Might it be fair to say that Leetcode as a proxy for much real world programming is like using heavy duty mental arithmetic to judge one's quality as a research

Might it be fair to say that Leetcode as a proxy for much real world programming is like using heavy duty mental arithmetic to judge one's quality as a research mathematician? I think doing some Leetcode type challenges are important at some point - they open a door in your brain around problem solving, but that door tends to stay open thus grinding those challenges to me offers diminishing returns - if people get more out of them and enjoy them that is great, but I think anyone who has had the thrill of solving hard problems to contribute to a high quality project with real application has a unenthusiastic feeling towards Leetcode type challenges and the hollow achievement from finishing them relative to real work.