You Can Learn Leadership, Right?

It’s taken as a given that leaders are born with innate leadership qualities. However, great leaders are not necessarily born with these qualities. 

Many great leaders became excellent leaders because they had the courage and perseverance to learn how to be good leaders. 

As Harold S. Geneen said, “Leadership cannot really be taught; it can only be learned.”

So, what defines good leadership? How can you learn it?

What Are the Skills of a Good Leader?

Let’s first try and list the skills of a great leader. In this case, a good leader possesses the following qualities:

• Perseverance
• Willingness to learn from mistakes
• Can see the big picture/has vision
• Willing to take bold decisions
• Good communication skills/a good listener
• Solid integrity
• The ability to be fair to all
• Humility

Fortunately, you can acquire most of these qualities with enough perseverance and determination. In fact, that’s why we believe leadership can be learned if a person is willing to persevere and open to learning.

Here are some pointers for those who want to learn leadership:

1. Observe

If you are keen to learn leadership, you can start by observing the good leaders you like and learn from them.

2. Be open to learn

A good leader learns good leadership skills by opening oneself to newer and better ways of doing things. So, if you want to learn leadership, you need to make sure you are open to learning.

3. Put knowledge into practice

You also need to make sure you use what you observe and learn in practice. By practicing what you have learned, you can learn how to modify and hone your skills. You will also know what works for you and what does not.

4. Persevere

One thing you need to accept is that you can’t become a good leader without making mistakes. However, a good leader takes failure in stride, learns from their mistake, and uses it as an opportunity to improve.

5.  Find a mentor, or be one

Senior members of an organisation should play an active role in nurturing and mentoring rising talent. They need to identify suitable candidates for leadership roles and then train and guide them through the steps to becoming great leaders. Remember, good leadership cannot be taught, but it can be learned.