It Doesn’t Really Matter

Jeffrey T. De Leon

It has been a long discussion whether a leader is born or made. Some said that is born for there are accounts in history about political dynasty while some say that it is made because it is something that can be learned.

No matter what the truth about the two, it is safe to say that a leader is someone who have a head, a heart, and a hand.

Born or made, a leader must have a head. A head that have the knowledge about leadership. He/she must know what he/she is ought to do as a leader. Knows what to say, where to make an action, and when to give help to organization. Someone who makes a difference by setting and leading as an example through doing what he/she preaches. He/she must have the vision to achieve his/her long term goal. His/her goal is to make his/her organization peek its success. But success is meaningless without collaboration with his/her people. There goes a saying that two heads are better than one. It means that brilliant ideas come from collaboration and different viewpoints of many excellent people within the organization.

A leader must also have a heart. While intellect is an important trait of a leader, compassion must never leave behind. A heart that feels, a heart that knows, and a heart that listens. A good leader feels when to motivate and encourage his/her people when he/she feels like they are not in good shape. A leader knows when to help his/her people and when to keep silent and listens to them. Having a heart means knowing the members deeply without invading their privacy. It is putting one’s shoe to the other in order to understand where one’s behavior is coming from. Inspiring leader begets loyal followers. Therefore, it may result to harmonious workforce.

Lastly, a leader has a hand. A hand that willing to extend in times of need and difficulty. It is working together in creating conducive environment that will lead to the path both parties want to achieve. It is leading the people while guiding, teaching, and helping them grow slowly but fruitfully.

Robin Sharma, a writer, once said, “Leadership is not a title. It is a behavior. Live it.” So it doesn’t matter if a leader is born or made. It doesn’t matter where a leader came from. What only matter is where he/she is leading on the journey.

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The author is Head Teacher III at Paralayunan Elementary School