How do you “make” a leader?

I was 22 years old.

Sitting in front of a room full of military leaders at a base in Norfolk, VA. I was a management consultant at the time, doing industrial engineering and lean six sigma for Booz Allen Hamilton.

This was my first time leading a project team (or any team for that matter). I had prepared for hours, but I was still shaking. I couldn’t find my voice.

The Admiral gave me a death stare from across the table, then smirked and said, “Hey kid, does your mom know you’re here?”

The room erupted in laughter.

Mortified.

I recovered enough to keep my job, but that was it. My presentation lacked command. I stumbled my words. My team wasn’t on the same page.

Blood in the water, and the Admiral knew it.

⁂

Are leaders born or made?

I viewed myself as somewhat of a leader growing up. Mainly because I could persuade others to do stuff.

As a kid, it spanned the semi-productive: creative projects and several “businesses”. And the not so productive: convincing the neighborhood kids to break my neighbor’s window because he was a pirate 🏴‍☠️

My ability to influence landed me this role at Booz Allen at 22. But I got humble pie smashed in my face. I might have some innate leadership skills, but I sure as shit ain’t a leader yet.

This experience launched a twenty-year investigation into a question that shapes how teams rise or fall: Are leaders born or made?

The answer matters more than most think.

If leaders are born, companies are limited by the genetic lottery of their talent pool. Always searching for the charismatic leader to save the rest of the team from mediocrity.

But if leaders are made, if leadership is a craft that can be taught, practiced, and mastered, then every organization can develop extraordinary leaders at every level. They’re in the driver’s seat.

⁂

How do you “make” leaders?

Many founders arrive at Highland Academy unconvinced they’re the right leader for the job. Maybe growth stalled, the board lost confidence, their cofounder quit.

Or, in my case, an Admiral in the Navy made me piss my pants.

Whatever it is, they’ve internalized a dangerous lie: great CEOs (and leaders) are born, not made.

But this is wrong. More founders can become great CEOs than they think. That’s why I started Highland. To help them bridge the gap between early stage founder and professional CEO.

It doesn’t take long to get them confident again. They need to see that leadership is a skill anyone can develop, even as a CEO. The curriculum is built on 7 leadership skills that every CEO must work on. It’s a lifetime journey, not a two week sprint.

I penned a 2,000+ word article (free) that lays it all out for you. But here’s the quick summary:

1. Clarity of Communication: Your team must understand three things at all times: purpose, direction and progress.
2. Resourcefulness: Solve problems with whatever you have. Always proactive, never reactive.
3. Decision Making Ability: Be decisive. Forward progress is more important than perfect information.
4. Self-Awareness and Learning: Build a personal feedback loop that accelerates your development.
5. Personal Accountability: Own outcomes, good and bad. Credit to the team, responsibility stays with you.
6. Getting the Most Out of Others: Stop being the smartest person in the room and start making everyone else smarter.
7. Resilience: Get kicked in the teeth and get up anyway. Not because you’re tough, but because you’ve learned how.

⁂

So, are leaders born or made?

Leadership is a collection of skills anyone can develop if they’re willing to do the work. The question isn’t whether you were born a leader. The question is whether you’re willing to become one.

Here’s a link to the full article (free) with my full answer.

Till next time,

Never say die 🏴‍☠️

Scot

~~~

P.S. We just launched our second Highland Masterclass that anyone can purchase a la carte (for an absurdly low price)…

What a Top CEO Actually Does

I’m proud of this one. We’ve already had high-level CEOs from around the planet purchase this class. Honestly, bigger ones than I ever imagined. It just shows that we are all thirsty to learn, to develop, to improve.

Every CEO (and leader) can get something out of this Masterclass.

I hope you find it valuable!

🐐🏔️