You will often see leadership lumped in with soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. But is that all it is? Or is leadership something more complex—something that blends interpersonal abilities with decision-making, vision, and the capacity to drive change? To answer this, let’s unpack what makes leadership unique and explore whether it can truly be taught.
What makes leadership a unique skill set
Is leadership a soft skill? Even though it is often presented as such, leadership isn’t a single ability—it’s a combination of traits, behaviours, and decision-making capabilities. While many of these overlap with soft skills, leadership stands out because it involves responsibility for outcomes that affect others, not only the ones being lead, but also everyone dependent of the team’s outcomes. A leader cannot be just anyone who knows how to communicate well; they need to be able to influence others, guide them, and often carry the weight of critical decisions.
Leaders need to inspire trust, manage conflict, and create direction in uncertainty. That takes more than charm or kindness—it demands strategic thinking, resilience, and the ability to adapt. This blend of cognitive and emotional skills is what makes leadership a category of its own, and a complex one at that.
The “soft” qualities that define great leaders
That said, many of the qualities that define great leadership are traditionally “soft,” like active listening, empathy, humility, and the ability to motivate. Without them, it’s hard to build trust or retain talented teams. Great leaders are also strong communicators. They’re skilled at giving feedback without demotivating people, resolving tension, and making people feel heard. These traits aren’t flashy, but they’re powerful. They create an environment where people want to contribute—and that’s at the heart of effective leadership.
How does emotional intelligence play a role in a leadership?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the engine behind all those soft qualities. A leader with high EQ can manage their own emotions and respond well to others. The know how to stay calm under pressure, can read the room and make thoughtful decisions in stressful situations. EQ also enables leaders to navigate conflict, deal with failure, and coach people in a way that builds confidence. Leaders with strong EQs tend to create healthier cultures and outperform those who lead through fear or ego.
Can leadership be taught, or is it innate?
This question has been debated for decades. Are leaders born, or can anyone learn to lead? All in all, it’s both. Some people have natural tendencies—confidence, charisma, decisiveness—that make leadership easier. But these traits alone don’t make a good leader. You need a set of skills, and those can be taught, refined, and developed over time.
Nature vs nurture in leadership development
The nature side of leadership includes traits like risk tolerance, extroversion, or a natural drive to take charge. Some people show these early. If you already have these traits, your path to leadership will be easier. But, as said previously, this alone will not make you a successful leader. The nurture part, coaching, mentoring, and experience, play huge roles in shaping leaders. Over time, people can learn how to inspire teams, communicate vision, and make better decisions. Confidence, too, can be built through practice and feedback—not just inherited.
Real-world examples of learned leadership
Consider Ursula Burns, the former CEO of Xerox. She started as an intern and climbed the ranks through mentorship and grit. Her leadership wasn’t inherited—it was built. Another good example is Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. He wasn’t the loudest or flashiest executive, but he transformed Microsoft’s culture with empathy and a focus on learning. His leadership style evolved over years, shaped by feedback and conscious effort. These stories show that leadership isn’t reserved for the naturally bold or commanding. With the right environment and effort, it’s a skill that can be learned and improved.
