Buổi 130: Writing Task 2 – Discussion: lãnh đạo bẩm sinh hay rèn luyện?

Whether leaders are born or made is one of the oldest questions in discussions of leadership. While some people believe that leadership depends on natural qualities, others argue that it consists of skills that anyone can learn. In my view, natural traits can give some people an early advantage, but effective leadership is, to a large extent, developed through experience and practice.

Those who see leadership as innate point to the fact that certain individuals seem to take charge naturally. Even as children, some people are more confident, more persuasive or more comfortable speaking in front of others, and they often emerge as leaders in groups without any formal training. From this perspective, training can polish these qualities, but it cannot create them in someone who lacks them.

Others, however, argue that this view confuses visibility with effectiveness. Many of the behaviours that make leaders successful – listening carefully, delegating sensibly, giving useful feedback, staying calm under pressure – are skills rather than fixed traits. Like other skills, they can be learned, practised and improved. People who become managers without any natural inclination to lead often grow into the role, particularly when they are supported by experienced mentors and given opportunities to reflect on their mistakes.

I would argue that both natural tendencies and learning play a part, but that the second matters more over time. A confident personality may help someone to be noticed and promoted, yet it does not guarantee that they will lead well. Conversely, someone who is quiet or uncertain at first can become an excellent leader by developing self-awareness and practical skills. It would therefore be a mistake for organisations to look only for people who appear to be "natural leaders".

In conclusion, while innate qualities may influence who first takes on leadership roles, the ability to lead effectively is largely something that can be learned and cultivated.

Hi Minh,

Thanks for the draft inspection report – the site photos are clear and well labelled, which will make it much easier for the client to follow.

I wonder if the summary could be cut to half a page, so the key findings appear first. It might also be worth grouping the minor issues together at the end.

One thing you'll need to correct is the inspection date on page 2, which doesn't match our records.

Could you send the revised version by Thursday? It's a strong first draft.

Thanks, Anh