Great Leaders: Are Leaders Born Or Made?

The debate on whether leaders are born or made has been an ongoing conversation for several generations. This debate is much like the debate concerning nature versus nurture. Many seek to find out whether or not the skills, knowledge and attitudes that characterize great leaders are natural and intrinsically woven into the fabric of human DNA or whether they are simply learnt and honed over time. To date, there is no definitive answer proving in favor of one or the other. Theorists have however developed several theories for each side of the debate, others have simply adopted the approach that a great leader is not simply born or made but that great leadership arise from an amalgamation of the two. This paper will highlight the various arguments

Before he can remake his society, his society must make him. (p.31)

Spencer posits that it is the societal circumstances and the subsequent experiences gained that shape and mold leaders. Critics of the great man theory that the theory is flawed at its core owing to the fact that, if it was that great leaders are born with these traits all persons possessing these traits should in turn be in a position of leadership.

Later on, in the 1930s and 1940s, the Trait theory on leadership emerged and is believed to be a gateway into the behavioral approach taken by subsequent scientific research into leadership. The trait theory follows the school of thought that leaders are born and not made. Research by Stogdill (1948), Kouzes & Posner (1980), McCalla (1983) into the traits necessary for great leadership found that drive, responsibility, motivation, cognitive ability, integrity, achievement and self-confidence, among others are key traits that great and effective leaders possess. Although similar to the great man theory, trait theory focused mainly on the traits that are necessary to for great leadership. Although several characteristics have been put forth as integral there have been no comprehensive list that all leaders possess that would be applicable for success in various

Many persons have successfully been able to learn and adapt to the demands of leadership roles. Years of experience doing a particular task, knowledge passed down, values and attitudes thought all shape an individual’s character and influence the decisions they make, and thereby determines whether or not they are good leaders. The military is one example of this ideology where the skills and techniques are thought and developed to create effective leaders. In his review of an earlier research conducted, concerning the ablity to employ skills and techniques taught Goldsmith (2009) asserts:

Delphine and her colleagues found that members of the group that received the training showed a significant improvement in their ability to identify their feelings and the feelings of others, as well as to manage and control their emotions. What's more, these improvements were apparent not only right after the training but also six months