IIRC what Machiavelli said in The Discourses was that being feared is more important than being loved, best of all to be both feared and loved, but at all costs a leader must avoid being hated.

And true leadership is inspirational, it makes you want to do your best. Leaders are scarce in the modern business world. A manager stands behind the troops and drives them forward with a whip; a leader gets out in front and shouts, "follow me!"