Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters portrayed in the film Newsies. I'm not making money off this. Please don't sue me; all I own is my soul and I'm pretty sure that's doomed now. Yikes.
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He knows exactly the right words to say. Whatever situation he needs to take care of—and he has a lot of situations—he will know what he has to be. Intimidating? Forceful? Smooth? Sometimes all that's needed is a look, or a nod. And if he has to forfeit words and simply use his fist? Well, he can do that, too. Because he's a leader. A damn good one, too.
Jack Kelly, leader of the boys over in Manhattan, he's got a little bit of this power. He sees what he has to be in order to win the favor of his adversaries. He's got the backing of several major sections of New York, after all, including Brooklyn. Impressive. But when it comes down to the hard stuff, like the Strike, only his reputation really pulls him through. That's why he spends most of his time fulfilling that good guy rep, building his peacemaker status, and when it starts to get tough, letting his little crony David Jacobs do the real talking. Jacobs could really become a match for Spot Conlon one day, if he learns how to use his gift of words properly. But he could never be hard enough. I've seen how he is.
There are others. Sutty Suttcliffe, over in the Bronx; Rocky O'Brien, Harlem; Steve Downing, Staten Island; Swing Ivanov, a Queens big shot. They all have qualities necessary for leadership. O'Brien is very private, no one knows if or when he'll strike out. He needs to be watched the most carefully. Downing is popular among the newsies—not as well liked or respected as Kelly, but close. Ivanov intimidates with his hulking demeanor. And Suttcliffe, he's as hard and calculating as Spot. But they have weaknesses. O'Brien is so withdrawn that he has no prominent alliances with any of the other boroughs. Downing is always taken lightly, and relies heavily on Ivanov for physical support. Ivanov, meanwhile, doesn't have the smarts to outwit anyone. Suttcliffe's problem lies with drink—he's solid when he's sober, but there have been attacks planned for precisely the right time after a few too many shots of Jack. Stability is lost.
Brooklyn has weaknesses, sure. But no one knows exactly what they are, or how to use them to his advantage. It's what makes Spot the most feared, respected and obeyed newsies leader in New York. Because he has the power of words, power to manipulate and abuse their meaning to suit him in all of his situations—and situations come in all sorts of shapes and forms.
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Author's Note: Yes, this is an Original Character POV. Just thought I'd warn you before/if you continue. Heh. :)