More than 60% of regional business executives say leaders are made not born

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According to the survey conducted by Leaders Presents, the organizer of Leaders in Dubai Business Forum, only 36% of the regional executives believe that leaders are born.

The survey, which reflects the opinions of nearly 300 regional business leaders and key decision makers from across the region, revealed that regional executives think that people are not born leaders or managers, but they can develop good leadership through an ever-constant process of self-study, education, training and experience.

'When one says that 'Leaders are Born,' he denotes the belief that leadership is an inherent quality rather than a characteristic to be achieved over time,'

said David Ulrich, the World's no. 1 management educator and guru.

'Although some people might possess traits or a personal background that propels them into roles of responsibility, true leadership can only be learned from and encouraged by senior leaders, mentors and organizations.'

Most agree that it is difficult to determine whether the traits make the leader or whether the opportunity for leadership produces these traits. For instance, one's influence on others is not a matter of simply having a dominant personality, it may be that a person becomes more dominant, and therefore more influential, once they are placed into a leadership position. However, the general consensus of those surveyed is similar to Ulrich's statement with most concurring that, although personal traits could help a person to become a leader, traits alone could never guarantee that a person will become an effective leader.

'I think good leaders come to exist through experiences. They often start off as an average person then develop themselves into leaders,' said Lucy Mountain, Conference Director. 'The path to leadership is not always first clear to these individuals but rather develops through circumstances and the desire to succeed. Everyone can develop their capacity to lead, when they are committed to self-analysis, self-betterment and understanding the world around them.'

Dubai set a great example of how clear leadership can transform a city from a desert into the world's leading business hub. Today, Dubai is among the most modern and fastest growing cities of the world. According to the survey, more than 90% of the regional leaders surveyed believe that Dubai's success has a lot to do with its leadership.

'Although what makes a person a leader is still debated I think all leaders seem to share some common traits. The most important trait though is to have a vision or purpose,'

Ulrich added.

'A leader has a clear idea of what he wants to do professionally and personally, and will pursue the goal regardless of the setbacks.'

Ulrich will be a keynote speaker at the 2008 Leaders in Dubai Business Forum to take place from November 16 to 18 at Dubai International Convention Centre. The forum is supported by Citibank, Amlak Finance, Etisalat, Al Mal Capital, Nokia and Wasl, the InterContinental Hotel and Cadillac. Media Partners include Al-Arabiya News Channel and CNN.