Leadership Challenge

Leadership

Cezar Agalliu

Is leadership considered an innate aspect of one's personality or character?

Posted: Feb 18, 2024 5:55 AM

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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada

Some folks might have innate characteristics which can help them be better leaders (e.g. higher levels of empathy), but if those are not combined with the right intent then they won't help whereas folks who might lack some of these characteristics but have a growth mindset are able to become exceptional leaders over time if they are self-aware and take advantage of feedback from others.

Kiron

Posted: Feb 18, 2024 7:59 AM

Cezar Agalliu

Thank you for the suggestion, Kiron. "Adam Grant's 'Hidden Potential' sounds like a valuable resource for exploring the distinctions between personality and character, which can provide deeper insight into the nature of leadership development.

Posted: Feb 18, 2024 8:20 AM

Rami Kaibni

Community Champion

Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

While some individuals may naturally possess some leadership qualities, they can also develop and enhance their leadership abilities through deliberate effort and a willingness to learn and grow because naturally having this quality is not always enough!

Posted: Feb 18, 2024 11:36 AM

Jeffrey Bowe Senior Project Manager| American Tower Tyngsboro, Ma, United States

Some people are born natural leaders and have certain qualities that +cause others to rally around them and their ideas but it doesn't mean those are the only people that can be leaders. Learning about your own specific skills and developing your EQ can help build your abilities and even confidence.

Regardless, if someone is a natural leader or learned to lead, those skills need to be practiced and tested consistently in order to continue being a good leader.

Posted: Feb 19, 2024 10:45 AM

Maria Hrabikova

Community Champion

Ricany U Prahy, Prague, Czechia

Cezar,
Let me offer a different viewpoint to address your question, focusing on the dynamics of introversion versus extroversion and dispelling common misconceptions surrounding leadership: Studies indicate that introverts and extroverts are equally effective in academic and corporate environments and that there is no correlation between CEO charisma and company performance.

Leigh Thompson, the J. Jay Gerber Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the author of the WSJ article, debunks two common myths about leadership.
a) People often think that outgoing, alpha individuals make good leaders. Nonetheless, extroverts' social skills do not automatically mean they are great leaders.
b) Studies have shown that acting extroverted might get someone chosen as a leader, but this approach can overlook introverts' valuable traits.

Introversion is a distinct set of traits with merits rather than simply a lack of extroversion. Introversion includes unique qualities that make introverts excellent leaders (especially in today's remote work environment).

Here is the link to the article:
https://www.wsj.com/business/c-suite/intro...ace-8c3b1ba3?st

Posted: Feb 19, 2024 3:21 PM

Cezar Agalliu

Maria,

Thank you for shedding light on the misconception surrounding introversion and extroversion in leadership. It's crucial to recognize that leadership effectiveness isn't confined to any particular personality type.

Your insights highlight the importance of understanding and leveraging individual strengths, whether they stem from introverted or extroverted tendencies. Indeed, effective leadership encompasses a diverse range of qualities and characteristics.

As we've discussed, leadership development involves a continuous process of growth and self-awareness. Embracing and harnessing both introverted and extroverted traits can lead to more nuanced and adaptive leadership styles, particularly in today's dynamic work environments.

I appreciate your contribution to this thought-provoking conversation.

Best regards,

Posted: Feb 20, 2024 9:53 AM

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