They should have the ability to effectively lobby for the rights of people with disabilities. Leaders within the disability community must be able to communicate with persons who have various disabilities. A leader must also possess diplomatic and advocacy skills. Yes, you can be a leader and a follower, often at the same time. Too often, leaders make the critical mistake of not wanting to be followers.
Good leaders are also good listeners.
Leaders emerge from the ranks of followers and often continue as followers of others. Every great leader must fall in line with others and work in the background. Every great leader has sought and acted upon advice from followers and has merged the roles of following and leading. Within the disability community, we must both lead and follow in order to become completely empowered and fully implement the ADA for all American citizens with disabilities. We cannot afford to be fragmented on the basis of our roles.