Leadership is about achieving the very best outcomes with the resources available at the time. In an ideal world, the leader will have at her/his disposal the very best staff in the industry, with leading edge techniques and procedures. Few of us live in this world, but that is not to say that we just make do with what we have. Leaders achieve great things, in less than ideal circumstances. This entails inspiring, training, coaching and mentoring, directing and correcting, all in careful measure.
Better leaders are not self-serving but, rather, they are focused on the outcomes. They are good listeners; they are considered. They know when the time for listening and learning is up and when decisions need to be made. They understand that their decisions will impact many people in many ways and will have thought through the consequences of their decisions before they are made. They will have thought out the necessary mitigation strategies for such occasions and the various effected audiences, even if they are unable to influence an entirely satisfactory outcome for all. They are measured, they are visionary, they are creative, they are decisive and they are resilient.
For most people, these skills are hard learnt, with education and training, experience at the coal face, both personal and by observing others, and hard work.