Many authors have defined leadership in various ways. But this article focuses on the ways and means by which any layman can inculcate and cultivate this much-sought-after trait. It clearly differentiates between talent and skill, and concludes that leadership is a skill that can be cultivated by a common man.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. "Research on leadership indicates that 50-75% of organizations are currently managed by people sorely lacking in leadership competence. They are hired or promoted based on technical competence, business knowledge and politics not on leadership skill". "Research on leadership indicates that 50-75% of organizations are currently managed by people sorely lacking in leadership competence. They are hired or promoted based on technical competence, business knowledge and politics not on leadership skill".

Before explaining in detail about leadership, it is worthwhile to know whether it is a skill or a talent. If it is a talent, then leadership is an inborn quality as talents are innate. If it is a skill, then it can be acquired by voracious reading, learning, continuous practice, training and experience. If it is a talent, then the leaders are born and if it is a skill, then the leaders are made.

Leadership is more of an action rather than preaching. It is the ability to lead from the front with a passion and with a conviction of a great vision, despite many successive setbacks. It is also taking a sense of responsibility, setting as a role model with qualities like courage, commitment and conviction. Leadership is also a way of calling `we' not `I' because no leader is successful as an individual. Whenever there is a success story, the leader ascribes it to his team and in case of a failure, he owns the sole responsibility. There are many dimensions and definitions to the concept of leadership. In this context, it is pertinent and relevant to classify the types of leadership.

HRM Review Magazine, Leaders Born or Made, Leadership, Robert Francis, Leadership styles, Emotional Intelligence, Management Organisation Theory, Leadership Qualities, Mahatma Gandhi, Technical competence, Business knowledge, Zig Zigler Zig, Repercussions, Organisational Cultures.