Are Leaders Born Or Made?

Posted by Scott Williams
13 Comments
January 25, 2010
Leaders | Leadership | Life Application | Next-Level Leader

born or madeI have always appreciated the responsibility and opportunity to be a part of developing leaders. Not only do I get the opportunity to raise my boys to be leaders, but I’ve had the opportunity to have leadership responsibility for many, many people in my seemingly short lifetime. When thinking about leadership, I’ve always pondered this difficultly-simple question: “Are Leaders Born or Made?”

I know that God has uniquely wired each of us with specific DNA and for some people that includes the spiritual gift of leadership.  With this in mind, I still find myself instilling things into my sons that will prepare them to be that next generation of leaders and world changers of the future. At the same time, I will reflect on my life and be reminded of those God moments that sculpted me into who I am today.

If we take a look at the lives of Jesus’ 12 disciples and ask the question: “Were they born leaders?” I would say, probably not! A better question is: “Were they born for leadership?” Absolutely, but not without being molded and shaped into the instruments that Jesus had in mind.

There is a lot of empirical research that supports several answers to this question; those answers conclude that leaders are: Born, Made and Both. I don’t know if it’s that obvious; but I do know that I like molding and shaping, in addition to being molded and shaped.

I read a quote in an article that stated: “Some people are born to move and shake the world. Their blessings include: high energy, exceptional intelligence, self confidence and a yearning to influence others.”

I think, “Leaders are born to be made!”

What do you think?  Are leaders born or made? Discuss!

  • http://@absoloot413ontwitter absoloot413

    next generation of leaders and world changers of the futureAmen.

  • http://www.pleaseread.org sarnaa

    I definitely believe leaders are born to be made. Everyone has the potential to lead. Most people, when you give it some thought, will lead in their lifetimes, as parents, teachers, friends, consumers, in sports, and in other ways. Their impact, good or bad, is determined by their molding. The best leaders are those who know that leadership is imperative, are willing to lead, and moldable. Everything else flows naturally from that, because with the molding comes initiative. Leaders are definitely born to be made. Jesus himself said, “Follow me and I will MAKE YOU fishers of men.”

  • http://www.twitter.com/marcmillan marcmillan

    I once heard from a friend, I forget who, that the grave is filled with lost potential. Lot’s of people who probably lived a life that never reached their potential.
    I believe everyone is born with great promise, purpose and ability unique into his or her own, but it’s really up to THEM to discover, nourish, develop and put to work all of the talents and gifts.
    Great question, can easily be debated with strong facts, I’d lean to say leaders are MADE, by experiences, knowledge, influence of OTHER leaders, situations that allow them to conquer their fears and rise up.

  • http://zcouple.com M & J @ Zcouple.com

    That is so true, the work which done by leaders is huge, yet I think that Leader are more made that any thing else. I beleive God does give us all gifts, yet it is up tp us to put it to use….

  • http://www.ichilly.com iChilly

    we are told, by Christ, to go and make disciples … ‘make’ disciples. and, I believe that disciples are servant leaders.

    in short: they’re made.

    - and we can’t make them w/o supernatural help.

  • http://www.schaidtyspaces.com MrSchaidt

    I would tend to believe they are made judging only by the number of “leadership” books on the shelves of the local Barnes and Noble :)

    But in all seriousness, I think we need to look at areas of leadership instead of just people who are leaders. Everyone leads and everyone follows, right?

  • http://bondchristian.com/ bondChristian

    I tend to go with made instead of born, but I like what you said about being born to be made.

    -Marshall Jones Jr.

  • Dona Pugh

    This has been a very thought provoking post! I am conflicted about this because I struggle with where I should be in serving the Lord, and ask myself, is my influence limited because of something I fail to do or be, or is it because that is not what God has for me. I definitely believe that some people are given supernatural gifts to lead (ie.administration, given at salvation), mixed with a natural drive and personality as who God designed them to be at birth. Spiritually speaking, yielding to the Holy Spirit, and having the anointing of God is basic to being a successful spiritual leader.

    I read a book by John Ortberg called “If you Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. He gives a very compelling argument about using your gifts to their fullest potential, and leaving the results to God. “He is a surprisingly resourceful person, the Lord of the Gift. He can take what you have to offer and make a difference that matters for eternity.”

  • jimmy paravane

    I think leaders are cloned. Does it matter? Born, made or cloned, what are you doing to your followers? Or for, or with or whatever. I think it’s very important that leaders do one thing very well. And that’s lead. (grin)

  • jimmy paravane

    Please delete my comment. I’m scared and angry because my wife is going through another spell of manic delirium and psychosis. I apologize for venting it here by trolling.

  • http://dmbaldwin.wordpress.com dmbaldwin

    I guess my answer would be, “Yes!” In other words some of us are born leaders others develop leadership skills and traits as we grow. I liken it to the difference between Bill Hybels and John Maxwell. Hybels’ Leadership Summit is for those who were born leaders or who have the spiritual gift of leadership. Maxwell gives people who are in a position of leadership or who want to be leaders a bag of tools they can use to get them to the next level.
    I like your take on it Scott. I haven’t thought of it in those terms before.
    Blessings,
    Dave

  • okultrarunner

    I believe leaders are made. They are made within ourselves from drive, determination, passion & the desire to to more, be more & give more to the world. It also often comes out of frustration that things are not done as best as they can. They take the proverbial “bull by the horns” & just get it done. As people tend to follow those who know where they are going, they soon become leaders.

  • http://www.businessmantra.net/ businessmantra7

    I think leaders are made, every person born in this world but not every one becomes leaders. Leader have to improve and develop their leadership skill to become a good leader. In today’s world every wants a good leader with a excellent leadership skills to handle their team. It takes time to learn and develop the leadership. Every leader not only needs to have good verbal skills, but also listening and visual skills. So these skill does not come in born baby, they have to improve so i think leaders are made not born.

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