Establish a Vision

The ability to establish a vision or a tangible vision and energise subordinates towards achieving it are the two most critical attributes that a good leader must have. Once one determines where the organization is headed in a specified time frame, he should along with their team members move towards achieving that goal in a disciplind and purposeful manner.
While trying to achieve ones vision, mistakes are inevitable. The important thing as a leader is to be sure of the direction and move towards rapidly, cutting down on talk and enhancing action. Delay could put him or her out of the race forever. Too often, organizations fail because leaders tend to get stuck, analyse endlessly and seek a perfect answer. And it dosen't pay if one are too rigid. If one are dogmatic about a decision even after circumstances have changed, it is the perfect recepie for disaster. Sometimes, one have to go by institution, and be flexible enough to make a last minute adjustment if the situation demands.
  When dealing with people, one should remember that the good of the company is more important than the perceived good of the employees.
  Trying to get everyone to like one is a sign of mediocrity. Conversely, trying to please all the people all the time will surely upset the most productive people in the organization. As a leader therefore, one must take decisions that may not be popular, but are critical for his organization to thrive. At the same time, employees must have enough faith in him to approach him with their problems without fear of retribution.
  Finally, a leader in modern corporate environment needs to be a role model for the orgaisation. In the words of Aristotle, "A true leader must endeavour to be what he desires to appear".