Are leaders born or made? Asking the right question.

Abstract

Purpose The current viewpoint addressed the old debate on whether leaders are born or made and argues that both perspectives are relevant and that leaders are a combination of both. Design/methodology/approach Based on personal experience working and researching leadership development this viewpoint argues for the need to understand that both leaders are born but they need to be developed. Findings The article provides arguments for the synergy that exist between the view that leaders are made and the view that argues that leaders are born. Originality/value From an originality perspective the article attempts to build a bridge between the ideas that leaders are born or made by focusing on the synergies of both camps.