Which One Is The Leader?

On the way to the beach for an early morning swim and walk today, we passed a gaggle of runners... one woman was out in front, one chap off to the side of the main group, and a couple of stragglers.

Was the leader the one out front?

Nope...

He was initially indistinguishable... but listening in, it became clear that he was right in the middle of the main bunch.... encouraging, keeping spirits up, giving a preview of the hill ahead and getting everyone psyched up and ready for the extra effort and the feeling of success they'd feel at the top.

Seemed to me to be a pretty good lesson in leadership for the workplace...