In a traditional pyramid, executives are under no obligation to justify their decisions to the "plebes."
Not so for Torvalds.
On those rare occasion when he is forced to make a decision,
Torvalds goes to great lengths to explain his reasoning to the broader Linux community.
He has also been quick to admit mistakes
when unfolding events have cast doubt on previous decisions.
Torvalds understands that in a community of peers, people bow to competence, commitment, and foresight, rather than to power.
The fact that Torvalds has retained his position at the center of the Linux galaxy for more than a decade,
without any formal mandate, makes him a worthy role model for aspiring 21sr-century leaders.