Can everyone be a leader?

Everyone has the potential to be a leader but, not everyone is comfortable with leading or has the ambition / desire to be a leader.
As an army officer leading troops into battle, good leadership qualities are vital otherwise, how would you persuade a battalion of soldiers to follow you into the dangerous unknown? Obviously, it is not quite such a dramatic situation in an office environment but - you do need to inspire both loyalty and respect in those who work for you.
You must have an extensive knowledge of your chosen professional field as you will be the first port of call for junior members of your team who require clarification and guidance. You must be able to listen carefully to what you are being told by your staff and, when practicable, be in a position to implement any necessary changes that may be required in order to improve morale in the workplace.
You must lead by example. Arriving late for work and having a reputation as a "party animal" will make it nigh on impossible for you to discipline members of your team when they have issues with punctuality or work attendance. There is much to be said for the old adage, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Of course we all want to be liked, but, maintaining that invisible line between a boss and his or her subordinates will help to ensure that everyone is clear about their role making it easier for both parties in the event that any sensitive employment issues need to be raised. And, whilst we are on the subject of sensitivity - this is another quality that shouldn't be overlooked. Managing a team of vastly differing personalities can be extremely difficult. Invest time in getting to know your staff. This will mean that when or if they are struggling for either personal or professional reasons, you will be able to provide the necessary support to get them through a difficult period and back on track making a viable contribution to the workforce. There are so many different skills involved in being a good manager - just look back on what you have admired or hated from your managers in the past and this will provide an excellent perspective on how to work on becoming a respected and popular leader yourself.