Another week and another survey of learning professionals has been published. They come around regularly and like TexMex food, seem to consist of the same ingredients which are folded differently and presented as something new.

This time it’s asking quantitative and qualitative questions about leadership. What do we think will be the most popular responses to the question ‘What leadership skills are most needed?’.

The answers are, of course built around the following:

• Developing talent in others
• Leading change
• Creating direction
• Inclusion and belonging

I’m not saying they’re wrong, I’m just perplexed. They’re pretty much identical to every list we’ve seen in the last 20 years.

It’s ‘almost’ as if these are simply common traits which we demand of people who are leading organisations.

Can you develop traits through learning and development?

Would you want to?