Learning options will indeed mushroom for business students and leaders, but it will take prudence and shrewdness to find and utilize the best option.
Warren BennisRead
The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Leaders are not born with innate qualities; they are developed through experience and learning.
Warren Bennis challenges the common belief that leadership is an inherent trait determined by genetics. Instead, he emphasizes that leadership abilities can be cultivated through effort, experience, and intentional development, rejecting the notion that only certain individuals have the qualities necessary to lead effectively.
Themes
LeadershipDevelopmentCharismaMythExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a team-building workshop, this quote can be used to motivate attendees to develop their leadership skills.
More from Warren Bennis
All quotes →Specialized management courses are useful but should come well after the complexity of management and business are understood.
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You need people who can walk their companies into the future rather than back them into the future.
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Leaders should always expect the very best of those around them. They know that people can change and grow.
Warren BennisRead
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