Howard Edward Haller to write

this article on the topic, are Leaders Made or Born?

The leadership research specifically focused defining leadership and on the way certain events,

obstacles, or adversity affected and shaped prominent leaders.

The research interview questions were designed to draw out the participants' experiences on a

range of interests. I encouraged the sixteen prominent leaders that I personally interviewed to

identify the most important events in their lives. I asked them specifically to share the effects

of the events, obstacle, or adversity in their youth and adult lives that shaped them. They were

called upon reveal the resources within themselves that they drew upon to overcome obstacles.

Finally, I questioned them as to whether their experiences with overcoming adversity in any

way impacted their development, specifically their development as a leader.

The information from major leadership scholars and best selling author for the interested reader

that seems to back my position and conclusion: Leader are made, not born.

Conclusion: Leaders are Made, not born!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Leadership-and-Adversity---Are-Leaders-Made-Or-Are-Leaders-

Born?-A-Definitive-Answer-to-the-Question&id=2815934



Conclusion

According to most of the researches mentioned above it is proved that leaders seem to be

not always born, but also made through training. The made leaders acquire the leadership

skills after having been put through the situation in which they have to lead the masses and

the skills of leadership can only be learned through training and experience.

It is also concluded that not always a born leader seem to be more successful as compared

to the developed leader under circumstances.

“Everybody has to learn the job, that’s why leaders are always made”



References Are Leaders Born or Made, http://www.myarticlearchive.com/articles/6/211.htm,

(Accessed January 21, 2011)

Being A Born Leader Means Nothing Unless You Are, http://EzineArticles.com/?

expert=Steve_Holloway , (Accessed January 23, 2011)

Bryant Nielson , http://ezinearticles.com/?Leaders-Are-Made,-Not-Born&id=1054257,


Great Leaders are Made, Not Born, http://www.stuffofheroes.com/Great%20Leaders

%20are%20Made,%20Not%20Born.html, (Accessed January 22, 2011)

Howard Edward Haller, Ph.D., http://ezinearticles.com/?Leadership-and-Adversity---Are-

Leaders-Made-Or-Are-Leaders-Born?-A-Definitive-Answer-to-the-Question&id=2815934,


Judge,Timthy& Robbins,Stephen & Sanghi,Seema. (2008) Organizational

Behavior, pp. 420-423.

Leadership: do traits matter, http://www.jstor.org/pss/4165007, (Accessed January

21, 2011)


http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Holloway

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Holloway


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