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Can leadership be taught is one of those questions that everyone in the business world asks from time to time. Nowadays, leadership in the workplace is such a big deal that it is impossible to overlook. Everyone wants dedicated, determined, self-motivated people under them. It makes for a more efficient environment and a greater degree of innovation. Ideally, everyone would be a leader. Everyone would be able to critically evaluate what he or she is doing and determine how to do an even better job.
Nevertheless, the question can leadership Be taught is by no means an easy question. Some people believe that it can't. There are a lot of people who eschew leadership training programs, arguing that some people are born leaders and other people are born followers. Other people have a very different approach. They believe that leadership can be taught. I have gone to several leadership training seminars as part of the human resources department of my company, and I have seen some pretty convincing arguments both ways. Ultimately, I think that anyone who honestly asks can leadership be taught will eventually find their way to the same answer: yes.
That doesn't mean that everyone will be able to lead to the same degree. Can leadership be taught is one question; can everyone be a great leader is another one. The answer to the first is yes, but the answer to the second surely is no. Nonetheless, everyone can learn skills of self motivation, independence, and personal responsibility. Everyone can learn to stand a little bit taller and take responsibility for his or her actions.
That isn't to say that leadership is the end-all and be-all goal of every business. It simply isn't. There are plenty of other skills that are important besides leadership. You want organized people, and people who are willing to take orders and do what you ask them to. Having too many people with a strong desire to lead can undermine this position.
Still, you don't want to have to micromanage every second of every day for every person. Knowing that your workers can be counted on to act independently is a pretty reassuring thing for anyone in business. That is why so many businesses nowadays are willing to invest so many resources in teaching leadership courses. You don't want everyone to be in charge, but you do want everyone to be in charge of himself.
Nevertheless, the question can leadership Be taught is by no means an easy question. Some people believe that it can't. There are a lot of people who eschew leadership training programs, arguing that some people are born leaders and other people are born followers. Other people have a very different approach. They believe that leadership can be taught. I have gone to several leadership training seminars as part of the human resources department of my company, and I have seen some pretty convincing arguments both ways. Ultimately, I think that anyone who honestly asks can leadership be taught will eventually find their way to the same answer: yes.
That doesn't mean that everyone will be able to lead to the same degree. Can leadership be taught is one question; can everyone be a great leader is another one. The answer to the first is yes, but the answer to the second surely is no. Nonetheless, everyone can learn skills of self motivation, independence, and personal responsibility. Everyone can learn to stand a little bit taller and take responsibility for his or her actions.
That isn't to say that leadership is the end-all and be-all goal of every business. It simply isn't. There are plenty of other skills that are important besides leadership. You want organized people, and people who are willing to take orders and do what you ask them to. Having too many people with a strong desire to lead can undermine this position.
Still, you don't want to have to micromanage every second of every day for every person. Knowing that your workers can be counted on to act independently is a pretty reassuring thing for anyone in business. That is why so many businesses nowadays are willing to invest so many resources in teaching leadership courses. You don't want everyone to be in charge, but you do want everyone to be in charge of himself.
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