Great discussion. And as always, everybody's contribution and diversity of thought enriches the topic. Just want to add a small idea to the thoughts about "followers" making you a leader. Some times it is not until years later that you learn you had influenced "followers" from stands you took, ideas you shared, or things you did. Therefore, I think it is vital to behave as a leader, even when at moments it might seem you do not have a following, because you might have more of a following than you think.

Thanks for sparking such a conversation!