Behavioral Theory: can leadership be learned?

If you’ve ever wondered whether leadership is something you can learn, or if it’s just a natural gift, Behavioral Theory has good news: great leaders aren’t born; they’re built. This theory shifts the focus from who leaders are to what leaders do, making leadership a set of behaviors that anyone can study, practice, and improve over time.

Moving Beyond Traits

While Trait Theory tried to isolate personal characteristics like charisma or confidence, Behavioral Theory emerged in the 1940s and 50s as a more democratic approach. It suggested that by observing how effective leaders act, not what innate traits they have, we could understand leadership better and even teach it.

Two major research programs laid the groundwork: the Ohio State Leadership Studies and the University of Michigan Studies

• The Ohio studies identified two primary types of leadership behavior: initiating structure (task-oriented behaviors like setting goals, clarifying roles) and consideration (relationship-oriented behaviors like listening, showing respect).
• The Michigan studies also highlighted two similar dimensions: job-centered leadership and employee-centered leadership.

These findings shaped how companies train managers today. The takeaway? Strong leaders typically balance task focus and people focus. And yes, these behaviors can be learned.

Leadership Is a Set of Habits

Rather than seeing leadership as a fixed identity, Behavioral Theory frames it as a collection of observable actions. Some of the most common and effective behaviors include: Giving clear direction

• Providing regular feedback
• Listening actively to team concerns
• Recognizing and rewarding effort
• Delegating responsibilities appropriately
• Setting high but achievable standards

Because these are behaviors, not mysterious traits, they can be taught through training, coaching, and real-world practice. Leadership becomes more about daily habits than natural charisma.

Real-World Proof: Google’s Project Oxygen

One of the most famous modern applications of Behavioral Theory comes from Google. In the late 2000s, some inside Google questioned whether managers added much value. Google’s People Analytics team launched Project Oxygen to find out.

They studied performance reviews, surveys, and manager feedback to identify what made a great manager. The result was a list of key behaviors, such as:

• Being a good coach
• Empowering the team and not micromanaging
• Expressing interest in team members’ success and well-being
• Being results-oriented
• Communicating clearly

Once these behaviors were identified, Google used them as the basis for manager training and performance reviews. Over time, teams with managers who practiced these behaviors consistently outperformed others. In short: leadership behaviors can be learned, and they matter.

Why It Matters for Founders and Executives

If you're a founder or executive, you've probably been promoted or promoted others based on performance, not leadership behavior. Behavioral Theory is a helpful reminder that leadership isn't about seniority or job title. It's about what you do every day.

Many skilled builders do great work but don’t demonstrate strong leadership behaviors, yet they get promoted to leaders. As a result, we lose a good builder and gain a poor leader.

Maybe you’re naturally analytical but need to work on listening. Maybe you’re great at inspiring people but struggle to set clear expectations. Behavioral Theory invites you to reflect and improve.

You don’t need to overhaul your personality. Instead, ask:

• Do I regularly recognize good work?
• Am I giving my team the clarity they need?
• How well do I balance structure with support?

Leadership can be practiced like any other skill. It’s a muscle; one that grows stronger with use.

Final Thought

Behavioral Theory doesn’t account for context. It assumes behaviors that work in one scenario will work in all. That’s not always true. Later theories like Situational and Contingency Theory expand on this. But as a starting point for personal growth, Behavioral Theory remains one of the most actionable and empowering leadership models available.

If Trait Theory made leadership feel exclusive, Behavioral Theory opens the door. It says anyone, regardless of background, personality, or history, can become a better leader by learning better habits. That’s a powerful message, especially for leaders in fast-moving, growing organizations.

You don’t have to be born a leader. But if you’re willing to learn, reflect, and adapt your behavior, you can absolutely become one.