Leadership derives from reciprocal imitation that frees the leader from individual obedience demands

Evidence

I designate as the content—the materials, so to speak—of sociation everything that is present in individuals (the immediately concrete loci of all historical reality)—drive, interest, purpose, inclination, psychic state, movement—everything that is present in them in such a way as to engender or mediate effects upon others or to receive such effects. In themselves, these materials which fill life, these motivations which propel it, are not social. Strictly speaking, neither hunger nor love, work nor religiosity, technology nor the functions and results of intelligence, are social. They are factors in sociation only when they transform the mere aggregation of isolated individuals into specific forms of being with and for one another, forms that are subsumed under the general concept of interaction. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 194 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

In a narrow circle, one can preserve one’s individuality, as a rule, in only two ways. Either one leads the circle (it is for this reason that strong personalities sometimes like to be “number one in the village”), or one exists in it only externally, being independent of it in all essential matters. The latter alternative is possible only through great stability of character or through eccentricity—both traits that are conspicuous most often in small towns. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 621 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: In narrow circles individuality requires leadership or complete inner independence — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 621; Functional differentiation frees individuals from role-dictated behavior — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 708; Ruling-personality cohesion and individual freedom both stem from group-shackle breaking — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 670 (+4 more)

Related

• In narrow circles individuality requires leadership or complete inner independence (similarity 0.82)
• Leadership rests on reciprocal imitation, each following because others follow (similarity 0.81)
• Leaders are accepted only when embodying features shared with followers (similarity 0.80)
• Leaders lack direct power; followership grants them agency. (similarity 0.80)
• Ruling-personality cohesion and individual freedom both stem from group-shackle breaking (similarity 0.79)
• Leaders lead by representing a consensus that shared identity makes possible. (similarity 0.79)
• The individual’s inner mental relations mirror social relations among persons (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Individual motives become social only through forms of mutual interaction #corroborates (0.65) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 194
• In narrow circles individuality requires leadership or complete inner independence #expands (0.60) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 621
• Ruling-personality cohesion and individual freedom both stem from group-shackle breaking #corroborates (0.60) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 670
• Leadership roles absorb uncertainty only through advance trust granted before outcomes appear #expands (0.60)
• Functional differentiation frees individuals from role-dictated behavior #complicates (0.55) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 708