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Leadership is not something that people are born with but something that is developed as you grow and learn from all the influences in your life. It is for that reason that some people are called natural leaders, but you can still learn to be a leader.

Personality is important, naturally. But there is far more to being a leader, an effective leader.

In terms of learning there are, of course, many web sites to look up on the internet. There are great books to buy. There are fabulous magazines like BOSS. And there are courses that you can do.

But I sincerely believe that the only courses that are effective are those under a practising "life coach" and by that I mean what you learn under a brilliant sports coach like Kevin Sheedy or as a member of the Australian Defence Forces, say the fantastic NAVY

Indeed, in the Navy you will be given many chances to lead and coached along the way. You will be told your faults and guided to lead whether it is in outdoor type activities in in the office life that also exists in our defence forces.

In a similar way, scouting is an awesome way to develop leadership skills and a parent keen on strengthening the character of their children should give real thought to scouts/ guides.

But for most people the defence force and scouts are not for them, so what else and where else?

Well there are professional bodies too like the Australian Institute of Management but do they actually teach you leadership?

At a personal level I went back to the research - the internet, books and magazines and while it took some effort what I found was fabulous and oh so relevant.

The fact that a person is appointed to a leadership role does not make them a leader. Certainly there are school principals who were brilliant teachers but awful as principals. It is just not for anyone.

Similarly, managers are not always good leaders so do not think that the position imbues you with the skills that you need.

I will always argue that you need practical experience. Watch a good an effective leader in action and take "notes". How do they speak with others? What do they do personally? Do they lead by example or just talk? Do they respect their team or consider them as fodder? And so on

Then seek out a leadership role, either in a sporting club or with a community association. Through these areas you can practice, make mistakes and learn, and you WILL learn.

Indeed, many a volunteer has learned so many key leadership skills that they have then become successful leaders in other aspects of their lives. Think about it. You learn how to speak with people and how to listen. You learn how to inspire the volunteers to give more of their time and how to grow your numbers.

The better that your volunteer group works the more leadership skills you have developed and the more effective you clearly are compared to when you began.

WOW! You are now truly on your way. But never be afraid to ask. Never be worried about asking for advice from a confidant. So what's holding you back?

Learn more about this author, Ange Kenos.
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