Vince was Right
Leaders aren’t born. They’re made.
Coach Vince Lombardi recognized the trend in high-achievers. That they worked hard, were committed, had vision and led by example. He said it best:
“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”
But here’s the question: what happens when someone embraces the common belief that leaders are “born”instead?
This way of thinking falsely believes that:
- Leadership is now a mystical “gift” that only charismatic personality types possess
- Therefore people won’t grow to become a more effective leader…they become stuck in a “fixed” mindset
- Companies won’t invest in developing leaders because they don’t believe in it. Instead, they only focus on hiring practices to bolster leadership bench strength. But that becomes just an excuse.
But, if leaders ARE made, then leadership can be learned.
People will grow beyond their own perceived limitations.
Teams grow their own leaders. Turnover lowers. The best and brightest rise from within. And stay.
And someone chooses to become more. Because they can.
Chad Pfeifer 