Are we Born with it or is Leadership a Trainable Skill?

Are we Born with it or is Leadership a Trainable Skill?

If leadership is a trainable skill, why does it seem like we have such a gap in opportunities for development? Let’s clarify the word development. Development means having qualities, motivation and focus to improve your current abilities. Here are three examples of leadership development opportunities that have fallen flat.

Register for a course
If you register and attend a course with the intent for development but do not put in any effort you will not achieve this status. Although, your action of surrounding yourself with knowledge and influencers is a step in the right direction, you must be willing to fully commit to the experience to gain the benefit.

Title does not mean entitle
If you are given a leadership role but do not understand the value of your team’s contribution this is a missed opportunity. The ability to evaluate your human resources is essential in workload distribution and management efficiency.

Practice opportunities
If you are subject matter expert this does not translate into leadership expert. Just as your subject of expertise took years to craft, leadership requires the same dedication and practice. Leaders are not born although they have some qualities that have potential. Leaders are developed over time and they must be given opportunities to practice this all important skill.