Are leaders born or are they made?

SGM Jerry Finin — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:08:54 -0500

No one in my option is a born leader. Leaders are made and before one can lead they must first follow.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Mar 3 at 2014 2:19 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:19:03 -0500

I believe there are born leaders. I am the father of four kids and watching them grow up some have more leadership skills than the others even as young as two years old. I do not believe you have to follow in order to lead.

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Mar 3 at 2014 3:50 AM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:50:01 -0500

I believe that leaders come from all walks of life. I believe some leaders are natural born leaders and just seem to "get it" from the beginning. These types of leaders do not need to follow as much before taking on more responsibility and leadership roles.

I also believe that all leaders are built. Even the natural born leaders always have something to improve on. All leaders at all levels always have at least one aspect they can improve on. So all leaders learn knowledge and leadership qualities from watching others or from schooling, or mentoring or whatever other way they decide to hone their leadership qualities.

I do however agree that most leaders do have to follow before they can lead though.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 5:35 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 05:35:23 -0500

The ability to lead can be taught. At least in the sense that what to look for and how to respond. However it is when something unpredictable happens that a leader gets everyone to relax and remember their training.

An extraordinary leader goes beyond the book and does so intuitively. That little voice in the head gives them the ability to think under stress and what to do. That part is the part that can't be taught.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 7:26 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 07:26:36 -0500

I believe there's no such thing as a born leader as I will not follow a newborn into combat. All humans are born with inherent potential and capabilities that are realized/utilized through acculturation. The Army does it by ways of counseling, coaching, and mentorship.

There may be a few individuals who have a natural tendency toward desirable leadership traits and who intuitively use said traits in the appropriate context, but that's a high speed PFC rather than a squad leader or above.

I always thought the "leaders are born, not made" thing was an easy excuse to wash your hands of people who can't cut the mustard after institutional training.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 8:27 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:27:19 -0500

CSGM Finin - True in the sense they are hardwired that way and just refine their skills with experience.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 9:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:21:50 -0500

“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”

William Shakespeare

The above quote is how I feel about life and leadership SGM Finin.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 3 at 2014 9:54 AM

CSM Michael Poll — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:54:31 -0500

I do not think someone is born a leader, they were most likely raised in a leadership family or learned quickly because of necessity that leadership must be thrusted on them at an early age, regardless, leadership is learned, whether at a young age or at an older age.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 3 at 2014 10:21 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:21:00 -0500

I'm a leader and I also just so happened to be born.  ;-)

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Mar 3 at 2014 10:25 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:25:53 -0500

You have your alpha role people who are natural born leaders. These people can naturally have a group follow them because of how they carry themselves right path or wrong. The military is big on leading by position. If I put you in a pace where you should be leading, then I expect others to follow. The problem with this is, you are only a leader if people are willing to follow. How many times have we seen that one "leader" who has no one following them.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Mar 3 at 2014 1:57 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:57:23 -0500

I read a paper published back in 1984 by Dr. Forrest Bird where he expounds some on your question. His paper - "Technological Gateways and Their Impact Upon World Societies" in the Flying Physician segmented the human race into three categories: 91.5% followers, 7% leaders, and 1.5% pathfinders. I think it's a combination of things that evolve into being a leader ... some of which is innate to your internal makeup and some of which you learn over trial and tribulation. It takes both to be a good leader.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 3 at 2014 2:23 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:23:26 -0500

I feel leaders are made/groomed not born. We take the lessons from our life, the good and bad examples and work on our own leadership styles.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 3 at 2014 5:07 PM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 17:07:04 -0500

SGM I would opine that there are those who have particular personality traits that lend themselves well to leadership roles, but that alone will not carry them to success as leaders. It merely gives them a head start. Leadership can be developed by anybody with the heart, the patience, and the humility to learn it. The military is by far one of the best examples of how leaders are developed. We take people from scratch (often much younger than those in similar positions in the civilian world); educate them through formal leadership courses; nurture them through mentorship; and expose them to opportunities to practice their newly developed skills adding complexities to the situations as they achieve higher pay grade. Leaders are developed by other leaders.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 11:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 11:12:47 -0500

This is a topic that was posed in my Org. Leadership class at grad school this past week. Author Richard Daft had some really interesting thoughts on this exact topic. On a pure biological stand point, people are inherently born with leadership traits. Those traits can be refined into what we consider a great leader. However, good leadership (which is 99% of our current leaders) can be taught. Having leadership traits is only the base level of leadership though. Behavioral leadership is the next step. I think that part is sometime overlooked. A large percentage of "great leaders" coming out of Harvard in the past 15 years have been at the center of corporate fraud and insider trading. They are now taking a good look into identifying underlying behaviors. As a TAC Officer, I've tried to identify leadership traits right away in Officer Candidates. I also try to look for behaviors. I can't tell you how many times simple bad behaviors serve as a precursor for bad decisions in the future.

Leadership Integrity is next. What that means is that you can rely on a leader that when he says he will get it done, he can. On the flip side, it also means that the leader will tell you that the mission cannot be accomplished within the constraints provided. All of these, and more, go into what makes a great leader. There is nothing wrong with being a good leader. I just think some people are born with the base that can be molded in a great leader.

Response by Sgt Eben Osgood made Mar 4 at 2014 11:21 AM

Sgt Eben Osgood — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 11:21:46 -0500

Leaders are certainly not born. There is no demographic factor into determining who will be a leader. I have met Marines with multiple Bachelor's that couldn't lead a fire team out of a wet paper bag, and I have met Marines from small town America that excel in leadership roles. Leaders are shaped through guidance of senior NCO's and SNCO's as well as by the command example of officers. It is through their combined efforts that junior enlisted/officers are shaped into the leaders needed to take charge of our armed forces into the 21st century. If we look at the example of Robert E. Lee, we see a General that counseled his officers and encouraged them to train their subordinates with the edicts and ethos of leadership. The same example is in Gen. George Washington, counseling and training in leadership and entrusting those that prove themselves with more responsibility, not simply handing someone a command because they have time-in-service.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 4 at 2014 1:55 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:55:45 -0500

I have taught Nursing Leadership and Management.... Everyone can be taught to become a leader.... with that being said, not everyone will become a good/great leader. Much of it revolves around thought processes, critical thinking skills, and overall personality. Some people have the right type of personality that lends itself to being a leader with less effort.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 2:20 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:20:50 -0500

SGM Finin,

I have read the responses here and I would like to provide my own input on the matter. I am of the belief that there is no such thing as a born leader. However, I believe that there are varying levels of potential for leadership, but potential does not make one a leader.

I believe that potential waxes as life experience supplements it. However, that alone does not make one a leader. A leader is an individual who whether by circumstance or choice, is chosen to step up and give guidance to others.

A leader is the man who is willing to take responsibility for those who serve subordinate to him. He is the man who is willing to guide them towards accomplishment of what needs to be done, but he is also the man who serves them by protecting them and ensuring that their needs are met.

Again I state that there is a natural pool of potential. I believe this pool is based off of a few key factors such as intelligence, resourcefulness, charisma, empathy, and other such things. But I believe that leaders are forged by the experiences where they must utilize that potentially.

Very respectfully,

PV1 Cherry

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 11:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:20:02 -0500

I don’t think leaders are necessarily "born".
Individuals are born with types of personas. Type A personalities are usually
the ones who can take charge comfortably and stand up when the going gets
tough. However, this doesn’t make them a leader. This is where they are
"made". We have seen from subordinates through superiors, some have
what it takes to tell people what to do, others are natural followers. I see it
as what we put into them as far as how to counsel or what to do in given situations.
They need to be able to decide left, right, or forward.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2014 10:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 22:30:02 -0500

I agree that a leader must be able to follow. In my experience, I know that leaders are born. Some may learn what it means to be a leader, and even attempt to act as leaders. True leadership is a natural character trait. There is no substitute for that.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Mar 28 at 2014 9:29 PM

CSM Mike Maynard — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:29:56 -0400

I used to be of the mindset that there are not born leaders - just like there are not born lawyers or born doctors. I believed that leaders were made and that anyone could be made into a leader.

I had a great discussion with one of my mentors about this a couple years ago. He was of the mindset that leaders are made also, but that not everyone can be made into a leader.

His rationale was that it takes certain "ingredients" to become a leader and only those with the "right ingredients" can be made into a leader.

I have adopted this mindset also now.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Mar 28 at 2014 11:09 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 23:09:12 -0400

I believe that it takes a combination of the two. Having a God given intelligence is good but there are skills in the military that need to be learned to be a successful leader.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Mar 29 at 2014 2:11 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:11:13 -0400

I believe leadership is formed from the beginning of life to the current. It starts from parenting and opportunity in early life. From the 1st steps, to sharing, to engaging with others and respecting them for who they are, to Girl Scouting to Boy Scouting, to organized sports to band and to leadership in school programs etc. You start to learn at an early age how to form the world you want to live in. Then it's amplified through out your life with the opportunities and good teaching from your superiors.

Response by MSG Martin C. made Mar 29 at 2014 2:23 PM

MSG Martin C. — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:23:45 -0400

There are individuals with particular traits of character, personality. Just like athlets leadership can be taught and develop but there are those few that will mastered to a higher level just like sports there are plenty of good athlets in sports but there is only those few that are natural beyond believe. Any one can be a great leader all it takes is having your subordinates their families and the Army best interest always first.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 2:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:31:44 -0400

Hypothetically I was born.....then made a leader.

Seriously speaking, they are definitely made, from every difficult situation, decision a d mistake

Response by SFC Benjamin Harrison made Mar 29 at 2014 2:33 PM

SFC Benjamin Harrison — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:33:13 -0400

I believe that some individuals are born with characteristics that make them "better" leaders, or leaders that just happen to grasp the true meaning of leadership. At the end of the day, leaders must be molded just as followers are.

Response by SFC Benjamin Harrison made Mar 29 at 2014 2:33 PM

SFC Benjamin Harrison — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:33:45 -0400

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 2:58 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:58:41 -0400

I agree that great leaders are developed, though some are born with attributes that perpetuate leadership stature. Size, posture, depth of voice are all attributes that lend to the ease of a leader's influence. Confidence and charisma are leadership characteristics that can be developed. We can learn the tools of leadership by following as we observe both positive and negative leadership examples. In order to actually develop our own leadership capabilities, we must step out front and take on the leadership role. Leadership development is often suppressed as individuals shy away from taking on leadership roles due to a fear of failure. That fear is likely a result of experience or perception.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 4:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 16:41:22 -0400

Excellent question SGM,

I have often thought of this same question and put some rather deep thought into this one. There is no doubt in my mind that “good leaders” go through a series of tasks, and experiences that mold and sharpen their skills. However the question is, are there “BORN” leaders. The answer is yes and I think I can prove it.

Some leaders are taught to lead. Through books, seminars, counseling, development courses, on the job training, and mentorship. Through these systems and various other resources, you can take anyone who has the mental capacity to absorb, retain, and employ these techniques and make them leaders. Some may actually become great leaders. However, in my opinion, the majority of learned leaders only become mediocre at best.

How can I prove there is such thing as a born leader? It’s actually fairly easy. Born leaders can be found throughout nature which happens to include humans. We can see hierarchy formed from the simplest organism to the most complicated. Have you ever watched kids on a play ground? Have you ever noticed some kids seem to take charge or at least become the focal point of other kids play activities? I don’t know about you but to me this may be some of the first signs of a leadership disposition. Pre teens and high school aged kids really start defining some natural born leadership ability. You will see some of those individuals start to emerge through sports or class curriculum. Some will be the head of worthy cause and other will lead the “losers club”, but none the less they rose to the occasion. At this point educated leadership plays no real part in this naturally occurring hierarchy.

These are born leaders. They may not stay born leaders. They may take a turn for the worse at later time in their lives, but they are in fact born with the disposition to lead others. People want to follow these few individuals for reasons I can’t really explain.

I think you can sharpen any knife, but it takes the right metal to make a razor.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 6 at 2014 12:41 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:41:42 -0400

SGM Jerry Finin I agree that no one is born a leader. I do believe that a solid upbringing can certainly give someone a head start, even a natural tendency to be a leader, but to be a leader, one must be formed by other leaders.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2014 2:33 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 14:33:39 -0400

I'm not sure that I agree with you on this one SGM Jerry Finin . I believe that there are natural born leaders and I believe that no military academy can produce quality to the degree that some seem to have before they even entered the service. It isn't genetics. I don't believe in a super leadership gene, but some people were brought up in an environment that supports the best qualities in superior leadership.

Response by SFC Nestor Nievesmoran made Sep 6 at 2014 4:36 PM

SFC Nestor Nievesmoran — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:36:38 -0400

We do what what our career can afford, what our actions can control, and what our strengths can achieve. A leader is that one that at a point of his life learn to believe in himself and decided not to use excuses to justify his actions. It is that one that learned the importance of sacrifice and the reward of giving the extra mile. No one become a Soldier without training, no one becomes a leader without the inner will. No one is born millionair or poor regardless of the status of his surroundings, some may have all the help available and others will have to struggle, but that does not guarantee who can really become a leader. Everyone was born with a purpose some explore their potential while other become followers.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Sep 6 at 2014 5:22 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 17:22:24 -0400

Are leaders born or are they made? Chuck Norris was neither... he just exist!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 3 at 2014 3:48 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:48:39 -0400

That is an age-old question, kind-of like "which came first, the chicken or the egg". I think that the obvious answer is that people can be born with certain traits and characteristics that make them more apt to be leaders than others. Extroverts are more prone to be leaders than introverts, for example.

Leadership, however, is a learned skill, with a set of traits and characteristics we have all been taught in the many leadership schools we have attended. It also something that has to be practiced to be effective. Effective leaders learn to adjust their "leadership" to the people and situation. It is not "one shoe fits all".

Something I heard and have used in the many leadership classes I have taught over the years is that, although I have read many obituaries of great leaders, I have yet to ever see a birth announcement for one. People are born and become leaders during their lives through training, experience, and their own personal traits and characteristics.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 8:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:44:20 -0400

I think a little bit of both. I think that we are born into a family, nurtured, and raised with values that help develop and make us leaders. Also, you need opportunities to be leaders. But as far as born yes we all have part of our personalities before we influenced by others.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 10:31 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:31:30 -0400

Oh the age old question. I don't think someone is born to be a leader. I think there is a huge learning process as well as other variables. It is possible that someone at an early age has more of a leadership presence. We all remember grade school where at times people followed you and other times someone else became the alpha. There is always a person that may have a natural sense command. Where they get that is hard to say. Sometimes it could be the upbringing. Other times there is a physical trait. As a young kid the stronger larger kid tended to command the school yard. Sometimes it was the rich or spoiled kid who had the newest things and garnered the attention and the other kids wanted to be like him. Then there personality traits.

Someone who is more introverted more I like used to be tended to not feel comfortable in trying to be commanding. In the training environment there was always the hoorah kid. The kid who's was always barking at their peers trying real hard to be the alpha male. I like call the guy the cheer leader. Then there were the ones who were leading behind the scenes. That would be more of my style. I never did good at trying a trying to be the overt person in the room. To compensate for this I made it my mission to be the subject matter expert in everything I did where my decisions are met with I know what the hell I am talking baout and here's why.

I think leadership is subjective to the situation and the environment. What might make someone an excellent infantry leader may be a lousy air craft commander. I think everyone is in a learning process that shunted at any time. I have seen this first hand where someone was a real good leader at a lower echelon but could not figure out how to lead at the higher levels. Case in point once knew a Captain who was well regarded junior leader everyone respected the guy. he put on Major and became DO downrange but turned the biggest ass hole on the planet. started becoming more full of himself stopped being mentor and more of tyrant. Luckily after a while he finally figured out that people lost a lot of respect for him and he changed his approach and adjusted accordingly.

There is my long winded opinion on the subject.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 1:02 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:02:24 -0500

I am of the thought that they are both. I don't necessarily go into a situation trying to become the leader, but, one way or another, I tend to attract those that appoint me as such. On the same scale, there are those who rise to the occasion - are made "by the fire".

I think that those who are 'born leaders' actually develop habits after their first experience leading that lead to more leadership opportunities. 'Made leaders' may like the feeling they get when they can lead an accomplishment & want that same feeling over & over.

Good leaders develop themselves. They are able to see their own faults & improve upon them, just as they do w/ those that follow them.

Response by PO2 Eric Lozaga made Feb 5 at 2015 2:25 PM

PO2 Eric Lozaga — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:25:11 -0500

Anyone can lead if put into the position. That doesn't mean they will be good or natural at it.

Good leaders are born, great leaders were then taught. I believe a lot of it has to do with ones natural personality type.

Some people are put into leadership roles because of necessity.. those people do it because they need to. Great leaders thrive in that position, welcome it and want to be there. People are drawn to them and they will be the most effective.

Response by CSM Ralph Hernandez made Feb 6 at 2015 11:09 AM

CSM Ralph Hernandez — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 11:09:07 -0500

I think leaders are born. Why? I agree with a lot of the comments below but I will give you my opinion. When you are born you will be developed by you surrounding. If you are developed by good leaders you yourself will be a good leader, but if you are developed by bad leaders you will follow the bad track. You can lead people to go into war just like you can lead people to go to prison. Ask yourself, when you were a kid, were you the one that always followed or were you the one who lead. Remember, leaders are influential and can get you to follow in certain situations good or bad. Again just my opinion.