Contrary to the common myth that leaders are born, modern research confirms that leadership is a skill set one can actively learn.  Key components of effective leadership include communication, emotional intelligence, self-awareness and influence - traits that benefit from deliberate cultivation. Online courses and training programs these days emphasize this: for example, many leadership curricula begin with “leading yourself” before “leading others,” underscoring that leadership begins internally.
Moreover, leadership isn’t reserved for job titles or management levels. Anyone who influences a project, collaborates with peers or guides outcomes taps leadership potential.
 In practice, the skillful leader builds trust, listens actively, resolves conflict, sets vision and adapts. Since these qualities are learnable, early-career professionals need not wait for promotion—they can start practising leadership behaviours now by taking initiative, seeking feedback and consistently improving.