I think most people believe themselves capable of being leaders, even when they spend most of their time following others. Is it ego that makes us believe this about ourselves, are we waiting for the right moment to spring in to action, or do we believe we’ve learned how to do it? Each of these choices corresponds to one of many leadership philosophies, and certainly there are more than just these three. Northouse (2013) offers chapter after chapter of the qualities and actions which comprise leadership. The skills approach suggests leaders learn, through formal and informal sources, how to lead. The trait approach suggests great leaders have innate qualities which distinguish them from their followers. Situational approaches suggest a great leader’s recognized what is called for in a particular situation and respond accordingly. Leadership theories abound, and yet it could be argued that all have some degree of truth to them.

After reading through so many theories I feel there is one principle question, can a person learn to be a great leader? In my mind all of the other theories are premised on this question. A Google search on the key words leadership skills returned 148 million results and the first half-dozen pages are dominated with links offering insight into what some parties consider to be the most important skills, and many were links to schools, courses, or other instructions on how to learn to be a leader. One link was titled “Leadership Skills – Start Here!” Clearly this site, as well as many of the others, feels it has something to teach to wannabe leaders. What then would be the best first step for someone who aspires to be a leader? This brings up a second fundamental question about leadership, what should a leader lead? My opinion is that it doesn’t matter what a leader leads as long as they are doing something they are passionate about; in other words they are being authentic.

A transcript of an interview between Bill George and UPenn’s Wharton School of business is available here. In this interview George discusses his ideas and research supporting authentic leadership. Perhaps before learning how to lead we should all learn why.

 

Link to Bill George interview: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1697References

 

References

Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.