“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born — that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.” Warren Bennis
Why the Best Leadership Isn’t About DNA, but Daily Decisions
There’s a comforting myth that floats around in leadership circles — that some people are just “natural born leaders.” They have the charisma, the confidence, the instincts, the spark. The rest of us? Well, good luck catching up.
But here’s the truth: great leaders are made, not born.
I’ve seen it time and again — especially with introverted leaders who thought they weren’t cut out for leadership roles until they started asking the right questions, surrounding themselves with the right people, and doing the deeper work of becoming.
Let me tell you about one of them.
The Case of Sarah: From Hesitant Manager to Transformational Leader
Mike was promoted to Head of Operations in a fast-growing tech company. He was smart, capable, and reliable — but plagued with self-doubt. In his words, he “wasn’t loud enough to lead.” He often deferred in meetings, avoided tough conversations, and hid his own ideas behind phrases like, “I’m not sure if this will work, but…”
What changed?
He didn’t suddenly become someone else. He became more of who he already was.
He became curious about why certain situations triggered his anxiety. He sought feedback. He started journaling and talking with close friends about his leadership wins and failures. He practiced asking better questions. And took seriously the idea that leadership could be learned, like any other skill.
Today? He’s the kind of leader people want to follow. His quiet strength, calm under pressure, and ability to draw out the best in his team — that didn’t come from being born with it. It came from doing the hard work.
How Do Leaders Grow?
Here are four practices that grow great leaders — and how you can use them today:
Grow in your Curiosity: Ask More, Assume Less
Curiosity is the seed of all leadership growth.
- Ask questions like: Why did that go well? What could I have done differently? What does my team need from me right now?
- Get curious in conflict — not defensive.
- Replace certainty with discovery.
Benefit: Curious leaders create learning cultures. Their teams feel safe to share ideas, speak up, and challenge the status quo — the birthplace of innovation.
Cultivate Humility: Let Go of Needing to Be Right
It has been said – Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself — it’s thinking of yourself less.
- Admit when you’re wrong.
- Credit others publicly and take responsibility privately.
- Listen to understand, not just to reply
Benefit: Humble leaders build trust. They create space for others to grow, contribute, and lead — multiplying the strength of the team.
Become Self-Aware: Learn to See What You Can’t Yet See
You cannot change what you can’t see.
- Use personality tools like the 5 Voices to understand your tendencies.
- Ask trusted peers: What’s it like to be on the other side of me?
- Reflect regularly. What did I learn today about myself and the situations I encountered?
Benefit: Self-aware leaders don’t just react — they respond. They lead with intention rather than impulse, and they create emotionally safe environments for others.
Learn from Everything: Lead with a Growth Mindset
Leadership development doesn’t happen in the classroom — it happens in the moments that stretch you wherever you are.
- See failure as feedback.
- Review your week: Where did I show up as the leader I want to be? Where did I fall short?
- Get a coach, mentor, or peer group who can help you process and grow.
Benefit: Leaders who learn from life become resilient, wiser, and adaptable. They make better decisions because they’re not afraid of the learning curve.
The Ripple Effect of Intentional Leadership
Here’s the good news: when you grow, everyone around you benefits.
- Your team starts owning their work.
- Communication gets clearer.
- People feel seen and heard.
- Trust builds.
- Culture improves.
- And outcomes follow.
You don’t need to have been “born to lead.” You need to be intentional about your growth.
Leadership is a journey of becoming. It starts not with a title, but with a decision:
I will grow into the kind of leader I have the potential to be.
And that’s what the best leaders — made, not born — do.
Want to take the next step in your growth as a leader?
Start with a leadership assessment like the 5 Voices to discover your natural strengths and blind spots — and let’s start building from there. Get in touch to learn more.
What are you learning today?
