I don't expect to ever achieve obsolescence as a manager, but striving for it keeps me focused on empowering others to surpass me and my expectations. And as others need you less and less, it just allows you to move on to new, bigger challenges. Your rules article in Fast Company was a great, thought-provoking piece. Even intellectual or service products aren't all that different from manufactured goods. The whole world is the good leader's brainstorming session.
Leaders trust their own judgement.
And it's more than just trusting their gut. First, they ask a lot of independent people a lot of questions. But once they've got those answers, they do a little thinking, make up their minds, and refuse to be denied. Leaders enjoy doing things they don't know how to do. Sounds paradoxical, but it's not.