Leadership can be learned
5 November 2024
I was listening to some conference attendees talk about leadership in a hotel lounge some time ago. The conversation repeatedly returned to the idea that good leaders end up that way because they are ‘naturally gifted’ and others end up as mediocre leaders because they don’t have ‘leadership talent’.
When the topic turned to hiring I raised the example of a young, quiet designer who had never managed people and focused on prototyping solutions rather than making bold visuals. The attendees advised me that this person was a poor choice for a leader because they did not show ‘natural leadership qualities’.
Several years afterwards I happened to interview one of these attendees for a design leadership role. They remembered the hotel lounge conversation and asked me what happened to that young designer I had spoken about.
That designer, I explained, had been practicing leadership skills. “How’d that go?” they enquired with the hint of an eye roll. “He’s interviewing you now”, I replied.
Leadership can be learned.
I have often heard the view that leadership is a ‘talent’ or personality attribute. This is a limiting belief and a dangerous one at that, for it causes people to self-select out of leadership opportunities.
Instead I encourage people to think of leadership as the application of specific skills. Framing leadership in terms of skills not only breaks down the mystique that can surrounds some leaders, it also spotlights the path to leadership - for skills can be learned through practice.
Let’s take one example: Communication is a key skill in leadership.
- A fixed mindset might say: “Some people naturally communicate well and others don’t.”
- A growth mindset might say: “Communication can be improved with guidance and focused practice.”
Anyone who has recently been on the receiving end of a teenager exercising their communication skills can attest to the value of practice in this regard. Learning to communicate effectively takes time and effort and focus. And with this time and effort and focus, skills improve.
What may start as a challenge, a big stretch - leading a project, team or hands on endeavour - becomes easier with experience and feedback.
A growing body of published research supports this thesis, that leadership (and our self-identity as leaders) is learned through the doing and that coaching and mentoring enhances this learning.
Effective leadership then emerges from the weaving together of these many skills in a very organic, human-centric manner. Understanding what good looks like and sourcing experienced guidance can be especially helpful. Yes, it can feel overwhelming to learn. And experienced leaders can sometimes seem like magicians.
Yet just like any other practice, confidence grows from challenge.
If I could go back in time and speak words to my younger self - that quiet designer unsure of his own ability - I would say: There is no magic. You can be the leader you seek by deliberately building skills through focused practice.
And so too can you.
Notice those limiting beliefs in your head that say: “You’re not talented at this.” In noticing limiting beliefs you have taken away their power, for beliefs can be changed if you are aware of them.
Consciously decide: I will learn leadership.
And then begin.
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