Michael Prescott I usually see it kinda handwaved.  It functions usually as a small bonus conferred to other characters.

But there are so many different leadership styles, and so many situations and people that will mesh well or not so well with them.  Sometimes you want to do your best because you don’t want to let your boss down.  And sometimes you’re flat out afraid to let them down.  Some people need to be micromanaged, others trive when someone delegates and disappears.

It’s a dynamic that has the potential to be very interesting.  It can also make a game run more smoothly.  Ever been to a con game where one of the characters offered is the leader of the group?  Who that character goes to is being to have a massive impact on the rest of the game.

And also.. players are usually just left hanging about leadership.  No help whatsoever.