I appreciate the detailed response, I guess I've just been conditioned to equate "leader = manager" on account of their liberal and seemingly interchangeable us

I appreciate the detailed response, I guess I've just been conditioned to equate "leader = manager" on account of their liberal and seemingly interchangeable use in job descriptions and roles (or perhaps that's my own misinterpretation). I do see the difference though, and think that I wouldn't mind being a leader as you describe it, and I believe I have most of the qualities you describe for it. I have thought of myself more as a silent leader (e.g. by example), or through peer coaching, but I am just wary of taking on a managerial role, and it sounds like for good reason: some of those qualities are my weaker points, and I plainly do not enjoy many of those things. Thanks again!