There has been a debate for a number of years concerning the issue of what makes a great leader. This debate is usually summarized into two schools of thought. The one school proposes that leaders are a select few people who are born with the unique set of skill and have rare leadership abilities. The other school of thought proposes that leaders are made, that is they learn, grow and develop into great leaders through the books they read, the people they associate with and from their personal experiences.

My take on this discussion is that I believe that Leaders are made, and I am not the only one with this belief.

“…leaders are made, not born, and made more by themselves than by any external means. Second . . . that no leader sets out to be a leader per se, but rather to express himself freely and fully.” – Warren Bennis

The truth is the most people have the potential to become leaders. The real issue is that leadership takes time to develop…
■People need time to figure out what they’re passionate about
■People need time to understand their personal vision and purpose
■People need time to learn how to express who they
■People need time to learn how to use their unique strengths and skills
■People need time to learn how to express their purpose in their own unique unique way.
“Leadership cannot really be taught. It can only be learned.” – Harold Geneen

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal." – Vince Lombardi
 
“Leadership is an observable, learnable set of practices. Leadership is not something mystical and ethereal that cannot be understood by ordinary people. Given the opportunity for feedback and practice, those with the desire and persistence to lead can substantially improve their abilities to do so.” – James Kouzes and Barry Posner