Emma Jane,

You bring up such a good point. I think the answer to your question is the skill of self-awareness. This is a critical leadership skill.If you don't have it, you've got to cultivate accountability and learn it. I've written about this more (How Not to Walk Naked...) at http://trailblazeinc.com/2011/08/6-ways-to-not-walk-naked-down-street/

This is one of the reasons Daniel Goleman's work around emotional intelligence is so vital for effective leaders.

The good follower question is related, yet different. I like to say that we are all accountable to someone (autocratic national dictators not withstanding). How we show up in that accountable absolutely influences our leadership of our own teams.

Thanks for the contribution!

David