Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger says that while innovators thrive, innovative leaders are very few. He laments the situation of his own organization which will stall if new things are not developed and only age old characters such as Mickey Mouse or theme parks are leveraged. Instead Pixar has thrived as has Apple as they were both led by Steve Jobs, one of the most innovative ever. A genuine passion for business innovation drives such leaders. They think long term corporate strategy not just short term gains. Such leaders learn from their failures, laying the foundation for future successes. They engage thoroughly with innovators. These leaders ensure mavericks do not get bogged down by the bureaucracy of the middle management, instead continue to deliver in their own way. They create periods during the work week for activities such as brainstorming. Most importantly they are aware of their own skills so work accordingly.

Source: http://fortune.com/2016/04/04/the-leadership-quality-that-truly-separates-disneys-bob-iger-from-his-peers/