What characteristics make up the best NCOs that you have ever known?

I've worked with some awesome NCOs over the years. When your invited to their retirement as a CSM you know you had mutual respect. When while you in the midst of post mobilization training and they've flipped you on your ass preparing you...When they share their clean socks with you after the 60th day of a 90 day exercise....when they come back and run with you after they've completed their APFT and your still working on passing yours...
When your NCO takes you to the side respectfully to advise against doing something counterproductive...sharing a hot cup of coffee as your both waiting on your Soldiers to eat first. Coming to you, an Officer on another team, to ask for assistance to get that MSM write up "tweaked" in order to get their Soldiers/ Service members the award they earned( not downgraded). An NCO that naturally lives the Be, KNow and Do of the NCO Creed. Just a couple of characteristics I can think of.

Accountability and Ownership. Lead from the front - and when you can't - follow diligently.

An NCO that as previously mentioned, led from the front. One that always had your back, even if you screwed up. Obviously, you'd get your ass-chewing, but at the end of the day, clink a beer together and drive-on. One that let you go far enough to learn on your own, and then yanked your chain just before you'd screw up. One that wouldn't make harsh decisions based on biased feelings. One that would listen if you pointed things out. One that didn't have to remind you whom they were, and you functioned 360 as a team. One that didn't hold grudges. One that when they put on their uniform, they were someone you wanted to look up to because they'd been there and done it. One that would show you how to be an NCO, before becoming one. One that would let you take the team lead, so they could guide you. One that pushed you beyond your limits, know what you could handle, but did not yet realize... And finally, one that would as the old saying goes after "working hard", invite you over to "play hard"! These were a few of the qualities that I learned to appreciate from one or various NCOs I worked with. A tragedy, but I never got to work for my father... A man I learned many of these from before I raised my hand. The day he pinned Warrant was the same day he came out on the 8 list at 12 years. I know he would have been one of the best CSMs the Army had had he gone that route - simply in leading by example. He chose the retirement for my mother in case anything ever happened to him... Today in retirement, at almost 70 and broken down after 13 operations, he still works like an NCO and I have to tell him to slow down, let me handle it now Pop... Sorry for my sentimental ending but he will always be the one whom I want to live my life like, though a Warrant, an NCO that never quit! Peace my fellow Brothers and Sisters - may we each have a blessed day! Thank you SGT Gunderson, great question...