Wow it is odd you brought up this topic. I was just talking with someone who has to write a paper for class, on someone who has been a leader in their life.

CHARISMA: compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
CONFIDENCE: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances.
VISIONARY: thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom.

No leader in my life so far and I haven't come in contact with any either. Some of our greatest leaders never defined themselves as leaders though.

Before I turn in for the night a little something that we are trained on and I firmly believe in. Principles of leadership.

Integrity:  believing in what one is and what one is doing (honest, irreproachable, fair);

Loyalty:  obeying the laws of duty, uprightness (respectful, willingness);

Conduct:  exemplary behaviour and attitude (respectful, willingness);

Appearance and dress (physical aspect):  being well-groomed in person and dress  (distinguished);

Physical shape:  being in generally good physical shape (resistant, vigorous);

Intelligence:  having good judgement (quick-witted, logical, understanding, having a sense of proportion);

Dedication:  being prepared to serve a cause, interests, convictions… (kindness, self-giving);

Courage:  strength, firmness in the face of danger and difficult painful situations (bravery, zeal, boldness); and

Professional knowledge:  knowing one’s job and constantly trying to increase one’s own  level of job knowledge and seeking self-improvement towards it  (comprehension, experience, idea, notion, competence).

This ladies and gentlemen is what I live by and what I encourage my troops to live by.  The choice is up to the individual and that individual's intentions in life.  True leaders are not made, they are born and it is their path.  Many throughout the ages have tried to lead and have failed miserably, and at great expense to themselves and others.  Integrity and loyality are the key.

And from a thesis which I did a while back:

Personality traits of a leader.

During the first half of the 20th century researchers concentrated on determining the specific traits that clearly differentiated leaders from followers.  Many reports affirm that leaders are either born with some traits or learn them, or both.  While there is evidence that certain traits are more important in some situations, there are five personality traits which seem to be characteristic of successful leaders across a variety of situations and organisations.  These personality traits are:

a.   intelligence;
b.   self-confidence;
c.   determination;
d.   integrity ; and
e.   sociability.

Intelligence refers to your analytical abilities required for problem solving, planning and related leadership tasks as well as your abilities to develop technical skills to execute general military and occupation-specific tasks like war fighting, navigating, military writing etc.

Self-confidence refers to the certainty an individual has of possessing the necessary attributes and qualities to succeed in a certain domain.

Determination refers to the real willingness of an individual to reach the set goal, even in spite of the difficulties and required efforts.

Integrity was already defined above as believing in what one is and what one is doing (honest, irreproachable, fair).

Sociability refers to the ability to relate effectively with subordinates, peers superiors in order to be able to develop productive relationships with others and influence their behaviour.  This skill set is essential for developing a strong person-based power.

Great addition Bobby.  I never really though of that.