Are Leaders Born or Made? Is Leadership Learnable or Innate?

The question of “Great leaders are born, not made,” evokes an image of destined greatness. It explains why some people naturally seem to inspire others, why certain individuals walk into a room and command attention, and why some appear destined for leadership from the very start. But is this really how leadership works? Here surfaces a debate, “Are Leaders Born or Made?”, which leads to a comparison between nature vs. nurture in leadership. And both sides have compelling evidence.

Here’s what science actually says: This belief is almost entirely wrong. Research from the University of Illinois, the Journal of Applied Psychology, and twin studies across decades consistently show the same thing: Leadership is approximately 30% genetic and 70% developed through experience, education, and deliberate practice.

Let’s explore the real evidence, understand what actually makes leaders effective.

 

Are leaders Born or Made? Why This Debate Matters?

In a rapidly changing world, how we understand leadership has real implications. Organizations must invest more in leadership development (not just hire “natural-born” leaders).

• For Diversity and Inclusion: Recognizing that leadership qualities can be imparted opens the door for more diverse leaders not just those with pre-existing traits.
• For Personal Growth: For individuals, knowing that leadership qualities develops with training is empowering. It means you can grow, evolve, and take charge of your own leadership journey.

 

Arguments in Favour of “Leaders Are Born”

Is leadership a genetic advantage? Scientific studies suggest that genetics play a significant role. A twin study found that up to 48% of transactional leadership traits and nearly 59% of transformational leadership traits may be explained by heritability.

This doesn’t mean that every great leader was born that way. Instead, what it does hint that some people may be born with a stronger foundation of personality traits like extroversion, self-confidence, risk tolerance, and social intelligence.

Historically, leadership “trait theory” and the Great Man Theory also support this. According to those theories, certain individuals are inherently wired to lead.

 

Are Leaders Born or Made – The Historical “Born Leader” Myth

Before we dive into what research actually shows, let’s understand why the “born leader” myth exists in the first place.

The Great Man Theory

In the 19th century, historians and philosophers proposed the “Great Man Theory”, an idea that shows exceptional individuals born with innate greatness. They looked at Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and concluded that These people were born different. They were destined to lead.

The problem is that they were cherry-picking examples. They saw successful leaders and worked backward to explain their success. Coincidentally, they all happened to also have wealthy families with political connections, access to elite education, and years of experience in leadership positions.

But the Great Man Theory didn’t account for the thousand other people born with similar genetic potential who never became famous because they lacked the environment and opportunity.

 

The Trait Theory

Next, the Trait Theory is an idea which says that great leaders possess certain fixed personality traits like charisma, confidence, and intelligence. Researchers tried to identify which traits separated leaders from non-leaders. They tested: Confidence, Dominance, Intelligence, Communication skills, Integrity, and here’s what they found: Many of these traits can be developed and improved. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s built through experience. Communication skills aren’t innate, they’re practiced and refined.

The trait theory made a critical error that it assumed traits were static, but in actually these virtues are dynamic.

 

What Are The Genetic Factors in Leaders: What Natural Qualities Leaders Have

What type of genetic or natural factors make for a leader? Do natural factors really matter?

Research suggests genetic factors influence following qualities in a leader:

1. Emotional Intelligence

Certain genetic variations influence how your brain processes emotions and how sensitive you are to others’ emotional states. This can make it easier for some people to connect with and empathize with others. It makes up for a core leadership skill.

2. Cognitive Ability

Some people naturally have higher intelligence quotient since genetically. This can help with strategic thinking, problem-solving, and complex decision-making. But, cognitive skills improve with practice and strategic thinking can be learned.

3. Openness to Experience

Some people are naturally more curious and open to new ideas. This trait predisposes them to seek leadership opportunities and engage in continuous learning.

4. Extroversion/Introversion

Some people are naturally more outgoing and talkative. This might make initial leadership emergence easier. But introverts consistently become exceptional leaders. Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Marissa Mayer were all introverts. Introversion doesn’t prevent leadership. It just manifests differently.

 

The Arguments in Favour of “Leaders Are Made”

While nature provides a starting point, many experts strongly argue that leadership can be learned, practiced, and refined. Experience is everything. The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) follows a “70-20-10” model to explain how leaders grow:

 

The 70-20-10 Rule: How Leaders Actually Learn

The Center for Creative Leadership extensively researched how leaders develop. They found that leaders learn through:

• 70% through challenging experiences and on-the-job learning
• 20% through developmental relationships and mentorship
• 10% through formal education and training

This ratio tells us that leadership development isn’t primarily about classroom learning. It’s about doing, reflecting, and getting feedback. One becomes a leader by taking on challenging projects, failing and learning from failures, reflecting on what worked and what didn’t, and getting feedback from mentors.

 

Are Leaders Born or Made: How is the Learning & Growth Path

People acquire key leadership competencies, like decision-making, communication, empathy, resilience over time. Even someone without “natural-born” leadership traits can become highly effective. In fact, research suggests that while genetics provide some advantage, about two-thirds of effective leadership comes from learned behavior.

Why It Matters

For aspiring leaders: Leadership isn’t locked behind a genetic lottery. You can develop it.

For companies: Investing in leadership development programs, mentoring, and on-the-job exposure can yield strong leaders from an early stage.

 

Arguments Against “Leaders Are Born Not Made”

1. Inconsistency

If leadership trait was primarily genetic, we’d expect certain families to produce leaders generation after generation. We don’t see that. Many leaders come from families with no leadership background. Many leaders have siblings with no leadership interest.

 

2. Opportunity

Most “born leaders” in history had something in common, Opportunity! Napoleon had military rank. Caesar was born into Roman nobility. Churchill had family political connections. How many people with similar genetic potential never became leaders because they lacked opportunity? Probably millions.

If leadership were truly genetic, opportunity wouldn’t matter as much. But it does.

 

3. Skills

The most important leadership capabilities are learnable skills. Such skills are strategic thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making frameworks, conflict resolution, and delegation. People learn these skills, practice, and master over time.

If leadership were primarily genetic, why would these learnable skills matter so much?

 

4. Leadership Development

If leaders were born, not made, companies wouldn’t invest billions in leadership development programs. Yet Microsoft, Google, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and virtually every Fortune 500 company invest heavily in leadership training. Why? Because it works. Programs demonstrably improve leadership capability.

If leadership were purely genetic, this investment would be pointless. But it’s not pointless, it produces results.

 

The Modern Consensus: Are Leaders Born or Made?

Most leadership scholars and practitioners today lean toward a combined view: leaders are both born and made. Here’s where the debate gets sophisticated: It’s not nature vs. nurture. It’s nature and nurture working together.

Some people’s genetic makeup makes certain leadership qualities easier to develop:

• Higher emotional intelligence baseline → easier to develop empathy
• Natural extraversion → easier to practice public speaking without fear
• High cognitive ability → easier to grasp complex strategy

But these advantages don’t predestine anyone to leadership success. They just provide a starting point. Think of it like athletic potential: Some people are born with genetic advantages for running (longer legs, better oxygen processing, muscle fiber composition). These genetic advantages matter in elite athletics.

But a person without these genetic advantages who trains rigorously will beat an genetically gifted person who doesn’t train. Leadership works the same way.

 

Counterarguments to “Leaders Are Made”

1. “Evidently, some people are naturally good leaders!”

Yes. Some people have genetic advantages that make leadership development easier. That doesn’t mean others can’t become great leaders. They might need to work harder or follow a different path. Having an advantage doesn’t mean a guaranteed success. Similarly, lacking an advantage doesn’t mean a guaranteed failure.

 

2. “I’ve tried and I’m just not a leader.”

Most people haven’t genuinely engaged in the 70-20-10 framework. They haven’t consistently sought mentorship, worked on specific skills, and reflected on their development. “Trying” and giving up isn’t the same as 5-10 years of deliberate practice.

 

3. “What about those rare born leaders who just command a room?”

Those “rare born leaders” usually have years of experience that made their current presence possible. Their development path isn’t visible to us. The charisma we admire was built through speaking practice, relationship-building, and dealing with pressure.

 

4. “If leadership can be taught, why aren’t more people good leaders?”

Because it requires the three-step process: readiness, willingness, and ability. People lack one or more of these. While, many believe leaders are born (no readiness), some aren’t willing to invest the effort (not willing). Many haven’t learned specific skills (not able). But with all three, people can become effective leaders.

 

Also read, How to prepare for CAT GDPI Topics

 

 

Are Leaders Born Or Made – Key Take-Aways

If you’re someone who wonders, “Do I have leadership in me?” The good news is that you absolutely can grow into a great leader. And if you already feel a bit of a natural spark, growth can magnify that spark.

• Reflect on Your Strengths & Gaps
  Assess your current leadership traits. Are you naturally confident? Empathetic? Do you struggle with decision-making?
• Learn on the Ground
  Take on stretch projects, lead small teams, volunteer to drive initiatives. Real-world challenges help develop leadership muscle.
• Build Mentoring Relationships
  Look for mentors, coaches, or peer leaders. Learning from those who have “been there” accelerates development.
• Invest in Continuous Learning
  Take leadership courses, read books, join workshops, and practice leadership in daily contexts — not just in big moments.