I'm a teacher. Today, one of my classes wanted to practice some flashmob/dance routine thing.

So I sat and watched them. I was taking mental notes on what made the popular boys popular.

I excluded the boys who are tall, and those that are naturally carefree and witty.

The only other quality that remained was initiative. The 'normal' boys who are popular are more willing to risk attention. They don't crave attention, but they're not afraid of it either. They take initiative in speaking up, joining converstaions, answering questions, and expressing themselves.

Food for thought.