Earlier today, I caught up with an old friend over drinks, and our conversation quickly turned to life’s journey and the paths we’ve travelled. The energy and brilliance of this friend were palpable—imagine the impact if all that potential were channelled into a deliberate action plan! With such drive, he could easily become a prominent figure in the UK. Yet, despite his talents, he voiced frustration over his current earnings, which lag what he would make in his trained profession. As an immigrant to the UK via the healthcare visa route, he feels stuck, awaiting permanent residency before he can transition to his desired career. This predicament isn’t unique to him; it’s a common struggle among many immigrants. I reminded him of his inherent leadership abilities and suggested that these skills if honed, could translate into significant financial gains. He sounded a little hesitant and was adamant that stepping up and showing his leadership skills at his workplace would change his financial situation. This sparked a deeper conversation about whether leaders are born or made—a debate that left us pondering the true nature of leadership.
The age-old debate of whether leaders are made or born has been a topic of discussion for years. Some argue that leadership is an innate quality that people are born with, while others believe that leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. A few years ago, I spent quite a few nights trying to learn about leadership, trying to fully understand what it entails and how I fit in the whole phenomenon. I also started from this question, observing what was happening around me and trying to pinpoint whether I was in my right calling.
It took me back to the year 2015, I had just finished my A levels and came back home from a Catholic mission boarding school. I was looking forward to seeing my father and sharing with him, the experiences of the final lap of high school education. But most importantly, I couldn’t wait to tell him how successful the club I had started at school was. And how I had forged relationships with the school administration which landed me a few tenders that resulted in me working for the school while I was still a student. To my surprise, my father was not at home. He was sick and had been admitted to the general hospital for the past two months. I was broken and went straight to the hospital to see him. The sight of him on that hospital bed was overwhelming. I broke into tears and could not believe what I saw; my father was dying.
“Cheer up, Sonny. The Lord is in control,” he said, with a warm smile on his face. “You’ve grown so tall. Are they feeding you too much beans at boarding school?” he joked. “How were your exams?”
As he spoke, I began to see a glimmer of light in his eyes again. The old man was relieved to see me; his love and pride shone through. “And how’s the club going? Did you manage to get it registered with the Catholic diocese?” He had succeeded in making me forget, for a moment, that he was on his deathbed. All I could see was a proud father who was eager to hear his son’s success stories. I told him everything about the club – how I had launched it in a sister school, and how it was thriving. I also shared my excitement about getting hired by the school to design their website and winning a tender to create student IDs for the lower six students.
As I spoke, he gazed into my eyes with amusement. “I always knew you were special,” he said in a cracking voice. “Did you know that when you were a baby, you crawled for less than a week before you started walking? You were the first among your peers to start speaking. Everything about you was exceptional, and you were always the smartest kid in the room. There were clear signs that you were a leader. Do you remember all the speeches you would give in front of the congregation at church? I always knew that you were poised for greatness. Keep it up, sonny. I am proud of you.”
Recalling this moment made me wonder: was I born a leader, or was I made into one? There were clear signs from my early years that I carried something special, but what about the invaluable lessons I had learned from attending leadership seminars? The answer, perhaps, lies somewhere in between – a combination of innate traits and learned skills that, with effort and dedication, can lead to great leadership.
The question of whether leaders are made or born has been a topic of debate for many years. While some people believe that leadership is a natural talent that some individuals are born with, others argue that leadership is a learned skill that can be developed through training and practice.
The truth is that leadership is a complex mix of nature and nurture. While some people may have innate qualities that make them more predisposed to leadership roles, such as charisma or confidence, leadership skills can also be learned and developed through experience and training.
In fact, many of the most successful leaders have worked hard to develop their skills and overcome significant challenges. They have learned how to communicate effectively, inspire others, make tough decisions, and lead by example. Through perseverance and dedication, they have become great leaders.
Moreover, leadership is not just about individual qualities or skills but also about the context in which leaders operate. Effective leadership requires an understanding of the needs and values of the people being led, as well as the ability to create a shared vision and mobilize resources towards that vision.
Therefore, while some individuals may have a natural inclination towards leadership, anyone can learn to become a great leader with the right mindset, training, and support. Ultimately, leadership is a journey of self-discovery and growth, and it is up to each person to take responsibility for their own development as a leader. Now that we have demystified the notion that made a lot give up on leadership based on the assumption of not being born a leader or having little to no evidence of leadership in their formative years. Let us dive straight into the journey of making you one. Leadership skills can be developed! Make an intentional decision today to develop them.
P.S:
In today’s dynamic work environment, showcasing leadership skills is not just about taking the helm on projects; it’s about influencing others, driving results, and demonstrating your value to the organization. Developing and exhibiting leadership qualities can significantly boost your career trajectory and, importantly, your salary. In all of this remember INNOVATION at personal level
