Born vs. Made

Another thought from reading Peopleware: As a manager, how much effect do you have on people?

Here's a quote from the book:

"A recurrent theme through all the novels is Hornblower's gloomy presentiment that achievers are born, not made... In our egalitarian times, it's almost unthinkable to write someone off as intrinsically incompetent. There is supposed to be inherent worth in every human being..."

A good leader can take people and point them in the same direction. But fundamentally, the people have to want to point in the same direction and, once pointed, they have to move.

So are good employees born or made?

For that matter, are good leaders born or made?