Leadership is many things to many people, but we find it hard to improve on these thoughts by Lao-tzu from over 2500 years ago:
To lead people, walk beside them
As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence
The next best, the people honour and praise
The next, the people fear
And the next, the people hate
When the best leader's work is done the people say
"WE DID IT OURSELVES!"