Is Leadership Learnable?

They are the people who just have that 'knaack'knowlege? Did you go to school for something?
of drawing people in some way. What is it thatTell others about it. Are you musically inclined?
makes a leader the way of a leader? SomePerform in front of people. If you know about
people are just born lucky with this quality. Butbusiness, talk about business. People like to listen
what about the other 90% of us? Is leadershipto those who have a good understanding of a
learnable even if you're not born with it?certain subject. Even if it's the only thing they
Absolutely! I can tell you I wasn't a born leader.know. If they know it well, you can learn about
I've gone to Barnes and Noble I don't know howthat. Don't try to talk in depth about something
many times and bought the self improvementyou don't know very well. It doesn't give you
and how-to books on leadership and success. I'venearly as much credibility. I'm talking to you right
read them cover to cover, always digging for thenow about leadership. Why? Because I know
secret that makes one a leader. And they all sayleadership. And I know success.
the same thing: it's in the way you think. If youFocus on your thinking patterns for a couple
think positively, you will be positive. If you thinkweeks. When you catch yourself getting down or
you are going to fail, you will. The saying holdsdoubting yourself, notice what made you that
true, "you can accomplish anything you set yourway, and if your thinking is making it better or
mind to." A positive mindset can surely help usworse. Is someone else truly to blame for this, or
develop leadership, and that leads to relationships.are you? It's always easier to blame someone
Well, if we all know what that secret ingredient is,else for our problems, but the power comes in
why aren't we all leaders?realizing when we need to take the responsibility.
It's much easier said than done. It takes time andThe more you practice this, the easier it is to not
even practice. Everybody has their days, evenlet you beat yourself up mentally.
the greatest leaders of the world. That's normal.Stick to you guns. If you know something is right,
Some of those bad ones are hard on oureven when someone else says it's wrong, hold on
mentality, and bring us down again. But a strongtight to your story. Again, easier said than done.
mind will pick us right back up again. You've gottaWhat if you're wrong? You think leaders are
keep trying. Anything that involves changing yournever wrong? How do you think they learn from
mind is a battle back and forth. But you getmistakes if they never make them? Even if you
better if you stick to it. Imagine you are a leader.are wrong, you learn something. If you are right,
What would you act like? How would you dealothers will know. Thus you should know where
with decision making? If you see yourself thatyou stand on important issues, topics, and beliefs.
way, others will too.The good news, you don't have to be born a
To better your leadership skills, start small andleader to become one. It doesn't happen
work up. Read a couple good books to get youovernight, but it happens a little more every day.
started, such as True North: Discover YourEven the top leaders today have good and bad
Authentic Leadership and Change Your Thinking,days. The difference is that their mindset is
Change Your Life. Get involved in your church orstrong enough to get them right back on track.
synagogue to lead others in prayer. Volunteer toWith a little practice and realization, you can better
coordinate a project at school, or coach youryour thinking to be more positive. Share what you
child's soccer team. In business, go out of yourknow, whether it be beliefs, values, skills, or
way to help others who have questions. They willknowledge. This will, in turn, help you be seen as a
appreciate that and know that you are a goodleadership by others. So go ahead, take a chance.
person to go to for help. You just became aI dare you to be a leader!
leader in their eyes. What is your area of