Consider Mother Teresa, who devoted herself to serving the poor. Through her example, the “angel of Calcutta” left an unmatched legacy of love and compassion, touching millions of lives for good.
Colin Powell, raised in utter poverty, rose through the ranks of the military and government service. Driven by a deep desire to make a difference for his family and for the world, he has become one of the most respected leaders in the world.
Leaders raise the bar for their professions. They shatter previously held expectations and limitations.
Vince Lombardi, for instance, set the standard of excellence among coaches, possessing a desire to win like no other. The most prized trophy in professional football bears his name, a lasting tribute to his accomplishments.
President George W. Bush moved beyond privilege to a life of service, motivated by an undaunted passion for this wonderful land we call home and by his faith in God and his family. Love him or not, he has the courage of his convictions and makes no apologies.
Are Leaders Born or Made?
Leaders like the ones above differ from one another in countless ways. But they share a common feature: profound passion. Leaders own their passion and make no apologies or excuses for their deeply-rooted convictions. They are fervent about their missions, and those missions drive them.
Can this passion be developed? Or do leaders emerge from the tender protection of their mother’s womb with a destiny to lead ingrained in their DNA?
I believe leaders are born and made. While the necessary ingredients to lead may already be deep inside each of us, these innate leadership skills can be unleashed with the proper care.
Leaders Close to Home
Whom do you know that demonstrates strong leadership? Is it a boss, a friend or a family member? Who seems to enjoy a Pied Piper-like charisma that moves others to action effortlessly and positively?
Imagine having the ability to manage a work team with enthusiasm and a commitment to your goal. Think about the problems that could be resolved when a group pulls together behind a respected and powerful leader. It is possible, and this chapter will share some proven methods of developing leadership and management skills.
The Fallacy of Leadership Training
Corporate boardrooms are abuzz with the benefits of leadership training. But leadership training alone does not create effective leaders. Only when you combine it with management skill development will you likely achieve the results you seek—namely employee retention, job satisfaction, loyalty and increased productivity.
Leadership, after all, is the frosting on the cake of competent managing skills. Don’t believe it? Ask yourself the following question: Can a successful, organized and competent manager survive without leadership attributes? Most definitely. Can a dynamic and charismatic leader prevail in a corporate setting without management skills? Usually not.
