Leadership...

Future leaders - members of MSSA's BOO! 2017 Protea Esports Team.

There is no doubt that the saying 'leaders are born, not made" is absolute poppycock.

The reason why some people just seem to be naturally born leaders is more to upbringing than anything else. If you look at the home-life of these so-called natural leaders, it is generally because there parents were leaders, and knowingly, sometimes unknowingly, passed the skills on to their children.

Behavioral theories thus abound that people can become leaders through the process of teaching, learning and observation. Leadership is a set of skills that can be learned by training, perception, practice and experience over time.

It is through many of the games played under the auspices of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) that players can teach themselves the skills of leadership that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

By putting a team together, resolving conflicts, dealing with the administration, and motivating the team in its darkest hours, players can hone their leadership skills. These are the very same skills that can be used in the work environment.

However, what is a leader?

In my mind, the answer is simple. The leader is the one who enables the others, is able to (through mere authority) encourage others to accomplish tasks, is  able to put his/her own needs second to the team, and most of all lead by example by ensuring that the rules apply to him/her first.

It is easy to see through those that garner leadership positions for their own gain. Such individuals come-and-go like ships in the night., and once gone are not missed.

Thus, the opportunities offered within MSSA in administrative and gaming roles are there to help develop individuals, and should be taken advantage of by those willing to work and learn.