This is just my opinion. Highly influenced by experience but not by anybody or current series of events.I know for a fact that when tasked to choose a successor, you will consider tenure. I agree. This would mean the person has the experience and the right exposure to the projects involved.

Next, the technical expertise. By experience, I know people respect other people who they know are better than they are. They trust the experts. If and when a problem arises, the people are confident that they have their leader as their guaranteed support.

Third, but the most taken-for-granted of all, empathy. Does this person care at all if his/her people gets overworked? Will he/she simply ditch any work done (aka effort) of any employee just because it isn’t what he/she had in mind? Will he/she know the meaning of compromise? Will he/she not mind if you enjoy the benefit more than the others as long as you have the work done (even exceeding expectations)?

Have you chosen wisely?