Are you comfortable in a leadership position?
No, never. Leading has and possibly always will be, a quality I do not possess. I don't have a rational, clear head, healthy morality or logical thought process for any situation. In fact the best choice I have ever made in any situation is to get out the way and stay out the way while others do their things.
Ever see those mindless people in movies who run screaming and panicing? I'm fairly sure that would be me in most situations, even those that aren't disastrous.
How do YOU lead?
By immediately delegating to those more responsible, gifted and suited to whatever task the foolish moron who put me in charge decided to make me a leader of.
Who are the people who have shaped your leadership style?
No one. I haven't actively made much of an effort to be a leader or perfect a leading style from anyone. If there was anyone who resembles my level of competency in leadership though, it would probably be Theon Greyjoy from Game of Thrones....right up to the part where my dick gets chopped off after I'm betrayed and knocked out by my men.
What kind of leader do you enjoy working for/following? Do you have problems with certain types of leadership?
I enjoy a leader who isn't too hands on and doesn't hover. But leadership is, to me, about knowing what to do in a certain situation, in other words I see decent leadership as a quality of knowledge more than anything else. Too many people get into leadership positions who do not possess any real understanding of what it is they are leading people into.
I suppose that also covers the second question as well, but to add to that; people who deliberately abuse leadership positions for themselves, but who disguise it as some kind of altruistic benefit for the rest. Personal preference over knowing what the knock-on effect of a decision is.
It's not really about being nice, but making difficult decisions and carefully weighing up the odds, even in the heat of a moment where they have to be made quickly. I suppose I echo a point similar to [MENTION=13646]Haven[/MENTION]'s point, though mine is of different levels of knowledge for different situations having the sovereignty over different areas.
Democratic? Maybe, just as long as it's not me. Perhaps that's the issue though...I don't rate myself as some mighty sympathetic, but if I were to lead anyone I'd be incredibly aware of my responsibilities to those I was leading. I tend to think this is why the people who usually do lead aren't so sympathetic, since it gets in the way of decent decision making. Although it could also be the issue as to why so many who end up in such positions aren't suited to it and spend most of their time trying to acquire more power and influence.
In other words...most leaders are dicks...floppy flaccid...penises.
Got any advice on how to be an effective leader?
Be a dick...no really, caring about people gets them killed. Cold decisions get stuff done. And don't listen to anyone, if they can't follow your orders then they were never being led in the first place. You're at the top, right? Prove it.