I heard yesterday, on the radion ( bbc world service) a panel discussin inequality, in that one member ( billionaire investor etc etc) says that a true leader ( and he quoted Bill Clinton) has the ability to take on board all concerns, make all people feel important, and mediate in a way that I productive.
Now – am I am sure a lot of people may agree/ disagree sometimes , there is no other way to roll up your sleeves and just go and do it yourself.
I don’t advocate having a mad dog/ bullish ” I will go and fix this myself” attitude, but I feel a CEO #must have the skills, determination to do things himself, but do it as a way of showing leadership with humility, not ” I don’t need any one of you – you are fired”
A start up stops being a start up once a product/service is successful. ALmost always it needs more than one to make it happen – SEOmoz – from 5 to 14 – is a good example. You can use contractors of course now and then, but ultimately its your team, and its your leadership which will build or destroy the team.

I once read a fab quote ( and its typical that I forgot who by) – its not how you you talk with your superiors, but your inferiors that truly shows the kind of person you are.