What are the qualities you look for in an IT leader?

I look for what I call the "E" skilled candidate. While T-skilled usually refers to having  the combo of technology and business skills (which I consider the baseline)  E skilled folks are also:

extroverted : builds relationships across the business and industry that bolster IT reputation and standing as a business partner.

entrepreneurial: creative, sees the big picture and the details, mitigate risks, cost conscious, seizes opportunities

experienced in the industry: brings deep understanding of what works/doesn't, understands what defines competitive advantage,  has or is connected to peers and has a sphere of influence.

experimental: innovative thinkers/complex problem solvers, not afraid to try something new in a contained and controlled manner

emotionally intelligent: builds kick-ass teams, politically astute

empathic: sees opportunities to build bridges and relationships  with staff/leadership/professional peers.

From a qualifications perspective, an IT leader with a degree in engineering, who also has an MBA is a very powerful combination.

And a great IT leader is one who realizes effective IT required qualified and trained people behind the IT infrastructure.

Many good answers here… vision, practicality, emotional intelligence, communication skills, the ability to staying teachable, and a commitment to inclusion all important.

It’s not something you can interview for, but high ethical and moral standards are foundational for good IT leadership. With great power comes great responsibilities, and your team and those that count on you have to have trust and you need to earn it.

A good blend of practical experience but a vision to the future with risk taking that has show to pay off in results

Vision that isn’t practical for the particular business is not valuable

Vision and being practical