Recently there has been many debates whether the leadership qualities can be taught or whether a person is born with them. While behaviorist theories largely support the idea that leadership skills can be taught, and, indeed, many leadership educational programs launched across the country seem to support this thought, I believe this notion is ungrounded. Leadership characteristics are inherent qualities of a person, that can only be improved through educational programs, but cannot be altogether taught if a person does not have them.
The Great Person or Trait theory of leadership suggest that great leaders possess inborn qualities that qualify them to inspire people and to lead them. To prove this theory, scientists point to the great people of the past, few of whom had proper education to make great achievements. Nevertheless, due to the strength of their character they managed to change the lives not only for themselves but for thousands of people across the countries. However, modern researchers state that inborn features alone are not enough to become a leader (Udofia, 2020). Rather, they serve as a precondition showing that a person has a potential to become a great leader. Inborn features must necessarily be complimented by certain actions that place a leader in a situation most favorable to achieve his or her full potential (Udofia, 2020). Thus, for example, a person with great tactics skills, should study in a military academy to find oneself in a situation where his or her inborn qualities are likely to be applied. No matter what inherent features a person has, the situational context must allow these qualities to find their application.
Leadership traits are predetermined character traits that allow people to lead others. While leadership traits cannot be taught, it is possible to create conditions in which a person’s innate features are likely to crystallize into real leading actions. However, if a person lacks inherent leadership traits, it is unlikely that he or she will gain them no matter how hard one tries.
Reference
Udofia, C. A. (2020) Are leaders born or made? A disquisition on the great person and christological paradigms of leadership. An International Multidisciplinary Double-Blind Peer-reviewed Research Journal 2(2). Web.