I don't think there's any one definition. I believe in situational leadership where you adapt a leadership style to a particular situation.

You know, sometimes, if you're fighting a war, you need the style of a Gen. Patton. Sometimes when you're working around a set of engineers, you need a different style.

I think leaders do have some common traits, though. One of them is that they have a vision. Two, they can state that vision in plain language so people understand where they need to go. Three, the leader sets high moral standards, so there's no question about whether he has a vision but whether he has the moral character to carry that vision out.

Then I think you have to find good people. You hold them accountable, and you praise their successes. It's a pretty simple recipe.

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