The age-old debate of a “natural born leader” has been present in the leadership world for decades. It is a part of a much larger question the human race has not yet answered – the “nature vs. nurture”. This dilemma has been around in the scientific community since the mid-1800s and will likely continue well into the 21st century.

While breakthroughs in our understanding of natural-born qualities are happening, especially in the field of epigenetics, which explains the interconnectedness of human DNA with its environment, the probability is that we will not have a clear answer on what a “natural talent” is or if it even exists soon.

Scientists suggest that a complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences determines whether an individual will hold a leadership position.

Many experts do believe that a certain percentage of people possess natural leaders characteristics that could make them more likely to become leaders. While some may seem to effortlessly excel in leadership roles, my Intelligent Leadership philosophy challenges us to look deeper. Below, I will show you how effective leadership is not merely a product of born traits but is developed through a conscious and deliberate process of self-awareness and growth.

Talent requires perseverance and hard work to blossom into success. 

 

What is a natural-born leader?

Some people may find it easier to assume control and lead.

They have a “natural talent”. They hold and easily develop traits, such as confidence or humility, that define effective leaders.

It comes easily to them. Either they already possess the abilities, or they have to work on it much less than an average person to develop them.

We’ve all probably seen great leaders who possess such characteristics, and they seemed to be “born with it”. Or at least, we think they were.

How do you recognize that you are dealing with a “natural”

There may be certain natural born leader traits that could help you find out you are working with a natural leader.

But you still need to be mindful not to automatically attribute a leader’s leadership skills to superior genes or natural talents until you know the story behind their expertise.

People tend to assign certain traits to nature too quickly, while it could have taken the “made leader’ years to develop and work on their abilities. 

Let’s further explore the concept of a natural leader.

Natural born leader personality

I have compiled a list of qualities that can help leadership coaching professionals identify high-potential employees and natural leaders. While these traits may seem like they come naturally, they are more likely to contribute to the development of the inner core.

Born Leaders Lead Naturally

You don’t have to ask a natural leader to step forward and take control when the opportunity presents itself. Natural leaders like having control, and they are comfortable in leading roles.

Naturally talented leaders do not view the added responsibility of leadership as a downside. They see such downsides as reasonable costs to pay for the opportunities to effect meaningful change.

 

Leader Types Like to Plan and Execute

Effective leadership involves planning and executing strategies effectively. Those with leadership inclinations like to plan out their lives. Executing their plans, regardless of how small and insignificant they may be, gives them satisfaction.

Natural leaders draw up plans every morning about how they will go through their day. They try to execute these plans as well as possible. They like to schedule the more challenging tasks first to get them out of the way early.

Often, leadership types will analyze their performance throughout the week, identifying ways to optimize their time and resource management.

Born Leaders Understand Emotional Intelligence and Active Listening

Executive coaching professionals understand the importance of active listening. People with leadership proclivities do as well.

Listening to others is an integral part of building meaningful connections and trust. Gone are the days when leaders ruled with an iron grip, showing little curiosity about the opinions and feedback of their reports.

The intelligent leader is compassionate and empathic, demonstrating high emotional intelligence by looking to empower others and help them succeed.

Born Leaders are Open to Change and Evolution

Growth is a painful process because it involves change. Humans tend to loathe or at least fear change.

In many ways, leadership is a mission of bringing about positive change. Intelligent leaders stay focused on their goals while serving as agents of change within their organizations.

In many ways, leadership is change management. 

Business coaching teaches leaders how to embrace change while overcoming the resistance to change in their employees and managers. Learn more about executive coaching, which discusses enhancing leadership capabilities essential for organizational success.

Those with an open mindset tend to view failures as mere stepping stones to success. They learn their lessons and improve, continually evolving toward a better version of themselves.

Born Leaders Know How to Delegate

It’s easy to realize that you can’t handle every aspect of an organization’s activities as a leader. It is more difficult to successfully delegate tasks to your reports, which requires strong communication skills.

Born leaders have a sixth sense for finding expertise in others and putting it to use. Being able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of others lets leaders empower others effectively.

Those with leadership talent are not guaranteed to become successful leaders. They do, however, assume the burden and opportunity of leadership more readily and easily than others.

Does talent guarantee success?

Those with leadership talent are not guaranteed to become successful leaders. Natural leaders do, however, assume the burden and opportunity of leadership more readily and easily than others.

In my leadership coaching books and blog posts, I have stated that I believe leaders are not born. They are created through trial, effort, hard work, persistence, and inspiration.

Talented individuals still have to put in a lot of hard work. Intelligent leadership that creates lasting results and organizational transformation requires a lot of practice, effort, and action in the face of obstacles.

The role of talent in leadership

Talent requires perseverance and hard work to blossom into success.

To understand how talent factors into leadership success, we need to understand how it works.

• Talent determines what you can do or what you can do relatively well, without having to practice it as much as others.
• Your motivation sets your limits on how much you are willing to do.
• Your attitude determines how well you do what your talent allows you to do.

We want to lean in on our “talents” and the innate abilities that each of us possesses and see how far we can develop them. These are the abilities that have made us who we are today. Your strengths are your gifts. But you need to work on your gifts. You need to tend to them so that they become everything they could be.

We can also view talent as an interest you’ve decided to pursue. Regardless of how we define it, it is clear talent alone does not equal success, and that is doubly true in the context of leadership.

Being born with these characteristics means you may have some advantages. However, I believe that over 95% of leaders have become great leaders through dedication, hard work, and a commitment to improvement.

There may be a 5% chance that it comes naturally.

Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone to develop qualities of a great leader is not easy for most of us, but it may come more easily to some. To a “talent”. A “born leader”.

Even natural leaders have to do a lot of inner work to become great leaders.

 

Leadership skills and traits of a natural leader

Success comes from building your leadership skills.

Even natural leaders have to do a lot of inner work to become great leaders. Our inner core, which is a combination of self-concept, character, and values, guides how we think, feel, and make decisions. These decisions produce action (or inaction) that drives results.

In this way, we see how important it is for leaders to get to know themselves better to become great. We can’t ignore the fact that emotional intelligence plays a significant role in developing a good leader with the necessary leadership traits that create the desired effects.

An effective leader needs to leverage the gifts they were blessed with and address the gaps in their expertise every day.

A natural leader hones his abilities. His commitment to growth and excellence is undeniable. His confidence and maturity bring out the best in the employees, teams, and organization.

This is what makes the outside observers believe he has natural leadership abilities to motivate people and produce results!

It is not just nature.

Most leadership qualities are the result of talent (born leader) only to a certain degree.

These may include traits such as:

• Communication skills,
• Confidence,
• Vulnerability,
• Compassion,
• Instinctive ability,
• Hard work,
• Critical thinking

Final Thoughts

Some people seem like they were born to lead. But the idea of “leaders born” is only part of the story. While a few may enter corporate life with a head start, true leadership success comes from developing your leadership capabilities over time.

Your leadership style isn’t something you’re stuck with—it evolves. And that evolution happens through experience, self-reflection, and mastering the key skills that drive real influence.

Whether leadership comes naturally to you or not, the path to becoming an exceptional leader is the same—it requires commitment, growth, and a deep investment in your inner and outer core.

Schedule your free discovery session today and begin the journey toward becoming a confident, capable leader who inspires others and drives lasting success with Intelligent Leadership Executive Coaching.

 

FAQ: Natural Born Leaders

What is a natural-born leader?
A natural-born leader is someone who instinctively steps up, shows confidence, and inspires others. Their leadership traits often appear early, though they still require development.

Are some people born to be leaders?
Yes, some individuals show early leadership tendencies. However, most leadership success comes from learning, growth, and refining skills over time.

What are natural leader qualities?
Natural leaders are confident, empathetic, decisive, and great communicators. They often display emotional intelligence and a strong sense of responsibility.

Can leadership be taught or is it innate?
Leadership can be taught. Even if someone has innate qualities, true leadership develops through experience, feedback, and intentional growth.

What is the personality of a born leader?
Born leaders tend to be confident, intuitive, and action-oriented. They enjoy taking on responsibility and often thrive in challenging or high-pressure situations.

Are leaders born or made?
Most leaders are made, not born. While some traits may come naturally, leadership capabilities are largely built through mindset, experience, and training.

What makes someone a natural leader?
Natural leaders have strong instincts, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire others. They lead with confidence and adapt easily to change.

What is natural leadership?
Natural leadership refers to influence that feels effortless. These leaders earn trust quickly and instinctively step in to guide others without being asked.

How do you spot a natural leader?
They take initiative, communicate well, and stay calm under pressure. Others tend to follow them naturally, even without a formal title.

Do natural leadership traits guarantee success?
No, traits alone aren’t enough. Success requires self-awareness, discipline, and continuous improvement, even for those with natural leadership ability.

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