It seems that sanity of human life revolves around having ego. Without it, you'd probably have no sense of insecurity about your self worth and therefore have no motivation whatsoever to do anything. Ergo, you just sit and die.
This ego comes in many sizes and forms. By pareto, 80% of people have egos of the size of Taj Mahal - meaning they see everyone as a competitor and therefore are ready to be manipulated.
The other 20% - again by pareto - are the ones who are just happy to be. The ego that they have is the size of a pea - meaning they just get along and live in the present. Of course, the intent is not to find out where one fits. The intent is to debunk some myths, chiefly, leadership.
We are told to be leaders, we like leaders, especially in areas where we want things to happen and have no control over but are affected. While leaders should be from 20% (ideally), they mainly come from the 80% due to the entire ego-philosophy. Hey! if I don't have an ambition to lead someone, why the hell would I do it anyway.
Point being, you can cry your ass out about senior management, bosses, political leaders and other people who are out there deciding your fates, realize that (a) you are doing the same in your own territory; or (b) you are least worried about it.
There are preachers aplenty who talk about Leadership, thinking clearly, communication and other blah. Remember, you are born to do something. If you don't do it you will feel insecure and be the 80%. On the contrary, without thinking twice, if you take the plunge and achieve what you set out to you will never have to worry about being a leader.