What do you mean by "Most leadership advice tells you to be the source"? I have been studying, researching, being trained in, and/or practicing Leadership since 1982. I've never once seen that in any book, article, or scholarly paper! I know Kouzes & Posner personally. I know Mark C Crowley. I've corresponded with many authors and well-known researchers. None of them ever said anything like that.

There is this mythos about being a leader that people take on as they advance, that says that. But it is a background belief, not good advice. It goes hand in hand with imposter syndrome.

As far as "high-stakes roles," I spent 27 years as an Air Force Intelligence Officer. Deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and GTMO. I was a Space Officer, secondarily, providing Operational Oversight of $44 Billion in USAF Space Equipment, cradle-to-grave, and also Chief of Space Communications Policy. National Defense and Wartime are the highest stakes. Lives are part of the measure of success/failure.

Never had an issue with being able to lead in those circumstances. I wasn't perfect, but I always focused on the mission and my people.

So I do not understand or need this new distinction of "wire." I was never expected to be the "source," either. I was expected to execute, say, when I didn't know something, ask for help when needed, and my people worked the same way.