by Paul Lines

Created on: July 15, 2008   Last Updated: December 02, 2010

There has long been a debate about whether leaders are born or created through learning. In truth, there is an element of validity in both arguments. Nevertheless, irrespective of which school is followed, there is no doubt that to be a successful leader means that the person in question has to possess or learn certain key skills.  Identifying the unique leadership skills that are needed to ensure a business will achieve its aims and objectives is more complex than most people believe. The reason for this rests upon the fact that there is both a psychological as well as practical aspect to leadership skills.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS

The very concept of the term leadership indicates that there are those who need to be led, namely the followers. This suggests there is an element of truth in the term "leaders are born not made" and that not all of us can be leaders. Nevertheless, such a statement does not preclude anyone from owning a business. It is simply a question of identifying the business leader and what attributes they require. Within this section, it is intended to concentrate upon these psychological issues.

Self-assessment

In the view of the author, the most important skill relating to leadership is the ability to be able to assess with honestly ones own capabilities and limitations. You need to ask yourself whether you have the abilities and skills to be a leader. There are countless instances where business innovators and its main drivers have recognised that, although they possess the skills to create a unique product or service, their ability to lead and manage the business is lacking. In such cases, although they have maintained ultimate control over the business direction, these people have understood the need to employ leaders who can deliver the skill qualities needed to make the business successful.

Leadership style

The second psychological skill is apparent in understanding the style of leader you are. Leadership style has a significant influence upon the organisational cultures and sub-cultures that develops within a business.

Although every individual is unique and a number of different leadership styles have been identified by various academics over the years, the most commonly recognised styles within a business environment can be deemed the authoritarian, innovative and team leadership styles. Part of the process of assessing whether your leadership style is appropriate for the achievement of business success is to assess which of these

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