These are the 5 traits of a leader I believe to be the most important.

This list is based on the traits

enumerated by Raymond Cattell (developed the Leadership Potential Equation 1954).

1. Intuitiveness
 In the present environment, it is not enough for a leader to deliver breakeven results, one
must be able to anticipate the pattern of the way of living in order to be able to deliver the
best results and get ahead of competitors. However, I believe that decisions based on
intuition alone is not enough, it should also be based on hard facts and numbers.
2. Team Orientation
 An effective leader knows that one can't finish a task alone, a team is essential in
finishing a task. Establishing a good rapport among the team members is important to
have a healthy work environment. Additionally, treating and emphasizing the importance
of each role of the members will result in them being highly motivated.

3. Enthusiasm
 In my experience, the leaders that I see are usually extremely driven to a cause and is
enthusiastic for the team to work with him to achieve a goal. According to Cattell, "they
are generally quick and alert and tend to be uninhibited" . I think that this is important
because, if the leader is not enthusiastic about the goal, then I would think that the goal is
not important or not worth working for.
4. Emotional Stability
 There would be a lot of criticisms in the work place from the higher management,
especially when a mistake is made. Although one can't control how the higher
management will react to the issue, a good leader must be able to take the criticism,
whether it is mixed with good or bad reactions. This is connected/linked to;
5. Professionalism
 Even though that this is not listed as a trait of an effective leader by Cattell, I think that
this is important trait to note. One must still be able to do his/her job even when faced
with adversary, negative criticisms, etc. One must not also take his/her anger out on the
team, instead explain what did the client/higher management not like and think about
what they can do better. Even if somebody gets angry, the leader must understand that the
person's anger only exists in the context of the quality of the output and not of the
leader/person itself, therefore must not react in a rash way (gossiping, etc.)

Sources:
“Leadership Traits.” General MacArthur's Thayer Award Speech -- Duty, Honor, Country (1962),
www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/sba/traits.htm'.