If you want to be a leader, you need to have a semi-consistant play-time to not detract from newbies to the cabal, applicants, and overall "Leadership".
He had provincial at least, and that is more than many Tribunal get, but if you want induct powers, you need to be around to induct.
Back-burner characters should not be leaders.
IMHO Unless you can put out 1-2 hours every day, or 4-6 hours two-four times a week, you have no business in a leader slot. Not only do RP come into perspective for leader characters, but presence has superceded that AND pk in extreme situations.
The mud runs 24-7 and so do the logins, but if you can be around but for 1 hour a day, then be happy playing 1 hour a day and gaining whatever position with said cabal you get, because you are just simply not around enough to be fair to everyone interested in said cabal.
He got no demotions or negative impacts for his presence, and got farther than some would in most cases. I personally feel it entirely viable he got far as he did with his given play times.
No one is saying you have to be 40+hrs a week to gain a leader spot, but if you want the spot, you damn well better be able to play it.
What would you rather, one char wondering why they can't be a leader while within this chars play times, or 1-20 other characters wondering why they cant get an induct while playing 10-40hrs a week?