Ep #67: Are Great Leaders Born or Built?

Are great leaders born or built?

As a leadership coach and someone who trains high-performing teams, I have pondered this topic deeply.

What differentiates natural traits from personal growth and development?

And what makes an average leader compared to a truly exceptional one? 

Today I take you on my own journey as we explore these questions and dig deeper into what makes great leadership. 

We’ll start by examining an early theory called the Great Man Theory. It suggests that men - who historically held most leadership positions - are born with inherent traits that make them exceptional leaders. While traits like confidence, resilience and decisiveness are valuable, they don't solely define great leaders. I believe great leaders are built by having a personal commitment to being the best that they can be and being dedicated to a cause or a purpose beyond simply self-interest.

Next, I dive a little deeper into the power of natural traits. I often see people questioning their ability to have a bigger impact when they don’t feel they possess those traditional leadership traits. However, being a great leader requires more than just these natural attributes. I take you through the DISC tool, which identifies four key personality types. While traditionally, most leaders have fallen into the Dominant category, the question lies, are they the only types of leaders we should have? I share my belief that we need to move towards a genuinely more diverse group of leaders in order to engage with people in a more robust and complex way.

I then talk about the need for adaptability, a skill that I believe everyone needs. We live in an interactive, ever-changing world and the ability to adapt and evolve is more important than ever. To be able to pivot and meet the needs of any given situation is the key to lasting and sustainable results. We also need to be adaptable so that we can engage better with our teams and understand how to get the best from them. This requires a deep level of self-awareness to be constantly building who we are in leadership.

Whether you're starting your leadership journey or looking to make a greater impact, this episode will give you practical insights and strategies to help you grow as a leader.

Remember, anyone can become a great leader with dedication and the right mindset. I encourage you to take the time and think about one way you could step beyond your comfort zone to lead better in your everyday life and work.