How to Become a “Self-Made” Leader

Abstract

In academic and professional settings, discussions about leadership development often entertain the question: Are leaders born or made? While these discussions are fruitful in advancing our understanding of external leadership behaviors, they can distract from the concept of a more impactful interrogation of the internal processes and forces at play. These processes are far more potent in helping to identify, challenge, and ultimately shape an individual's development. This chapter attempts to make the case that leaders are made, not born, and that the individual has many tools available to aid in their development, including coaching: coaching provided by external professionals and coaching as an exercise of deep self-reflection and transformational growth. Building upon the thought leadership of several prominent leadership scholars (Goleman, Blanchard, Greenleaf, Chaleff), the author provides concrete steps to facilitate this development process from the inside out.