IS LEADERSHIP INNATE OR LEARNED? IMPLICATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
This paper aims to discuss the issue of whether leadership is innate or learned. This paper argues that in order to be an effective leader, people should have some core traits that are partly innate; however, leadership can be learned in different ways. First this paper will give the definitions of leadership, and discuss the main core traits leaders should have, including: drive, leadership motivation, intelligence, self-confidence, and honesty/integrity. Various ways that leadership can be learned such as on-the-job, self-learning and formal training will be examined. This paper concludes that a significant part of effective leadership can be learned and provides some implications for organizations and business schools/institutions to develop potential leaders.
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