BBC Two’s reality TV hit, ‘The Apprentice’ in which fourteen hopefuls fight it out to become the six-figure protégé of the AMSTRAD chief has triggered debate on what characteristics make the best leaders.

According to consultants, Mercer Delta those that focus on power and politics might get to the top but aren’t always the best for the business.

Jon Lurie, a Partner at the firm commented: "When it comes to appointing tomorrow's leaders, CEOs need to be wary of those candidates who come most highly recommended - as political power players all too often spend time packaging themselves correctly for the job, rather than genuinely possessing the right talent. The more self-obsessed a CEO candidate is, the greater the danger that they will force their personal agenda onto the organisation, rather than pursuing the right strategy."

Lurie says that the best leaders are often those people who are willing to speak the truth about an organisation.

“Our message to Alan Sugar and to CEOs across the UK would be not to shoot the messenger - a preparedness to engage in constructive conflict in pursuit of the right decision is a key character trait of a strong leader."

Following these guidelines, say Merca Delta will help businesses choose the right leaders:

• The usual suspects: consider casting the net wider and look at the potential of candidates who may not be the obvious first choice


• Games people play: avoid being swayed by too many recommendations from others - politics will often be rife in the boardroom


• The persuaders: don't be overly influenced by what candidates say they can do, look at what they've done and how they did


• Attack of the clones: Alan Sugar says he wants to employ somebody like him but recruiting in one's own image might not always be in the best interests of the organisation


• Deep impact: evaluate what culture they will create and what impact their leadership will have on the rest of the organisation


• Back to the future: often a company will require major changes in the future - the best leaders of today will not always have what is most required tomorrow