They accurately understand themselves, the individuals and groups they are dealing with, and the company and broader social environment in which they operate. And certainly they are able to assess the present readiness for growth of their subordinates. Successful leaders are those who are able to behave appropriately in the light of these perceptions.
If direction is in order, they are able to direct; if considerable participative freedom is called for, they are able to provide such freedom.
Thus, successful managers of people can be primarily characterized neither as strong leaders nor as permissive ones. Rather, they are people who maintain a high batting average in accurately assessing the forces that determine what their most appropriate behavior at any given time should be and in actually being able to behave accordingly.
Being both insightful and flexible, they are less likely to see the problems of leadership as a dilemma.