Question

what does odysseus do when his men eat the lotus plant that shows the epic hero characteristic of leadership?
he forces his men to leave and continue the journey home.
he sends his best men to investigate the island.
he comes up with a plan to defeat the lotus - eaters.
he instructs his men on how to avoid tasting the lotus.

Explanation:

In The Odyssey, when Odysseus' men eat the lotus plant (which makes them forget their desire to return home), Odysseus shows leadership by taking decisive action. Sending men to investigate (before they ate the lotus) doesn't show leadership in response to them eating the lotus. Instructing to avoid tasting (again, before the incident) is not relevant here. Defeating the lotus - eaters isn't the key action. Forcing his men to leave (when they were under the influence of the lotus and had lost their will to go home) is a strong leadership move as it gets them back on track towards their goal (returning home).

Answer:

He forces his men to leave and continue the journey home.