Knowledge:

You may have all the knowledge in the world about piano playing. But if you never touch a piano – you will not be able to play it.

You may have all the knowledge in the world about swimming. But if you never immerge your toes in the water – you will not be able to swim.

Skill:

You may have the skill to play the piano because you have played it all your life. But if you don’t know how to read the notes from the musical pentagram, if you don’t know musical theory, if you don’t know about piano drills, etc., you won’t be able to play it very well.

You may have the skill to swim because you were born near the ocean – and you learned to swim since you were a baby. But if you don’t know how to train in the water, if you don’t know about the different swimming styles, if you don’t know how to do laps in order to increase your strength and endurance, you won’t be able to swim very well.

Aptitude:

Aptitude is genetic.

You may practice playing piano the same amount of hours as Ludwig van Beethoven did. You may study piano theory the same amount of hours as he did.

And yes – without question, you will become a pretty good piano player – but you will never play the piano as Ludwig van Beethoven did.

You may swim and train the same amount of hours as Michael Phelps did. You may study swimming theory the same amount of hours as he did.

And yes – you will certainly become a pretty good swimmer – but you will never swim as Michael Phelps did.

FACT NUMBER FOUR:

You can learn about leadership – and yes – you may become a pretty good leader indeed.

But you will not become the next Mahatma Gandhi, or the next Nelson Mandela, or the next Jack Welch – unless of course – you have the aptitude for it.

Conclusion:

Are leaders born or made?

Both: Leaders are born – and also – leaders are made.

Feel free to re-send this "Leader Newsletter" to your colleagues.

And click here to see the entire "Leader Newsletter" Archive.

Most recent 12 "Leader Newsletter" issues:

Improve your team’s performance - faster!
Your adjectives are your worst enemy
Job Design & Intrinsic Motivation
Communication Skill You Must NOT Lead Without
Performance Management Made Sexy
Are you optimizing your development activities?
Sustainable High Performance
5 values you must NOT lead without
Are you really behaving as a manager?
Wouldn’t you like to set strategic goals consistently?
Leadership principle most managers don’t know
Are you positive you are doing the basics?