Can anyone really become a Leader?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:24:41 -0500

Do you think that everyone has the ability to be a leader, or are there people out there who are just plain unfit for leadership roles? If so what is the the biggest fault or trait that will keep someone from being a good leader?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 5:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:37:55 -0500

Best piece of advice I was given-

He was a CavScout that I have a lot of admiration and respect for.

"Strive to be the best damn (insert job description here), and then strive to be the leader you respected and admired growing as a soldier. Take traits from leaders that you disliked and liked, and make yourself a composite NCO from the best traits of all them."

I would think that you would becoming a pretty proficient leader at that point. Its something I work on every day. Technical knowledge is useless without tactical proficiency.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 1:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:02:59 -0400

I think everyone has the potential to be a good leader, but it takes some more effort than others to get there. Some people are just natural born leaders and it comes without effort, but many are not so lucky. One thing that a lot of people fail to realize is that there are many styles of leadership, and everyone has a style that aligns well with their personality. Someone who has a loud, in-your-face personality might make just as great of a leader as someone who is shy and quiet. A big part of being a good leader is the ability do do what is right, set a good example, and to enforce and uphold standards. If you strive to be the best Soldier possible, then you are inadvertently showing leadership because others will see you being the best you can be, and it will motivate them to do the same.

I think the biggest faults that prevent someone from being a good leader are when they either become lazy and take advantage of their position, or when they are unable to maintain professionalism. This encompasses a lot of scenarios, but I think it ultimately comes down to motivation and professionalism. People make mistakes, but they can still be good leaders as long as they are professional and willing to accept and overcome their faults.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Mar 10 at 2014 1:16 AM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:16:35 -0400

I do believe that anyone can be a leader. The traits that top leaders need can be develop and learned. The article below talks about how great leaders have vision, communication skills, are proactive problem solvers, know themselves and their environment, and trust but verifies.

It comes easier to some, but I believe that those that really desire to be a good leader, will work hard at it, show passion in working at it, can become a leader that they desire to be!

http://artofthinkingsmart.com/top-must-have-traits-for-leaders/

Top Must-Have Traits For Leaders - The Art Of Thinking Smart

Great leaders are critical for the success of organizations, here are the top traits for leaders!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 10 at 2014 4:24 AM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:24:15 -0400

There are those who will become leaders because they are predisposed to it; and likewise those who will not for similar reasons. That said, my experience has been that anybody with the heart and the head to stay the course, and truly dedicate themselves to the process of becoming a leader can develop the qualities of a leader. Some will be better than others, but nonetheless still able to accomplish all that we need leaders to do.

With regard to the greatest failing of a leader, more often than not, they either never master the skills needed to lead (technical proficiency, strong work ethic, high degree of emotional intelligence, solid moral compass, self awareness, etc.); or once in a position of significant authority they succumb to what students of leadership call the Bathsheba Syndrome; they exploit their position for personal gain without regard their subordinates or the rules. Either issue renders them unfit to lead.

Response by CPT Kyle Schembechler made Jun 12 at 2014 2:15 PM

CPT Kyle Schembechler — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:15:12 -0400

I usually don't stoop to the level of quoting Rambo, but here goes nothing:

"There was a sculptor. He found this stone, a special stone. He dragged it home and he worked on it for months until he finally finished it. When he was ready he showed it to his friends. They said he had created a great masterpiece, but the sculptor said he hadn't created anything. The statue was always there, he just chipped away the rough edges"

Some people don't have it in them at all and that's fine; certain personalities would rather be given direction than be in charge. Even among those individuals with the type A personality, the amount of "rough edges" to be removed varies greatly. Like any skill, some people are born with it, some have to work hard for it, and some are just not meant for it.

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Jun 18 at 2014 5:33 AM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 05:33:35 -0400

Not everyone who would be a good leader will make it through. Likewise not every toxic leader will be stopped. A leader who consistently does the wrong thing (has no integrity and no apparent sense of duty, doing the right thing when no one is looking) is not going to make a good leader. Anything else, I can work with. I also would like to see more involvement between leaders and their team members. Get spouses to meet. Make it like a neighborly thing (not so much a buddy thing). I make it a habit to stop by and welcome everyone on my block to the neighborhood when we get new neighbors. Try to learn about your subordinates' personal lives and you'll gain great insight to what you'll need to fix or promote about him/her to make him/her an amazing leader. Be, and thereby set, the example of what right looks like.

Response by CSM Christopher Irwin made Jun 18 at 2014 5:49 AM

CSM Christopher Irwin — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 05:49:51 -0400

No. TRUE leadership is often confused with the "act" of leading. For instance, take a litter of puppies....There will only be ONE ALPHA in the group. However, you can put the entire litter through the same training and they all can be good watch dogs, explosives detection dogs, drug dogs, police K9s, etc. They will all do the same things they are taught with seemingly the same response but when it comes down to brass tacks, there is still only one ALPHA. Most people hate when I use this analogy because they don't want to accept how closely we are at a basal-level with animals.

Leadership is defined by the nature of people to want to engage with you (or if you feel the need to be around them if you're not an Alpha). We've all bore witness to those people that we just want to associate with...They aren't necessarily the loudest, the strongest, or the most intelligent; there is just something about them that draws others near. It's not to say that people can't be taught leadership traits and act them out IAW how they should but there will always be that one missing piece.
The biggest fault that will keep someone from being a leader is twofold. Not being true to themselves and recognizing their own weaknesses and being afraid to make a snap decision when needed. Without those two intrinsic abilities, no one can act the part.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 18 at 2014 3:09 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:09:24 -0400

The potential is there for normal people within the concept of leader as opposed to 'Pusher, Intiminator (if that is a word) , Lord, Tyrant, or other concepts. Psychopaths and the like may happen into the position, but being in the position will not make them leaders.

Ambitious people can certainly be leaders and so can Introverts. It is a trainable skill, but must be practiced to remain effective.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Jun 30 at 2014 2:12 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 02:12:41 -0400

No.

There are certain "ingredients" required for someone to be a good leader that are only inherently there (cannot be caught/taught). If you aren't born with them, nothing you can do about. Just like there are folks that have a natural affinity for medicine, law, tradesman, etc.

Additionally, there are skills, knowledge and attributes that must be instilled/taught by supervisors/leaders/mentors and the formalized education system.

Finally, there must be experience and practical application of all the above in order for the final product - a good leader - to be created.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 30 at 2014 3:16 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:16:45 -0400

Leadership is generally a learned skill, so theorhetically anyone has the potential to do it....BUT some folks simply posses the natural tools to be better at it than others.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 1 at 2014 10:21 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:21:19 -0400

I agrees with CSMs Maynard and Irwin. Not everyone has what it takes to be a leader, especially over the long term. Sometimes what is lacking is innate personal abilities, sometimes what is missing is the desire. In either case, if it isn't there it isn't there. This isn't to cast aspersions. Not everyone NEEDS to be a leader. Despite what certain dogmas state.

NOTE1: Anyone, with appropriate training and mentorship, can ACT in a leadership role. If they are smart and diligent, they will do a passable job. Until three minutes after it is required, or they are moved to a position where they can fall back on their authority. They are usually frustrated and miserable the entire time.

NOTE2: This is where "fake it 'til you make it" comes into play. You can go FAR by focusing on behaviors. Look around at successful leaders. Notice what they do. Do that as earnestly as possible. It works surprisingly often. Not always fun, but it's not called "going to fun." On the other hand, if you have the innate personality & ability, you will suddenly notice one day, that you are no longer faking.

NOTE3: As SFC Tierney noted, there are multiple leadership styles and multiple kinds of leaders, and multiple environments where different styles will work. One challenge for leaders is being able to read the situation and either A) adapt your leadership style to the situation or B) seek situations that are adapted to your leadership style.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Jul 6 at 2014 9:21 PM

1SG Frank Rocha — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 21:21:40 -0400

I have a few quotes that I reference when thinking of whether a leader is made or born. And before I display those quotes keep in mind that even though something has the potential to occur does not mean that it will. Much like the law of nature where there is the possibility for a flower to grow but first there must be a seed to plant. Then it needs a source of nutrition and protection from harsh elements. If all circumstances present themselves in the proper sequence then a flower will bloom in all its glory as it was meant to bloom based on its potential.

Do I believe everyone possesses that potential to become a leader? Yes I do but keep in mind that at a certain point within a persons "frame of reference" one or more of the required circumstances or "ingredients" may become absent due to one thing or another. Although many pitfalls throughout our lives, that hamper or degrade leadership potential, occur it does not mean that they cannot be overcome with great leadership and mentoring. Good leaders come from good leaders.

Now does everyone start off with the same "level" of potential? No, of course not but again the flower will not bloom without the proper care and nurturing it needs to realize its potential, and no 2 flowers bloom the same, or at the same rate, but they all are meant to bloom nonetheless.

Here are some quotes that help to illustrate my point.

" 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

“I would say that most leaders are made. A fellow that comes from a long line of ancestors with determination and courage has no doubt inherited some leadership qualities. I have seen many times in combat where somebody who is small and meek was given the opportunity and had leadership you never before realized he had, and he becomes a Medal of Honor winner. There are some qualities you inherit that make you a good leader; but many who have not these qualities develop them, or just seem to come up with them when opportunity knocks.” –– GEN Dwight Eisenhower

"Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error, and from experience. When something fails, a true leader learns from the experience and puts it behind him. You don’t get reruns in life, Don’t worry about what happened in the past." - GEN Colin Powell

“Leaders are made by the day–to–day practice and fine tuning of leadership talents, because leading is an art as well, is a science and best developed by application. Leaders are made by the steady acquisition of professional knowledge and by the development of 24–karat character during the course of a career.” ––GEN John Wickham, Jr.