IntroductionThe purpose of this article is to point and counterpoint a global business leader who possesses the essential leadership characteristics to be an excellent global and multicultural leader and to identify a leader whose leadership characteristics are not conducive to a global, multicultural organization. The researcher will explain why each of the leaders was selected and identify and describe the characteristics that each individual possesses. Additionally, the researcher will discuss the leadership characteristics that the selected leaders possess that correspond to an ideal leader. Finally, the researcher will compare and contrast the leadership characteristics of the two selected leaders. Why the two leaders were selected The reasons why the researcher selected Mr. Akio Toyoda and Mr. Bernard L. Madoff as successful and unsuccessful global business leaders because both come from humble beginnings. Additionally, the two leaders come from different cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups. Mr. Akio Toyoda started at the bottom and rose from lower to higher positions within Toyota, as Mr. Toyoda is the founder's grandson. Mr. Bernard L. Madoff built Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities from the ground up into a very powerful organization and the majority of Mr. Madoff's family members held key management positions. Mr. Toyoda earned a master's degree in business administration while Mr. Madoff earned a bachelor's degree in political science (Fogelson, 2010; McGee, 2007; Cresswell and Thomas, 2009; Czarny, 2009; Baldwin, 2010). Leadership Traits of a Global Business Leader Essential Leadership Traits for a Great Global LeaderMr. Akio Toyoda is the president of Toyota Motor. Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium; To...... middle of paper ......times of leadership 1.31: Madoff: A scam. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/transformational-leadership-times-131-madoff-ripoff-2450359.html?cat=3Fogelson, J. (2010). Who is Akio Toyoda? Retrieved from http://suvs.about.com/b/2010/02/24/who-is-akio-toyoda.htmMcGree, J. (2007). Creating excellence in a multinational team. Retrieved from http://www.qualitydigest.com/oct07/articles/01_article.shtmlSims, R. (1992). The challenge of ethical behavior in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics,11(7), 505-513. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/docview/198178754?accountid=34899Wood, J., and Vilkinas, T. (2005). Characteristics associated with success: CEO perspectives. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 26(3/4), 186-196. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/docview/226931199?accountid=34899