The person, at their core, must be a certain kind of person. But then I think you would agree that they would need shaped to understand how to apply those core characteristics in the form of good leadership.

Wouldn’t you say there are techniques and implementations that need to be learned? Even the most empathetic person might not know how to best apply that to a leadership role.

This, to me, sounds like you want to teach leaders how to be managers which is awesome. I mean, look at Peter B. Lewis.

Peter B. Lewis is a natural leader; he’s always trying to do what’s right, not just for his company but for the community he lives in. He definitely falls into the management category too, but because of his natural great leadership stills, he has become a standout manager who has earned respect from his employees and his peers in the business world.

I agree with all of them. These, in particular, are really important points from your comments:

It’s more of a lifestyle then a position.

Real leaders don’t want to be leaders; they lead because it’s what is neccessary. People can grow into being a leader because they have to, either for themselves or for the good of others,

I agree that concern, respect and empathy are great qualities, but can those really be taught? Those seem more like inate parts of a person rather then a skill.

We as a company are looking for the good leaders and they really won’t need to be taught; they’ll just need guidance from the rest of our team of leaders to hone and apply those skills.

I think we have to keep all of this in mind as we are hiring people. We are looking for people that have these traits naturally. Then the rest will be easy.

The person, at their core, must be a certain kind of person. But then I think you would agree that they would need shaped to understand how to apply those core characteristics in the form of good leadership.

Wouldn’t you say there are techniques and implementations that need to be learned? Even the most empathetic person might not know how to best apply that to a leadership role.

Let me know what you think.

I love the topic of leadership theory so here’s my thoughts…

I think you can’t learn leadership from a book. You can study the styles and techniques of great leaders but the application of those principles has to come naturally. Leadership by it’s very nature is not a set of rules. It’s the ability to adapt yourself and guide those around you in an ever-changing environment. It’s more of a lifestyle then a position.

Real leaders don’t want to be leaders; they lead because it’s what is neccessary. People can grow into being a leader because they have to, either for themselves or for the good of others, not because they read a book. To boil leadership down to a base set of rules demeans the whole role to little more then a machine applying a set of rules to a given situation.

I agree that concern, respect and empathy are great qualities, but can those really be taught? Those seem more like inate parts of a person rather then a skill. You said yourself, “If a person doesn’t believe in these principles they shouldn’t be a leader and really probably shouldn’t be on the team.” Even you seem to unconsiously know that these are inate.

I like your point that you have to lead for The Good. I think that’s very true. Leaders can be selfish or selfless. I think more and more we’re seeing the selfish ones (just turn on C-Span, you’ll see a bunch of them). We as a company are looking for the good leaders and they really won’t need to be taught; they’ll just need guidance from the rest of our team of leaders to hone and apply those skills.