How does one become a star? There are qualities such as hard work, dedication, keeping your eye on the prize—and sometimes it comes down to pure luck.

Those who stand out and emerge from the masses have something that others left behind don’t—leadership abilities.

Charismatic characters aren’t afraid to be bold, caring, empathetic and engaging. And, they know how to be all those things wrapped up in one dynamic package. According to a recent Forbes.com article, the one thing that marks the best leaders is the fact that they understand that it’s not all about them.

Great leaders understand that it’s not about being right. It’s about what is right for the greater good. They engage, listen, discern and act, with listening being the key component. Leaders with a great ear gain valuable knowledge built up from years of experience and learning from others. Without a keen ear and astute observation, key learning opportunities are wasted. A great leader knows his or her limits and learns from others when necessary.

True leaders do not treat their people as subordinates. They give credit where credit is due and take blame when necessary. They admit fault and mistakes and know how to compromise when necessary. They aren’t just figureheads there to take all the credit. They know how to jump in and work just as hard as the rest of the team.

Finally, great leaders get results. They are an inspirational bunch, focusing on internal collaboration, and they have a set of values, a vision, a mission and a clear strategy.

What marks a great leader in your book?