What are the determinants of successful leadership style?

The author suggests that a successful leader is highly sensitive to the forces which impinge on him; he accurately understands himself, his followers and the impinging environment. He is capable of being flexible; if direction is required he can direct, if participative freedom is called for he is able to provide and support it. Thus the successful manager of people can be primarily characterised neither as a strong leader, nor as a permissive one. Rather, being both insightful and flexible, he is less likely to see the problems of leadership as dilemma.<>