INFORMED VIEWPOINT ARTICLE
Leadership development:
teaching versus learning
Robert J. Allio
Allio Associates LLC, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this article is to elucidate the limitations of contemporary approaches to
developing leaders and to present alternative approaches.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a review and critique of the assumptions on
which current leadership programs are based.
Findings – Most leadership training initiatives fail to produce leaders. Typical programs teach
leadership theory, concepts, and principles; they promote leadership literacy but not leadership
competence. Paradoxically, however, while leadership cannot be taught, leadership can be learned.
Men and women become leaders by practice, by performing deliberate acts of leadership. The primary
role of a good leader (one who is competent and ethical) is to establish and reinforce values and
purpose, develop vision and strategy, build community, and initiate appropriate organizational
change. This behavior requires character, creativity, and compassion, core traits that cannot be
acquired cognitively.
Practical implications – For those charged with the responsibility of developing leaders, the three
necessary steps are to select the right candidates, create learning challenges, and provide mentoring.
Those who seek to develop effective leadership training programs must first establish a metric for
assessing leadership effectiveness. They must then design experiments that can establish a causal or
statistically significant relationship between training initiatives and leadership competency. Evidence
suggests that the most effective leadership programs will focus on building self-knowledge and skills
in rhetoric and critical thinking.
Originality/value – This paper challenges the utility of most leadership training. Leadership cannot
be taught, although potential leaders can be educated.
Keywords Leadership, Training management, Leadership development
Paper type Viewpoint
INFORMED VIEWPOINT ARTICLELeadership development:teaching versus learningRobert J. AllioAllio Associates LLC, Providence, Rhode Island, USAAbstractPurpose – The purpose of this article is to elucidate the limitations of contemporary approaches todeveloping leaders and to present alternative approaches.Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a review and critique of the assumptions onwhich current leadership programs are based.Findings – Most leadership training initiatives fail to produce leaders. Typical programs teachleadership theory, concepts, and principles; they promote leadership literacy but not leadershipcompetence. Paradoxically, however, while leadership cannot be taught, leadership can be learned.Men and women become leaders by practice, by performing deliberate acts of leadership. The primaryrole of a good leader (one who is competent and ethical) is to establish and reinforce values andpurpose, develop vision and strategy, build community, and initiate appropriate organizationalchange. This behavior requires character, creativity, and compassion, core traits that cannot beacquired cognitively.Practical implications – For those charged with the responsibility of developing leaders, the threenecessary steps are to select the right candidates, create learning challenges, and provide mentoring.Those who seek to develop effective leadership training programs must first establish a metric forassessing leadership effectiveness. They must then design experiments that can establish a causal orstatistically significant relationship between training initiatives and leadership competency. Evidencesuggests that the most effective leadership programs will focus on building self-knowledge and skillsin rhetoric and critical thinking.Originality/value – This paper challenges the utility of most leadership training. Leadership cannotbe taught, although potential leaders can be educated.Keywords Leadership, Training management, Leadership developmentPaper type Viewpoint
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