What is your description of the differences that separate leaders from rulers?

Leaders make decisions that are in their minds are in the best interest of the ones they lead. Rulers make decisions that benefit their own personal goals and agenda.

A leader leads, a ruler rules.

Leading implies that there is a direction to be followed… an end to be reached. Ruling suggests a required submission to a series of whims and desires.

Therefore, a leader is one who guides a populous to a certain end or goal (that may or may not be agreed upon). Whereas a ruler is a dominant figure to whom servitude is required.

Off of the top of my head:

A leader considers himself and is considered by others in the group as a member of that group, whereas a ruler is removed from those he rules.

The decisions made by a leader have an effect on the leader as well as those he leads. The decisions of a ruler may regard only the lives of those he rules, while not having an impact on his own life.

Leaders inspire, rulers suppress.

Leaders guide, rulers control. Leaders succeed, rules don’t.

A leader is trying to take you someplace else, a ruler is trying to keep you where you are.