The old style of leadership, in which virtually all responsibility and authority is lodged at the tip of the management pyramid, is becoming obsolete, according to Fortune magazine. Citing case after case in corporate America, the magazine shows that the new, effective style of leadership has seven charateristics that can serve as guidelines for those who would be better leaders:

1. Trust your subordinates.
Push responsibility down the ladder and rely more on the energy and talent of your subordinates. If that's not happening, it may be because they don't trust the company to reward these qualities and the company doesn't trust them to exhibit such qualities.

2. Develop a vision.
Subordinates like to know where they're going and why. Leasers must plan for the long term and must be able to sell their vision to subordinates.

3. Keep your cool.
By demonstrating grace under pressure, leaders inspire those around them to stay calm and act intelligently.

4. Encourage risks.
Encourage subordinates to take chances and accept errors. The future of an enterprise lies in willingness to experiment and move in untested directions. And leaders must lead the charge personally.

5. Be an expert.
Do your homework and know at least as much as your subordinates.

6. Invite dissent.
Smart leaders hire people with youth and vitality- and those who complain a lot about the status quo.

7. Simplify.
Zero in on essentials. Come up with simple answers to complex questions.