Can everyone be a leader?

I’ve read quite a few books on leadership and despite what some of the “gurus” may say, I have concluded that not everyone is wired to lead. Can everyone be a leader? Yes, they can lead because the role falls on them; but whether they will be effective or not is a different question.

Take the typical scenario — Your no. 1 in an organisation leaves and so it seems natural that the no. 2 will slot into that role? What about if the no. 2 was cut out to lead, but will fail in an organisation like yours? Also, must every follower end up as a leader?

My takeaway is that not everyone can be an MD/CEO. I dare say that not everyone will be a visionary. Finding “your why” doesn’t always mean that you will be the greatest person in your field of endeavour. Why fail at trying to be an entrepreneur or leader when it is not in your DNA to operate in that capacity?

Do not let anyone fool you into thinking you must run an organisation or scheme your way to the top in order to be a “success”. History is replete with folks that have tried operating out of their realm and failed woefully.

You can however be part of a vision and function effectively to the best of your abilities. If you work in an organisation, can you focus on being the most effective worker there? Even if you think your organisation doesn’t recognise merit, you would have improved yourself (and your attitude) and be an amazing asset to an employer that spots great talent.

As you grow and develop, seek to understand who you truly are and run with it. Happy new month!