We often think of a leader as someone who can inspire others to follow them and willingly work toward fulfilling a mission. What is interesting to me is the question of whether a leader is born or made? Or, is it a combination of both?

I personally think that leaders have special traits that they were born with – they are trustworthy and not afraid to say what needs to be said. They typically have a certain amount of charisma and this is in part, why others choose to follow them. They are very clear about what needs to be done and communicate how they envision the path to success.

Having said this; I also believe that while certain personality traits may be something a person was born with, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a need to be groomed and coached along the way.

There are two quotes that I found, which to me, say what I believe about leadership:

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." — John Quincy Adams quotes (American 6th US President (1825-29), eldest son of John Adams, 2nd US president. 1767-1848)

"Leadership is a winning combination of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a leader, a person who directs the activities of others for the good of all. Anyone can be a leader, even if the only person they’re leading is themselves." By Susan Ward, About.com Guide

I think it’s also important to recognize that some of the greatest leaders in the world were able to endure setbacks and challenges and yet could still illustrate to others how to move forward and rise to the challenges they faced.

They instil faith in others. John Kotter, who is a distinguished author on leadership and change, states that effective leaders help others to understand the necessity of change and to accept a common vision of the desired outcome. His book, “The Leading Change Companion” speaks to the leader’s ability to thrive in the context of change.

I believe that communication is one of the keys to success; as do many other authorities on leadership.

David Thomas stresses the importance of “multimodality” in communication. “What you say is only the beginning,” he states. “Your behaviour, your actions, and your decisions are also ways of communicating, and leaders have to learn how to create a consistent message through all of these. It’s been said many times, but leaders lead by example.”

I also think there are leaders at many different levels in an organization. We even see leadership demonstrated on the school playground from some of the children. This is primarily why I believe that many leaders have the natural traits required. I personally don’t equate leadership with power – although there are no doubts that many leaders do indeed wield powerful positions.

Good leaders; however, would not abuse that power but rather they would empower others.

This is one of the reasons they are able to inspire others to fulfill their vision – they help others to make the vision theirs as well.

A good leader has the ability to get other excited about what he or she sees for the future! He or she must be able to bring others to action!

We are currently at a place in history that I think we need to recognize the natural ability that some of our employees’ posses to become leaders. Recognition is something I consider to be another leadership trait.

Let’s take those gifted individuals and provide them with essential training and development to move our businesses further ensuring we can face some challenges we’ve never faced before in our workplace...an aging population; skills shortages; technological advances; new generations with totally different views on work/life balance.

I’d be interested in hearing others’ opinions on what leadership means and look forward to some good conversation!.