Who do you look up to for their leadership qualities?

Gets people more involved and decreases apathy. Someone who updates the population he or she is leading. The leader has to be interested in the subject, and not go off into tangents, in other words, has to be devoted to the group.

In addition to what Mtl zack said: Is inspiring. My example: Obama!

Positive outlook, collaborative rather than dictatorial or micromanager, encourages ideas, can be decisive.

• Leads by example
• Says “follow me” NOT “do what I say”
• Collaborates as AlfredaPrufrock said
• Hires good people, gets them resources they need and gets the hell out of the way.
• Admits when they are wrong
• Not afraid to let others shine
• Feels responsible for their people (not burdened by them)
• Inspires through confidence and new ideas
• Is extremely organized
• Communicates well and often (like a human, not through memos and meetings)

I worked real hard to follow these rules when I was an academic chair. I hope I succeeded (but you’d have to ask my former team).

Now I have a boss who mostly lives up to this standard – I am very lucky.

Most of my previous bosses were the polar opposite of this ideal.