Not my first rodeo, but I would put elders into four categories:
On average,
1) - 20% are, as mentioned, in it for the glory. They love to have people look up to them (especially older sisters). If they were in a different religion, they would be in similar positions regardless of what the teachings were.
2) - 20% are there because the have put in the time, really don't care, but the CO has asked the elders enough times why brother Slow does not qualify since he has put in 10 hours a month in field service for the past 10 years and is a nice brother.
3) - 30% are nice, loving, caring, but really don't have the skills to be in leadership positions. They do as they are told, follow the rules, etc. Typically, they have other family members who are elders and they get the position by attrition.
4) - 30% really care. The title is not the important thing. They like the attention but that is not the driving factor. They just use it to do what they feel is best. They are sincere.
Having had both a grandfather and father as "servants" or later elders, I can't tell you how many nights I would overhear my father talking to some other elders locally or in near-by congregations late into the night when there was some problem or issue. I must admit, he was very intelligent but never played that card to intimidate others. I would put him into the category 4 above.
As least this was the way it was over the years. It seemed like every nearby congregations had a similar cast of characters. Just the names were changed.
Rub a Dub