Lead the Human Capital
Today the way we consider human psychology and mental development is heavily influenced by the genetic sciences. But we now understand the importance of inherited characteristics. Yet we are still unable to decide whether an individual’s personality and development, especially leaders, are more influenced by genetic factors (nature) or by the environment (nurture).
Research, relating to identical twins, has highlighted how significant inherited characteristics can be for an individual’s life. But whether these characteristics are able to develop within the personality of an individual surely depends on whether the circumstances allow such a development. It seems that the experiences we have in life are so unpredictable and so powerful, that they can boost or over-ride other influences, and there seems to be plenty of research findings to confirm this.
Furthermore, despite popular myth, leaders are not born, but they learn how to lead. Our actions and behaviours matter more than we realize. People who act as leaders understand that everything they do and do not do - is significant. The first job of those who act as leaders - whatever their title - is to convince others of the significance of their actions.
Managing people in order to ensure that they do what they’re supposed to do is a necessary activity. Taking time to lead them to new levels of success is a significant accomplishment. Accomplishment begins with a simple commitment each day to improve the lives of those you interact with. The most effective way for those who act as leaders is to realize that a better question to ask oneself is “How can I best contribute?”.
When we have unique skills and passions, we can have an even great impact if we look at the ways we can contribute that will do the best. By placing capabilities and competencies in a knowledge management framework, leaders are able to delve into their creation and development through human capital development. Human capital development activities comprising training, education, and development, fall under the broad rubric of knowledge management and are an aspect of the socialization process that creates an environment conducive to knowledge creation, adaptation and dissemination. Nowadays, many literatures reissue learning organisation to achieve competitive advantages. Those empirically tested model linking human capital development activities and measures of firm performance was developed through the creation and enhancement of capabilities and competencies.
In conclusion, both nature and nurture have powerful effects in developing human capital. The way these factors interact requires the support and cooperation of a leader and others. To harness the power of others, we have to persuade them to follow our lead. To get others to follow us requires character, competence, and networking.
Tags: capabilities and competencies, human capital development, knowledge management, learning organisation, managing people
May 10th, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I believe leaders are born and made. It seems like there’s only one thing that a person needs to actually be born with in order to be a leader later in life. That’s intelligence. A leader needs to be smart enough.Their blessings: high energy, exceptional intelligence, extreme persistence, self confidence and a yearning to influence others.Most psychologists believe that leadership qualities are innate or genetic and thus impossible to learn. Yet, in fact leadership skills can be developed and mastered. Effective leaders aren’t necessarily the smartest people in the room or the company or even on the team. But they have to be smart enough to do the job they’re assigned.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Thanks for your comments on the blog, Prof.
I agree with your summation that the leaders are born and made. I believe if we look around, we can find role models as you suggested that leaders should have intelligence, emotional quotient and also should have powerful effects in developing human capital. Thanks for the sharing – Ratih.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Good leaders are MADE not BORN. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience (Jago, 1982).
To inspire your subordinate into higher levels of teamwork, there are certain things you must be, know, and, do. These do not come naturally, but are acquired through continual work and study. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their leadership skills; they are NOT resting on their laurels.
http://metrotvnews.com/blog/risma
http://rhapsodykehidupan.blogspot.com
http://rheesma.blogspot.com
September 15th, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Good Risma.
September 27th, 2010 at 11:25 PM
I agree with Professor’s statement. yet, we need to add one special thing which is ‘Kharisma’ of a leader. Someone who has more ‘kharisma’ usually has potential to be a leader. And for Mr. Risma, You are right about a leadership competency is able to b learnt but it is only a capability of to be Manager/commander. but I think It’s not effective be a real Leader. because I belive that A leader is born and made…
Mr. ratih thank for your usefull share’s topic.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:48 AM
I think people could born with leader skills but it’s not because of this skills they will become leader. It’s like a horse race. If the best horse always win it will be very easy to bet on the winner, but in reality even if you know which horse is the best in statistics, a lot of other factors like the jokey, the weather, the health of the horse,… influence the result.
It’s the same with people. It’s not because you born with leader skills you will become a leader. Many factors like your experience, your environment, your education,… will influence your life and what you will become. In my mind the natural skills are just a “bonus” but are really less important than the skills you will built by yourself.