“Carpe whiteboard!” - This might become the most underrated quote ever found on the entire Medium platform! I want to steal it and make a bumper sticker.
Back to leadership, I’ve often rolled my eyes about people in those positions who were pretending to be leaders — going through the motions of being one but not actually leading — and making the subordinates feel insecure, lost, frustrated, intimidated, belittled or demoralized. On the other hand, there are as many critics of such leaders as there are sand on the beach, and neither side is willing to understand the other. I agree with every point you made about what constitutes leadership, and drawing from what you described about your whiteboard seizing moment(s) confirms, for me at least, that leadership starts with that first act of becoming vulnerable but authentic. It’s showing the other minions, for lack of a better word, that anyone who has the courage to step up and step out of their comfort zone earns the first badge of leadership. But hold your horses, don't rush to judge. I'm not saying anyone who has the guts to be loud is showing leadership. It is not just a hierarchical position atop of which you can cast a shadow over your organization or group, it is a living hub or router of ideas, commands, and needs, functioning laterally in the group so that it can thrive.

So, if I can say my two cents, a leader I can work with with confidence and hope is more like a fellow seasoned musician in an orchestra who also happens to pitch in as a conductor rather than the quintessential egomaniac with a whistle.
Thank you for this article!