Friends, Hirelings, and Side-Kicks

[restlessgriffin]

If you have a small group say only 1 or 2 players, what is a good way of allowing NPCs controlled by the GM as members of the party while NOT outshining the PCs. I'm specifically, looking at ways to use the NPCs to help the PCs survive and thrive while NOT taking the focus away from the PCs.

One area I really like is Leadership skill (Adventurers (A) p 80. I find this to be of little use with a standard party with no NPCs. Where it really shines is when used with hirelings and side-kicks. What other skills, advantages, etc work will with NPC sidekicks and hirelings?

Any tips to running side-kicks/hirelings so they can emphasize the PCs usefulness and not detract from their awesomeness?

Like say their is a Cleric who has a lower point sidekick Holy Warrior. Or Barbarian with a hireling Druid (at say 50-100 points lower). Maybe the party has an NPC sidekick halfing thief that is with the party because they were rescued.