Friday, April 1, 2011
norman brown - leadership being taught
Recently I read the books by John Maxwell, Developing the leader within You and Developing the Leader Around You. In Developing the leader within You, Maxwell makes the statement, “Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional. (p ix)” I agree with this statement because I used to have the same paradigm. I wanted all the trimmings to look influential, but I was not willing to do things to make me influential. I was naïve in believing in the trappings of a false facade. Maxwell believes that leadership can be taught. “leadership is not an exclusive club for those who were ‘born with it’. (page ix)” Good leaders are made not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience (Jago, 1982). Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership knowledge and skills. This is called Process Leadership (Jago, 1982). However, we know that we have traits that can influence our actions. This is called Trait Leadership (Jago, 1982), in that it was once common to believe that leaders were born rather than made. Leadership is learned, the skills and knowledge processed by the leader can be influenced by his or hers attributes or traits, such as beliefs, values, ethics, and character. Knowledge and skills contribute directly to the process of leadership, while the other attributes give the leader certain characteristics that make him or her unique.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
While I agree that people can be taught leadership skills, I think there must be somewhat of a disclaimer given when it is said that anyone can be a leader. What does it mean to be a leader? I believe it is Maxwell who says that a leading is influence. If this is the case, then yes, everyone can and should be lead. However, when most people think of a leader they think of someone who exhibits outward signs of influencing others. Certain personality types and natural giftings are going to equip individuals to be leaders of this type. It seems that others are more gifted in coming alongside of those who are leading and be an indispensable part of the organization, movement, or church.
ReplyDeleteIt seems in your post that Maxwell recognizes that the traits a person has influence what type of leader he or she becomes. I might argue that not all traits are easily transferrable into being a leader. Without reading further into Maxwell, it would be interesting to hear the different stories of people he would consider a leader. Once again, if he believes that leadership is influence, then absolutely yes, everyone can be a leader if only taught the proper skills.