We have all heard the expression of praise that a person “is a born leader.” Despite the admiration captured in these words, they imply that excellent leadership is innate only to a few, and that the rest of us not born with such talents must accept, with grace, a second-class standard.
Throughout my career as a practicing physician (SBK), I have observed various styles of compelling leadership. Those with whom I work teach me, model for me, the complex array of what it means to be a fine leader. I respect and value what I have witnessed. I try to assimilate their admirable qualities, combine their best attributes, and then apply them to my own skills and personality. And I have come to see that great leaders are not born. They model and learn and grow…..more