The first trait is trust. President Jimmy Carter personifies trust. He was successful with the Camp David accords and, more recently, in preserving peace in Korea and Haiti, and he continues to serve the cause of peace in the world today because he is so honest and straightforward that he is genuinely trusted. A leader takes the initiative. Carpe diem, or seize the day, has always been a fundamental tenet of leadership.
Leaders feel a sense of urgency in whatever they do.
A strong leader will always be more interested in tackling a tough problem today rather than waiting until tomorrow. Good judgment is also critical to leadership. Yet judgment is a trait built over time. Every leader will respond differently to different situations because of his or her own different experiences. Good judgment is developed over time and is often developed in the wake of bad judgment.