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DIGIULIOLeadersarebornnotmade Justin Di Giulio PSM310 Gri
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Justin V Di Giulio
Griffith University
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Justin V Di Giulio1i
FCILTA, AFAIM, CPMgr
1
Parcel Locker 10012 59584 Docklands, Victoria, 3008
Email for correspondence: justin.digiulio@griffithuni.edu.au
Abstract
This paper examines an age old question of whether leaders are born or made. The
paper considers various leadership theories and discusses different viewpoints to
consider this question.
Keywords: leadership, trait theory, emotional intelligence, behavioural theories
Page 1 of 6
Justin V Di Giulio
PSM310 Leadership and Business Acumen
Are leaders born or made?
Justin Di Giulio
concern for people and concern for emerged and combines research in
production. This attempted to define emotional intelligence and leadership
different leadership styles based on these theory in an integrated fashion in an
dimensions. Research solely on attempt to understand and define how
behaviours eventually lost steam, as there these two areas of study work together.
was inconsistencies in the research’s So, can emotional intelligence be learned,
situations in which they were applied. or is innate in the person? Goldsmith
(2009) undertook a review of research by
More recent research has focused on the Delphine (2009, p. 36) that it can be
importance of “context or the larger achieved.
system in which a leader and followers Goldsmith (2009) states “Delphine and
work” (Allen et al, 2012). Two models of her colleagues found that members of the
“Emotional Intelligence” (EI) currently group that received the training showed a
exist, these are namely the ability model significant improvement in their ability to
(Mayer & Salovey, 1997) and a mixed identify their feelings and the feelings of
model (Bar-On, 2006; Goleman, 1995). others, as well as to manage and control
their emotions. What's more, these
Goleman (1995) focused his research on improvements were apparent not only
four basic competencies. These four right after the training but also six months
competency areas included self- later.”
awareness, social awareness, self-
management and social skills. People who Conclusion
displayed higher levels of ability in these
areas were considered to have higher There are many differing views on
emotional intelligence. whether leaders are born or made. This
paper attempts to examine some of the
Increasingly research suggests that theories and provide some additional
Emotional Intelligence plays a very perspectives on this topic. These
important role in determining leadership perspectives include whether leadership is
success in life. Furthermore, after a trait of individuals, whether leaders are
extensive research, Bar-On (2006) born with neurological differences, or
developed a measure to determine how whether emotional intelligence can be
effective leaders may be by determining developed. It is this author’s contention
their emotional intelligence quotient that similar to other types of talents,
(E.Q.). People with higher E.Q. scores, are leadership as a skill can be learned. There
considered to have high levels of may be a small percentage of leaders who
emotional intelligence and hence perform may be born with individual traits which
better in the work environment in settings lend itself to leadership, but leadership
where empathy and soft-skills are itself can be learned, especially by
required. Easlis (2012) indicates committed individuals who display an
employees with higher E.Q.’s have higher interest in doing so.
employee satisfaction scores.
Page 4 of 6
Justin V Di Giulio
PSM310 Leadership and Business Acumen
Are leaders born or made?
Justin Di Giulio
References
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Page 5 of 6
Justin V Di Giulio
PSM310 Leadership and Business Acumen
Are leaders born or made?
Justin Di Giulio
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i
The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those solely of the author, and do not necessarily constitute those of the
Victorian State Government and/or past employers.
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Justin V Di Giulio