The leadership myth

Madeleine McGrath, writing as the guest blogger on Tom Peter's blog, points out the success of Angela Merkel in Germany, despite being lacking in charisma:

"There have been comments on her rather dour and austere demeanor. She is said to lack charisma, with her communication style described at best as calm and measured. She is not perceived as a visionary, and certainly does not have the public profile of the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. She had an uneasy relationship with the Social Democrats, her previous coalition partners. Some commentators say that the caution she learned growing up in Eastern Europe has led to a reluctance to take risks as a leader. All in all, she's scoring pretty low on leadership characteristics by my reckoning.

And yet her leadership of the German people through this troubled economic period has built for her an enviable reputation as a statesperson who is reliable and trustworthy."

McGrath suggests that in the current world crisis the era of the superstar leader in both politics and business may be over. In her opinion substance is now preferred over style. I agree, but may I suggest that that should always be the case?