Becoming A Generational Leader #1-Are Leaders Born or Made?

I hope you are having a great time guys. It’s been a few days now since I talked about rolling out this series but my schedules have not really allowed me to settle down for this. I am so grateful to God and all my followers that at last the series is out for your entertainment, education and impartation. I couldn’t have done it if you too were not there guys. So relax and enjoy.

The need for good leadership in today’s world cannot be overemphasized. This need cuts across all spheres of life be it family, company, religious organizations or just a group of people. This need presents an opportunity for all who will care to pay the price to become a generational leader.

WHO IS A GENERATIONAL LEADER?

I will like to define a leader as someone whether male or female irrespective of race or tribe who discovers a vision of the future, motivates and inspires people to engage with that vision until it’s fulfillment.

Genarational in this context simply means to last for many generations.

A generational leader can therefore be defined as someone whether male or female irrespective of race or tribe who discovers a vision of the future, motivates and inspires people to engage with that vision until it’s fulfillment thereby impressing impact on many generations.

ARE GENERATIONAL LEADERS BORN OR MADE?

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Well, there has been this argument in recent times as to whether leaders generally are born or made. There are many opinions that support and many also that oppose. For instance, Christopher A. Bylone once inferred in one of his articles on Campus pride that great leaders are born. According to him, “a combination of natural genetic traits that always subconsciously, affects our behavior. Temperament is the foundation upon which leaders construct the values of their character and personality.”.
It was Thomas Carlyle that said “To suggest that leaders do not enter the world with extraordinary endowment is to imply that people enter the world with equal abilities, with equal talents.”

On the other hand, Behavioral Theories assert that people can become leaders through the process of teaching, learning and observation. The military appreciates this school of thought which is evident in its leadership training programme.

On a personal note however, I believe there must be elements from the two views above for a generational leader to emerge. Not everyone can be a leader just like not everyone can become a good tailor. Being born with great traits alone is not enough and neither is learning or taking responsibility. Great leaders must posses some latent abilities that projects whatever it is they learn over time in the school of leadership. If the fear of leading overrides the willingness to take on the responsibilities then one is only a follower. These verses below from the bible help to buttress this point.

Jeremiah 1 vs 5 says "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." As we see in this verse, Jeremiah had some in-born capabilities at birth but the leader in him wouldn't have seen the light without taking responsibility.

The verse about implies that it took preparation, learning, relearning, taking responsibility, etc for Jotham to become a generational leader. There must be a combination of both views to make a generational leader.

I'll be stopping here for today.
In my next post, we shall be examining the core values of a generational leader, some biblical examples of generational leaders and how to become a generational leader.

Thank you for reading. I sincerely appreciate your time.