What Makes an Effective Leader? Perhaps most remarkable is that, through their actions and thoughts, an effective leader can inspire us. The concepts surrounding leadership remain debatable, as old theories are still considered and new ones continue to emerge. Regardless, leadership can be influenced by several factors related to three main characteristics based on traits, behavior, and situation. Skills are a basic requirement, but traits are essential to leadership. Traits are unique in defining the character of an individual. A combination of strong skills and traits, including emotional intelligence and knowledge of leadership behaviors, become essential factors for a leader to lead effectively. It is important that a leader possess “effective managerial skills at a certain level” (Kreitner 465). On the other hand, a leader will be equipped to turn a “vision into action and successful implementation” (465) by possessing the characteristics necessary to achieve results. Managing Director Robert Polet at Gucci is an exemplary leader, one who possesses emotional intelligence and is admired for h...