I think this dichotomy is an intricate part of the process of selecting leaders..
Type "A" (read ego trip) leadership traits do shine in some eyes. Typically the ones that have these traits are also the ones that do the selecting.
Hence the dichotomy. How do you tell someone that the traits they admire in themselves are not what they should select in their future replacements??
There are many more MacArthur's than there are Bradley's..