What is meant to be a true leader

I watched red cliff the other day with Chris in Melaka. There is one part in the movie that really tells me what it meant to be a true leader.

Some soldier in the troop stole a water buffalo from an old farmer. General Zhou was to identify the bad eggs and according to the camp rules, these soldiers will be put to death. So how did he identify them?

He gather all his troops in the square. He saw a couple of soldier's shoes was stained with mud but instead of single them out , he order the whole troop to run to a nearby tree and gather again at the square. So now all the soldiers' shoes is stained with mud.General Zhou turned to the old farmer, knee down and beg for his forgiveness on behalf for his soldiers. I am impressed and suddenly dawn on me that this should be the way how a true leader will earn the respects from his subordinate.

I will respect and put in all my best effort for such a leader if i have a chance to be with one. I truly respect him.