An organisation is something more than the sum of all the individuals working there. But it would serve an organisation ill if it forgot that while employees are supposed to put in maximum effort into the tasks assigned to them, they will not do so unless their interests are taken into account fully by their employers. In that sense then, people really work for themselves and not so much for the organisation.

An important quality of a leader is fulfilling the commitments he or she has made to people around him. Great leaders take on added responsibilities only after they have fulfilled their existing ones. A true leader should always walk the talk.

Sharing is another important aspect of leadership. A leader must always share the best practices and achievements of the team members with his or her peers. This earns tremendous prestige for the leader and the organisation in the community and the industry.

Managing weaknesses is yet another factor that can make or break leaders. A leader must never shun uncomfortable responsibilities as it casts a shadow on a team's faith in its leader.

Look out for complimentary skills when you are recruiting team members. The team leader should not hesitate in letting other members know his or her shortcomings. This would go a long way in fostering team spirit and opening up new channels of communication.

The leader should have the ability to recognise and hone the talent of his or her team members. The team members have to be mentored and given the confidence that they can be world-beaters.

Finally, what makes a leader tick is whether he or she has a strategic vision and a proper gameplan to make his organisation one of the best in the industry.