There are endless lists of the characteristics of a great business leader. A lot of them add up to someone you are never likely to meet because they don’t describe normal human beings with all the flaws of humanity. They also miss out quite a few of the characteristics that great leaders need to have.

Leaders are not hired or paid to be great people, they are hired and paid to run the business in a way that firstly ensures it survival in the long term and secondly makes money for its shareholders.  That means a laser like focus on revenue and costs and a strong ruthless streak. They do not have to be self-centred psychopaths, but they do need to be very focused on effective decision making and on following through on those decisions. 

Before someone raises the issue of Boeing and its move of focus from flawless engineering to short term profit, the leaders there broke the rule that business survival is the first aim of leadership. Without that engineering focus you will have short term profit but long-term disaster because flawless execution is what your customers pay for.

Great leaders ideally behave with decency when they push through tough choices, but they are ruthless in execution.  Because of the focus on top and bottom line they must be fixated on the customer and the market, and they need to build teams that will understand and support the tough choices however uncomfortable those may be.

Great leaders do not always sleep well at night. They are not always comfortable to work for although generally more inspiring.  Great leaders ensure successful companies that drive economies, provide employment and deliver products you can be proud of.