With almost forty years of military and para-military leadership (read Police) under my belt, I can say even leaders have leaders. In the moment, you may be the final authority and make decisions, but there is always someone you will answer to.
I hear someone saying Elon Musk doesn’t have a boss, but he’s still responsible to shareholders, laws and regulations. Somewhere in the back of his head is a voice that shaped him as he was growing up, still leading him. I have the same thing, it sounds remarkably like my grandfather. I also have a debit to my mentors, to pass on what I’ve learned.
In the main though, I’m a leader by default, inclination or disposition. I have little reservation about stepping up.
The New Word Wars 