Firm in their independence, they know where they stand and have direction. They can give a lot of direction too, if there's somebody around who cares for it. John Wayne rode tall in the saddle, but mainly his stealth was protection from bad weather and certifiable bad guys. His relationships weren't models of synergy and coordination. He might have been o.k.
All human relationships are interdependent realities.
Always try to think through the matter from the point of view of the other person. Ultimately, in a free society, leadership goes to those with the 'goodies' to allow for progress in the specific circumstances. In a cooperative society, this implies caring for the success of others as well as oneself as a first matter. The swallowing of egos and undeserved privilege are the unfinished tasks in the transformation of American industry - if there is to be one. Our perception comes out of our experiences, usually at guarding ourselves from fear or the need to learn.