For a new Specialist coming out of basic, what kind of NCO should they seek guidance from to become an effective leader in the future?

1SGT would be a great start they should have experience in being a good follower first and examples of both good and poor leadership. You can learn just as much from each and when given opportunity choose success!

You may have already heard this, but no matter who your NCO is, there's ALWAYS something to learn; it may be what NOT to do, but you should always learn something.

The best thing I can say, is always do your best to understand WHY your leadership takes the positions and makes the decisions they do. There's a lot to be gleaned from understanding people's thought process.

At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to make sure you're learning all you can from your leadership.

To more directly answer your question, look for the guys who you would eat a shit sandwich for even if they didn't outrank you. Figure out what it is about them that makes you want to follow them.

Intelligent and well read.