We have heard people say that great leaders are not born – they are made. But, we have also heard people say that great leaders are not made, they’re born, haven’t we? Which statement is true then? Is this nature or nurture when it comes to preparing future managers and leaders? Let’s consider both the aspects of making of a leader, i.e., nature and nurture.
There are claims that assert that the best leaders/managers have differently programmed brains. These claims strive to prove leadership as partly hereditary and dismiss the belief that the skills can be acquired via nurturing.
But it’s not as simple as it appears to be. You cannot simply hold your DNA accountable for factors that determine your leadership skills. And, “if you think” that you’re not a “born leader”, you shouldn’t simply immerse yourself into the slough of dismay. Experts confirm that the reality is a bit complicated than simply falling off a log. Experts acknowledge that to determine whether a person occupies leadership qualities are a complex mix of genetic, as well as environmental factors.
Remember, effective and efficient leadership does not always involve loud and authoritative personality. No doubt, individual personality traits help you become a good leader, but leadership and management development program (MDP), industry knowledge, experience and trainings provided by an established b school are essential for success. So although there is some evidence natural traits might help leaders, it’s only a small part of the picture.
Petra Wilton, of the Chartered Management Institute, says, “It’s like riding a bike… Most people can ride a bicycle, but not everyone can be Olympic winners. It’s the same with management and leadership.”
An institute of management should thoroughly believe that you can teach and develop the skills for leadership in students while they are studying in MBA colleges. For such institutions, it’s not about teaching written literature, but it’s a practical skill via management development programmes. Various management development programmes provide students at MBA colleges and other management institutes with a progressive skills advancement system to nurture emerging talent. The management institute is known for its state-of-the-art management development programmes in India.
For budding leaders and managers, the message is crystal clear (as much as possible on such a complex topic): your individual personality traits might help initially, but it’s not the factor to decide your success or failure. From lectures and management courses, to mentoring or advance management development programmes, augmenting your skills is often crucial to the success in your management institute and, in the bigger world. Otherwise, even the best management institutes will be of little use.