Nature or nurture is one of life’s great questions.

Is there an inherent disposition in individuals to think and behave the way they do?


Or is behaviour influenced/learned?

My view? Well, I think the jury’s still out. What I will say, as far as leadership is concerned, is that there are some qualities that make being a leader ‘easier‘. I mentioned one of these—a thick skin—in an earlier blog.

Sensitive personalities can make great leaders, but can also find the criticism that inevitably comes with the job, from inside and outside their company, at best a burden and at worse a source of depression.

And as well as a thick skin? An ability to listen and take other opinions on board, but also to be autocratic when necessary, helps but does not sit easily with some personality types. A willingness to trust desired outcomes to others is also a useful trait (those who cannot loosen the control reins risk crash and burn) provided people understand the parameters and report back.

And leaders who recognise that you cannot run with the hare as well as the hounds (ie: want to be everyone’s friend) will benefit from distinct demarcation lines.

So, from this you’ll imagine that my ideal leader is insensitive, autocratic, delegating, stand-offish and unfriendly.

Not at all.

But I’ve known good and capable individuals falter at the leadership hurdle because of the dissonance between their personality and the demands of the job.

Tags: being a leader burden capable individuals crash demarcation lines depression dissonance great leaders hounds hurdle nature or nurture parameters personalities personality types reins thick skin willingness