Laertes is decisive, confident, and a strong leader. Hamlet is indecisive, self-conscious, and unable to lead. Hamlet wavers - he wants revenge desparately, but he is too scared to follow through. This is seen in the "To Be or Not to Be" speech in Act III, scene i, where Hamlet specifically mentions his fear of taking action. Also, in Act III, scene iii, Hamlet has a clear chance to kill Claudius when Claudius is alone, but he is unable to.
After Polonius' death, however, Laertes barges in ready to take action. He challenges Claudius to his face, rather than trying to trap him in a confession like Hamlet does, and then challenges Hamlet to his face. In all his actions, Laertes is more upfront. He is a good leader in Act I, scene iii, when he shows responsibility in his speech to Ophelia, cautioning her with specifics and calling upon her duty to follow his direction.
Laertes is a steadier character overall, and this gives him an edge over Hamlet.
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