Essay 110 – Some people believe that good leaders are born

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 110

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that the good leaders are born, whereas others hold the opinion that the leadership qualities could be obtained during the life. Who represents the good leader qualities indeed?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Model Answer:

History presents us with great leaders whose visionary and leadership qualities have shaped the world. Many opine that some people are born with certain traits and characteristics to lead. Yet others subscribe to the view that leadership is a learnable quality. However, I firmly believe that born leaders are true masters and they manifest superior leadership qualities.

It is somewhat true that some individuals can become leaders through the process of learning, training and observation. Leadership is a set of skills that can be acquired by proper training, effort and practice over time. A good leader seeks out every opportunity that will help him/her learn new competencies. A ground-breaking study that was done on the genetic influences on leadership at Oxford University revealed that 70 per cent leadership skills can actually be attained through training, practice and experience during the course of life.

Having said that, leaders are born with certain innate dispositions, which are advantageous for them to develop this quality better than others, and there are certain natural characteristics that predispose individuals to become a leader. In fact, learning a skill is radically different from being gifted and mastering it thoroughly over the course of time. The way born musical prodigies and athletes show more promises than their average counterparts, born leaders take timely initiatives more often. Thus, an individual with inborn traits will shine naturally to lead, whereas others would be like fish out of water struggling to reach the same position. Born leaders display exceptional leadership qualities because charisma, integrity, influence and the ability to encourage people cannot be taught as soft competencies can be explained but not inculcated. Actually, leadership is an art, not science. It is a set of inborn characteristics, perfected and refined over time with training, education and experience.

To conclude, although some skills related to leadership are likely to be taught, great leaders excel naturally in leading their followers.