In this Episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins sits down with Eric Geiger and Daniel Im to discuss the oft-asked question: Are leaders born or made? Is it more nature or nurture that determines whether a person will be a great leader? They talk through the ingredients of leadership and what it is, exactly, that determines the effectiveness of a person’s leadership.
* In general, is leadership more a matter of nature (inherent skills/personality) or nurture (learned abilities and habits)?
* Which aspects of leadership can be learned and which are inherent traits?
* Based on this, can anyone be a leader or are some people simply incapable?
* How does the task of leadership development differ for those up and coming leaders who are “naturals” and those are more learners.
* What are the unique strengths and weaknesses of “natural” leaders and of learned leaders?
BEST QUOTES
“The type of leader you are is more nature. The effectiveness of your leadership is more nurture.”
“Sometimes a trial is what God uses to nurture us.”
“You’ll be the same person except for the books you read, the people you meet, and the places you travel.”
“Nurture has to happen differently based on a person’s nature.”
“Encouragement sometimes looks like a pat on the back and sometimes it looks like a kick in the pants.”
“Leadership is made up by a certain ineffable something that is between the people skills and getting stuff done.”
“If someone had all the fruits of the Spirit they would be emotionally intelligent.”
“God uses all different personality types and giftings to lead people.”
“Character is the first requirement for leadership above ability.”
“Everyone should be able to lead themselves.”
“We need to be careful not promote people beyond their level of competence or their level of character.”
“Great leadership development is going to be tailored to the individual.”
“You will limit your potential for growth if you don’t put yourself in positions to be stretched.”
“If they are not developed natural leaders will be entitled and will lose drive.”
“Leaders, if you think no one can take your place you are admitting to being a horrible leader.”
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Great by Choice by Jim Collins
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Talent is Over Rated by Geoff Colvin
We’d like to thank our sponsor, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. SEBTS is always asking the question, “Where are you going?” They want to equip pastors, missionaries, theologians, scholars and more to obey the commands of Jesus to make disciples anywhere and everywhere God calls them to go. Wherever students are going, Southeastern can help them get there. Southeastern Seminary has a wide range of degrees at many levels and all M.Div. programs now have a stronger core curriculum to better equip students biblically, theologically and practically for their current and future ministries. In addition to a stronger core, the total number of hours required to complete an M.Div. has been reduced to 81-84. They even offer distance education options for those who cannot relocate to North Carolina to study.
Apply now to begin your theological education at Southeastern. Use the code 5LQ to receive a discount on your application for any degree.
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