I always had trouble showing leadership. High school, Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, military (even as an officer), I never felt comfortable leading a group of any size. When Doc Easterling appointed me JS, it took a while to realize he was really appointing me Master years down the road. At the end of my year as SS, due to our JW electing to drop out of line, I was offered to skip JD and be appointed SD.
After much contemplation, I declined and took JD, realizing I needed the whole 7 years it would take (in our GL) to progress to Master.
On the other hand, my friend Larry came to Masonry in his mid-40s, having been in, and presided over, other civic groups. Even as a new Mason, he exhibited good leadership skills and when needed, he was elected JW within a year of his being Raised.
After serving as Master, he then got back into line as JS, as he hadn't served the appointed chairs!
S&F