Tristan,
This is a very thought provoking and thought filled post!  I think you are right in assessing what differentiates between disposable or renewable leadership.  I think the most telling point is getting shareholders/boards to focus on long term vs. last quarter.  And not just in one company!

The challenge is that most or all public companies seem to be focused on the "last quarter".  Thus, if one company in any industry tries to step out and change the focus to long term -- it might get trampled by investors abandoning to go to the companies that still focus on immediate gratification.

There are companies who have laughed in the face of tradition and rewrote the book in terms of other trends (e.g. customer service at Nordstrom's etc...).  Yet one contact told me that even in those companies -- the primary focus is quarterly performance and profits.

I believe the companies in this global economy would be better off if they took your advice.  The question is: Who will be first to stand out?  And is greed and impatience at the root of the trouble?

Love your post and I will RT it on Twitter.
Many thanks,
Kate Nasser