Can Good Leadership Be Learned?

By Brenda Christie

I had a conversation with a friend today, who recounted a story about a former manager he had.  At the end of the story, he commented that this manager was a good manager and leader.  While the story made me think just the opposite, it got me to wondering whether "leadership" is subjective.  

Before going further I should point out that there is a distinction between a Manager and a Leader.  A manager manages projects, tasks, things.  This is quite different from someone who operates on a much higher level -- a leader.

My idea of a Good Leader, is someone who inspires you to want to rise to the occasion for a positive outcome. It is a special person who believes in you, but is also candid with you on things you need to improve in order to grow.

A Good Leader is constantly evolving so as to have new horizons and dimensions into which to lead the team, and in doing so, bypasses the jealously so frequently seen today towards team members.

A Good Leader has conviction; after all, how can you convince someone of something if you don't believe in it yourself?  That's actually not an absolute.  After all, there is always Sales.  But then again, there are bad sales people.  I've met both good and bad sales people, and as I invested the time to learn to be a good sales person, know the difference.

Which begs the question, "Can Good Leadership be Learned?"  I think the answer to this question could be "Maybe."  

What do you think?  Is there such a thing as a turnaround leader.  Before answering, review the criteria:

• inspires
• is not afraid to be candid
• has conviction
• is genuinely interested in team members
• doesn't rest on his/her laurels, but evolves  
• is accountable

Now, tell us what you think.  Can Good Leadership Be Learned?  Is good leadership even relevant today?  Or is it an anachronism - a throw back to the past?