This question comes up a lot. History gives us examples of people who seemed wired for leadership—natural presence, confidence, decisiveness. Those outliers exist. But they’re the exception, not the rule. Most effective leaders are cultivated. They’re taught. They’re coached. They’re corrected. They’re shaped by failure, accountability, and time under pressure. Leadership isn’t a personality trait—it’s a skill set built through repetition and standards. What usually gets mistaken for “born leadership” is early exposure: - Someone who was held to high expectations early - Someone who had mentors that didn’t lower the bar - Someone who learned consequences before comfort The real divide isn’t born vs. made. It’s intentional vs. accidental. People don’t drift into leadership. They either pursue it deliberately or they inherit authority without developing the skills—and the difference shows quickly. Questions for you: - Who actually shaped your leadership, whether they meant to or not? - What habits or standards were trained into you over time? - Where are you relying on instinct instead of development? Comment: Do you believe leadership can be taught—and if so, what’s one skill you had to learn the hard way?

What does leadership mean to you right now—not the textbook definition, but how it’s showing up in your life?