Question

Recent genetics research on leadership by Dr. Richard Avey suggests about 30% of leadership is born (genetic), 30% is made in the formative years (young in life), and about 30% of leadership is "made" throughout one's life. A quote by Warren Bennis informs this discussion when he said "more leaders have been made by accident, circumstance, sheer grit, or will than have been made by all the leadership courses put together." Do you agree or disagree with this statement, and why? If you agree, how would you design a leadership course differently?

Answer 1

In my opinion, the statement given by Warren Bennis is completely correct. In fact, I would be inclined to come up with a leadership course which will incorporate the learning of important terms but my course will also include the vast experience which is learnt by an individual throughout the span of his or her life. I have the opinion that it is not necessary to learn only from the books but out experiences in life also have the potential to teach us a lot of lessons. I will have the designing of the class in such a manner that the persons who will attain the class will have to share his or her experiences in the life. In fact, some of the business courses which I have gone through are really helped with the experiences which I got from my life. At present, I am going through a short course on Leadership and the main focus of this course revolves around the experiences of life which one has. If a person does not have any significant life experiences, then he or she has to utilize the course content learnt during the leadership program. In my opinion, this is the best method of learning.