Leaders Are Born To Be Made | Bryan Deptula | TEDxNSU

Summary

In this inspiring narrative, the speaker reflects on the leadership challenges faced during the 2008 Great Recession, emphasizing the importance of developing leadership skills at all stages of life. After the failure to meet corporate goals, the speaker committed to transforming himself into a better leader by dedicating his life to teaching leadership principles. He shares personal anecdotes about raising his children with a focus on leadership development, highlighting the universal need for mentorship, opportunities to practice leadership, and fostering a belief in one’s own leadership potential. Ultimately, leadership is portrayed as an evolving identity, nurtured by intentional growth and the ability to inspire others.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leaders are made, not born—leadership is a skill that can be developed through time, effort, and dedication.
• 😀 Leadership identity is critical—how we see ourselves as leaders influences our behavior and ability to lead.
• 😀 Intellectual knowledge and the ability to think critically about leadership are essential components of leadership development.
• 😀 Practice is key—leadership requires action, and real-world experience is necessary to hone leadership skills.
• 😀 Leadership development is a gradual process that starts from childhood and continues throughout life.
• 😀 Effective leaders must be able to inspire others and create a vision, but they also need to know how to lead themselves.
• 😀 Failure is part of the leadership journey—allowing individuals to fail and learn from their mistakes is essential for growth.
• 😀 Everyone has the potential to be a leader, regardless of traits like extraversion or other personality characteristics.
• 😀 It’s important to recognize and nurture leadership in others, especially by helping them see their own potential.
• 😀 The greatest gift you can give someone is to see the leader in them that they may not yet recognize in themselves.
• 😀 Leadership development is not only for the workplace—it is crucial in education, family, and community contexts as well.

Q & A

What was the speaker's role during the 2008 financial crisis?

The speaker was a National Sales Director and corporate trainer at a leisure tourism company during the 2008 Great Recession.

Why did the speaker fail to motivate their team during the recession?

Despite offering bonuses, training, and motivation techniques, the speaker’s efforts failed because the team lacked the leader identity and vision to make a meaningful impact. They were not prepared to lead or to see themselves as leaders.

What realization did the speaker come to after missing their financial goals?

The speaker realized that, although the team was trained to sell, they lacked the leadership qualities needed to truly inspire and make a difference. The failure was an identity shock, leading to a shift in how the speaker viewed their role as a leader.

What does 'identity shock' refer to in the speaker's context?

Identity shock refers to a profound realization or transition in self-awareness, where the speaker reevaluated their leadership identity and the impact they could have on others as a leader.

How did the speaker address their failure and move forward?

The speaker dedicated themselves to studying leadership, sacrificing their career, salary, and corner office to pursue an MBA and PhD in leadership, with the goal of transforming others into leaders.

What are the three pillars of leader development mentioned by the speaker?

The three pillars of leader development are: Being (leader identity), Knowing (intellect and leadership knowledge), and Doing (practical experience and action).

What does the speaker mean by 'leaders are born to be made'?

The speaker believes that while certain traits may predispose people to leadership (like extraversion and proactivity), leadership is ultimately developed through time, effort, and dedication. It's a process of transformation.

How did the speaker demonstrate leader development with their child?

The speaker applied leader development principles by guiding their child through a small leadership opportunity—helping a friend find a pumpkin. This moment encouraged the child to see themselves as a leader, marking an early moment of leader identity formation.

What important lesson about leadership did the speaker learn from foraging with their child?

The speaker learned that leadership isn't always about directing others; sometimes, those being led can offer valuable perspectives and insights, as demonstrated when the child spotted berries that the speaker had missed.

How does the speaker propose organizations should nurture young leaders?

The speaker suggests that organizations should honor the motivation of young leaders, not suppress it. They should create opportunities for these emerging leaders to practice leadership, allowing them to make mistakes and learn without the fear of failure.

What is the significance of the phrase 'a rising tide lifts all ships' in the context of leadership?

This phrase underscores the idea that when people learn to lead, the benefits extend beyond just the individual. It improves the performance and success of the entire group or organization, creating a positive ripple effect.

How does the speaker encourage others to develop their leadership?

The speaker encourages others to start by developing their own leadership, and then bringing others along on their leadership journey. The goal is to recognize that everyone has the potential to lead, and to invest in helping others realize this potential.