When someone is deemed “gifted”, it's accompanied by the assumption that they were born with that talent or skill. Under this preconceived notion, some people are more adept at a trade than others because they were fortunate enough to be intrinsically talented at what they do. However, this idea diminishes the effort that individuals often put into becoming more skilled at a particular thing. The ability to hone a skill is obviously easier for some than others, and leadership is no exception. However, the willingness to improve and build on past knowledge is what makes or breaks a leader.
Being good at something takes time, and that goes for everything. I’m an artist, and it’s hard to remember a time when I wasn’t drawing. My parents and loved ones would always say that I was born an artist, that it's a craft my hands were always meant to perform. But that’s just not true. I was just born with a passion, one that can develop at any point in someone’s life. It just so happened that I discovered my love for art at a young age.
It takes a certain level of grit and dedication to understand leadership competencies and to apply them to real-life scenarios. In my case, I tend to take initiative only when no one else is willing to take the lead. Although my capabilities aren’t necessarily inadequate when it comes to organizing group work or collaborating with members of an RSO, I’m not instinctively inclined to assume the role of leader and take on that responsibility. On the other hand, some people might have a big personality, one that commands attention, admiration, and respect.
Depending on your upbringing, values, and personal beliefs, your leadership skills can appear innate. A “natural” inclination towards leadership develops over the course of your life, but it stems from a genuine desire to learn. Ultimately, it's up to you to try to understand and improve yourself.
