All leadership qualities can be put into one of two categories: character and competency. Both are extremely important but if I had to prioritize, it clearly would be character. If our ability to deliver results is more important to us than who we are as a person, then we are only one major decision away from disaster. This post by Carey Nieuwhof is excellent:
How do you know you’re a leader worth following? By definition, that’s what a leader is: a person whom others follow. (If no one is following you, you’re probably not a leader, unless you’re pre-launch, but even then, look back at your life. Has anyone followed you… ever?)
Naturally, you can gain a following through a variety of means. Not all are great. Dictators gain following. So do cult leaders. So do criminals.
Not all leadership is great leadership. Which raises the question, how do you know you’re a leader worth following?