What are some character traits that a great NCO/Leader should have? And do you have any advice you would like to share?

Lead by example, always hear what your people have to say, never expect more than you are capable of, and always remember what it was like to be on the other side of those chevrons. or in the case of a TI, DI, or DS the other side of the hat.

Honesty and integrity are first and foremost. Your Soldiers need to know that you can be trusted and that you care for them. Likewise, your chain of command needs to know that you can be trusted and that you are honest. If you mess up ( and you will ) then own up to the mistake and learn from it. Don't play the blame game.

A true leader is the servant of his subordinates.

While success belongs to the team, failure is his and his alone to bear.

To quote CDR Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko (USN, Ret.), founding C.O. of SEAL Team 6, "Lead from the front, not from the rear."

Integrity. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/new-officers-listen-up

first you must know every aspect of your job and strive to learn everything possible about the job above and below. (technically and tactical proficient). Be honest, never promise what you can not deliver and always deliver what you promise. Take responsibility for failure and generously share praise for success, credit those that helped or had a good idea. Be scrupulously fair and friendly with all but do not allow yourself to get tangled up in the misadventures of others. Find Kipling IF and read it, best advice I know of on one page.

I have to agree on being a good example. Don't be afraid of the challenge. By leading be example, your workers will see that you are not afraid of getting your hands dirty and that you do know what you are talking about and expect from them. If you do not know exactly what is needed, then don't be afraid to ask a seasoned Senior NCO for his input. By doing this, you are showing that you are willing to listen to others when you are in doubt. Be advised, you do NOT know everything and are NOT EXPECTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING. JUST KNOW YOUR JOB/SPECIALTY!

In my experience be the leader, I mean do what you say not just talk. Take care of your troops, talk to them, listen to them and if needed take action to help them. While I was active duty I was always the first in and last out, if my people had to work late on a repair, or weekends I was still the first in, in the case of a small last minute job or task, when liberty came around, I let the troops leave and I did the job. There is a lot to being a good and effective leader, and being a person of your word is a big part of it. I could wright a book on military leadership, much of leadership comes from observation. Look at your current leaders see what works for them, and what you like about it, as well as what you don't, and combined it all.

be squared away yourself 1st and foremost. strive for your team to be the best always and with your knowledge train to do so. This will help you on the path of respect. Like a child be fair but firm, you are a leader not their buddy. however that isn't to say you can't take a troop with you to the beach.

Allow people to see you for who you really are. Remember, you too were once like them. A leader will sacrifice just as much as those under his charge and at times even more in order to retain trust and cohesion. Win their trust, you win their loyalty. Take every available moment but not to the extent of being over bearing or manipulative, to quiz and train those under your charge, that way it keeps them current, up to date and proficient in their particular duties. Open yourself up to new ideas and listen to suggestions, you’ll be amazed what you can learn. Train as a team but when circumstances call to do otherwise, have them trained to work comfortably as and efficient individual. Train your trainees to become trainers. In the long run they too will become great leaders.