This paper addresses leadership quality using follower assessments of traits and affective relationships. We compare US presidential candidates who were successful in their bids for the presidency to those who were unsuccessful. Perceived knowledge, charisma, morality and decency, as well as warmth and compassion are significantly different between these two groups, indicating that these perceptual qualities are key factors in election success. Each of these perceptual qualities is also significantly linked with follower assessments of leadership quality. Additionally, findings indicate that assessments of follower positive and negative affect (including pride, hopefulness, fear and anger) toward leaders are significantly related to follower assessments of leadership ratings
