If Joseph Nye, one of the world's most respected and influential scholars, is right - that leadership can be learned - then we need to look hard at what we can learn from those at the helm of today's 'new world order'.
On June 4, US President Barack Obama - arguably the most powerful man in the world - went to Cairo to 'seek a new beginning' with the Muslim world. He did not demand one, or threaten to use force. Mr Obama appealed to Islamic leaders by asking them to focus on commonalities, not differences. He asked for collaboration - to work together for mutual interests and with mutual respect. And, for the first time in a long time, his audience warmed to America's idea.
One single speech won't bring peace to the Middle East, but what Mr Obama did was impressive. He communicated not with words, but by what they mean. It is the spirit of his words - his sincerity - and the way he said them that merited the applause. The significance of his words for many, like Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud, is that Mr Obama 'talked about humility, not power'. Talk is indeed cheap, but if spoken from the heart and not used as a power trip, it does have the potential to tear down walls. And if America can follow up with actions that embody the spirit of the president's words, peace can be achieved.
The current American president clearly saw and learned from the mistakes of previous administrations. It is almost too easy to point out the mistakes of others and criticise. But to be able to make a difference requires the ability to look past them, recognise one's imperfections and use that experience to make amends. It is even easier to stick with confrontational rhetoric, exploit conflicts and divide and conquer. But, in today's world, reigning on a moral high horse is not leadership - at least not the kind we need globally or locally.
Our world has changed since the days of blood and glory of centuries past. And there is much to be learned from men like Manmohan Singh. Being re-elected for a second term as prime minister of India, the world's second most populated country, is no small feat. The first since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a five-year term, Dr Singh is striking. On the surface, he is everything Mr Obama is not. Mr Obama is eloquent; Dr Singh is not. Dr Singh is in his 70s and not in good health. In short, he is no poster child of an outstanding leader.
But Dr Singh is remarkable because, when we scratch that surface, we find a leader who has turned his lack of political qualities (ineloquence, for one) into his biggest strength. A quiet man who often steps away from centre stage, Dr Singh's modesty became his strongest suit. It is hard for many to imagine that he was once considered weak and unlikely to succeed in his bid for the top job.