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Cutting-Edge Leadership

The best in current leadership research and theory, from cultivating charisma to transforming your organization.

by Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D.

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D., is Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College. See full bio

March 19, 2009,

Comments on "Leaders: Born or Made?"

Leaders: Born or Made?

By Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D. on March 19, 2009 in Cutting-Edge Leadership

This is the most basic and most often-asked question about leadership. To cut to the chase, the answer is: Read More

it helps

Submitted by Anonymous on March 19, 2009 - 8:16am.

Leaders can be made, especially with the help of a teleprompter.

While i do agree with 90% of

Submitted by mith4eva on March 30, 2009 - 11:16am.

While i do agree with 90% of the article, here is my own theory. While most of leadership can be learned (as you rightly pointed out), i believe there is a "kind" of leadership that cannot be learned. People (leaders) who beong to this group have one important characteristic that sets them apart from all others, it's what makes them succeed and also makes them great. I call these "kind" of leaders World Changers. They come only once in a generation. Mandela, King Jr., Mother Teresa, Ghandi, Helen Keller, Lincoln to mention a few you will agree are a special breed! What sets the apart, cannot be learned, acquired or faked. It is inborn, often rare and genuine. It is the reason they are always remembered... It is EMPATHY!

Of all of the qualities of a leader, this i believe, is the CORE. And it cannot be learnt!

(I do stand corrected.)