Some might tend to overlook Paul's stature as a leader, but he has many followers, who willingly adress him as such. 

Every one has their own ideas of what a "leader's" characteristics should be.

Mine are the three "C'S"..COURAGE, COMMiTMENT, COMPASSION..certainly, you can think of many more, for instance honesty, but to me that's included in "commitment".

I'm going to adress these characteristics which Paul possessed in reverse order.

COMPASSION.  To Timothy, he advised him not to rebuke older men, but treat them as their father would, and again  to take care of the widows, and not to be  be in a hurry to punish.   Then, again to Timothy, he expresses his concern for him. Urging him always to be careful not to exert himself too much and to take a little wiine to aid his ailments.  To Titus, he urged him to hurry to Zanas and Apolos, to ensure they are taken care of.  These are just some examples of his compassionate nature..there are many more.

COMMITMENT..  in ways this will naturally interconnnect with courage.  In the very beginning, when he arrived a broken, blind man in Damascus, after regaining his sight, he would not allow anyone to detract him from the mission that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not even fear of persecution and death, until Jesus' followers told him that his activities endangered them, only then did  he leave Damascus.  He demonstrated his commitment to the special message he had been given by facing the leaders in Jerusalem and refusing to back down as to the need to "proselyte" his followers.  By my understanding of how far his travels took him, it's another sign of how he was commited to bring the true gospel to as many diverse peoples as possible..carrying over to today, through his teachings.

COURAGE..By his own admission, he was not impressive physically, and he was in daily pain through that "splinter" in the flesh.  He also was no orator, and yet he stood in many outdoor public arenas and exhorted listeners to understand the truth.  Even speaking before kings and emperors in an effort to make them aware of his teachings.  Here was Nero, who thought of himself as a god, and Paul had the courage to remind him that there was only one God and it wasn't him.  Think of the thousands of miles he travelled on his journeys.  How? By foot, maybe if he's lucky by ox cart, crossing border after border, facing city magistrates and bringing the gospel to the people.  He was beaten, set upon by animals, and imprisoned numerous times, and yet NOTHING deterred him from speaking out.  He was shipwrecked 4 times. Acts only mentions the one. Picture yourself being shipwrecked,  would you have the courage to get back on another leaky old sailboat, that had no business braving the mighty Mediterranean?  When he heard of the persecutions by Nero of his followers, he hurried back to face the "music" and be with his people, now that's a leader.. paulnbob