What's In A Leader?

There are countless quotes, posts, articles and images associated with leadership in social media each day, for those individuals who are in search of leadership or questioning whether they might have what it takes to be a leader, themselves.

Employers are also listing, "excellent leadership," "strong leadership skills," "ability to demonstrate leadership," and the like, as top requirements to apply to open positions within their organization.

"Leader," is certainly a buzzword these days but what is the true, determining factor of a leader?

"I'm certain most people have heard the term "born leader." Could there be such an amazing specimen? Is it a genetic factor which some individuals possess and others do not?

Out of the womb and into the workforce, leading the way as the masses blindly follow!!!

I'd like to meet that individual.

I have also been included in conversations with hiring managers, about individuals who have applied to positions within an organization and were turned away because, "he's applied to several positions with us. He just wants to get his foot in the door."

How preposterous, that someone might want to work for the organization and has taken the opportunity to express his interest on more than one occasion. This guy certainly is not a leader!

There are also those who are limited in their leadership by their education with only a College diploma.

NO UNIVERSITY DEGREE? How dare you think you can lead!

Yet I can't help but wonder, if employers gave those individuals who really wanted to work for them a chance, what might happen? Is it possible they would gain an individual who is grateful to have been given the opportunity, loyal to the organization and passionate about contributing to the company?

If employers looked beyond the applicant's education and began to view years of experience in industry, along with a positive track record as equivalencies to a University education, could they possibly benefit from a work-ready individual; one who has already made green mistakes along the way and has valid life lessons to pull from when skills of problem-solving and conflict resolution are needed?

Lastly, if employers stopped putting existing employees into the "leader," and "non-leader," categories they determine and instead, listened to employees who said they want to move into a leadership role, could it build company morale and encourage more individuals to look at themselves as potential leaders, or at the very least become accountable to their own contribution to the organization's success?

I think so.

There is no such thing as a born leader. I believe the first and most significant quality in a leader, is simply the desire to lead. If given the chance to do so, the possibilities may be endless.