That said, John, the fact still remains that it is both an art and a science, otherwise there would be little point in us standing before MBA classes with content would there :) Wasn't it Isaac Newton who said "If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants"...

You're right about leaders being made and shaped via experience though. I really do think that the role of knowledge is to create the platform for revelation, i.e. leadership growth can only come from involving oneself in acts of leadership. Your John Wooden quote says it quite nicely.

On the subject of MBAs, do you think they actually cover the very important  subject of leadership sufficiently anyway? As I see it, the majority choose to make planning, organizing and controlling a priority (still!). Would be interested to know your thoughts on that.