Are leaders born or made? Consider a young man from a village in South Africa, a boy raised in a one room log cabin in Kentucky, and a young girl born into a politically powerful Indian family? Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa; Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States, and Indira Gandhi, India's first female prime minister, all became highly effective, very well-known leaders, and came to their positions following very different paths. How did they arrive at success? What characteristics enable them to inspire and motivate their citizens, greatly impacting their nation's history? Some people rise as natural leaders, capturing respect and admiration due to their charisma and intellect. Others are born into legacies of leadership, like royalty or strong political families. And for others, leadership is a hard earned goal that comes after much persistance, education, and refinement of style. What makes someone an effective leader? Can anyone become a strong leader with proper training and education? Studying theories and principles of leadership development will shine light on these longstanding questions.
