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« Marc Benioff: How We Went From Idea to Billion Dollar Company | Leading Blog Main Page | The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership » 11.11.09
Eisenhower: No Born LeadersThe one quality that can be developed by studious reflection and practice is leadership.In contrast to George S. Patton Jr., who felt himself born to lead men into desperate battle and who believed that all great leaders are leaders by virtue of their destiny, Dwight Eisenhower thought that leadership could be acquired, learned through “studious reflection and practice.” When his son, a West Point Cadet, expressed disappointment at having been promoted to ordinary cadet sergeant rather than given the distinction of promotion to color sergeant, Ike replied that it did “not indicate that you are lacking in the qualities of leadership” and explained that these qualities could be acquired.  Adapted from Eisenhower on Leadership by Alan Axelrod. Of Related Interest:  Looking For Leaders
Dwight D. Eisenhower Wallpaper: "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."
Posted by Michael McKinney at 07:52 AM
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Comments
Great stuff. I remember my own disappointment at never advancing beyond the rank of "Cadet Sergeant" at West Point. Fortunately, I committed myself to acquiring those leadership qualities that have now served me for 24 years in the Army! Not a born leader but a grown leader, a work still in progress!
The military's commitment to invest in every service member and develop their leadership qualitites reflects the belief that most everyone has the potential to lead. It's up to us to fulfill this potential! Hooah!
Posted by: Tom Magness | November 11, 2009 09:21 AM
Tom it's great to hear from you again. You certainly have the right emphasis and it's reflected in your blog as well. Thanks!
Posted by: Michael McKinney | November 11, 2009 10:19 AM
The title of leader seems so daunting to many people, including myself. Thanks for this post- as someone working on developing the skills Eisenhower stated it is great to know that men such as he believed that leadership skills could be learned and honed for advancement. This gives me hope.
Posted by: Alicia-Ann Caesar | November 11, 2009 10:13 PM
Good reminder and encouragement for leaders who aren't born that way! People can definitely learn some leadership skills, habits and behaviors. Coaches are a great way to do that; so is having a mentor. Thanks again for the reminder.
Posted by: Bill Bliss | November 12, 2009 03:55 AM
Hmmm, good comparison. I actually believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle of these arguments. As someone who is drawn to the study of leadership, I see some qualities in myself that are inate such as patience, encouragement, problem solving, and then others which I have developed over time through experience such as communication, risks taking, vision casting. I think every person has some level of leadership or influence as it starts at home with the family pecking order.
Posted by: Daniel | November 12, 2009 06:30 AM
I believe Eisenhower is saying less about the opportunity to "develop" leaders and more about the idea that it's just not that difficult. We make leadership harder than it is. It's really about being yourself and being comfortable with yourself. Then you pursue what you are passionate about (see Jim Collins's three circles in Good to Great) and you will almost be a leader by default.
I've been teaching leadership for seven years now (five at West Point in the department that Eisenhower established), and I've come to realize I don't really "teach" anything. I just help people discover themselves and be more comfortable with their own abilities, emotions, and interactions. In the end, it's all about reflection and self-directed learning.
Posted by: Doug Crandall | November 21, 2009 01:39 PM