History Main / LeaderWannabe

* Weiss, in the first volume of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', tries to get herself declared leader of the team. She fails because none of her teammates even like her- much less follow orders from her- and Professor Port recognizes that it is caused by her ego and persuades her to drop it. Unusually for the trope, Weiss is partly justified in her rebellion, due to Ruby in her eyes being an under-experienced goofy young woman who doesn't seem to take her studies very seriously in class (though given their teacher is the bombastic [[TheBore yet overly verbose Professor Port]], even that's not without some merit) and both girls end up [[AnAesop learning]] that leadership has to be ''earned'', not demanded or simply expected to work out without proper effort.

* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam'', it's revealed that Ludwig thinks of himself as the leader of [[SiblingTeam The Koopalings]], when in reality they all consider each other equals.

** In ''[[VideoGame/SonicBoom Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric]]'', Knuckles tries to take charge of the group at the Purification Plant, stating that Sonic and Amy take the elevator while he and Tails return to town in case it's attacked again, never mind that he took offense to Amy ''[[ByNoIMeanYes suggesting the exact same thing moments before]]''. Nobody took him seriously there.

** A more dangerous parallel comes in the form of James Ironwood, who tries to put himself in command of the BenevolentConspiracy before and after the Fall of Beacon, due to having criticisms of Ozpin's leadership. While already the [[GeneralFailure leader of Atlas' military]], a fairly decent fighter and charismatic to those who share his viewpoints, he is not as respected by his colleagues due to his numerous personal flaws, such as an unwillingness to listen to internalize differing opinions, a [[ControlFreak need to control the actions of others]], a [[HolierThanThou belief in his own superiority]], an [[TheParanoiac excessive paranoid streak]] that often views everyone else in the worst light possible, and a stubborn unwillingness to [[NeverMyFault admit any fault]] whenever his actions end up making things worse. These traits only worsen after the Fall of Beacon, and combined with the toxic culture of obedience enforced in his home nation of Atlas and his inability to admit his ineptitude as a leader, he ultimately spirals out of control when his failings are exploited at every turn by [[BigBad Salem]] and [[TheDragon Cinder]].

** A more dangerous parallel comes in the form of James Ironwood, who tries to put himself in command of the BenevolentConspiracy before and after the Fall of Beacon, due to having criticisms of Ozpin's leadership. While already the [[GeneralFailure leader of Atlas' military]], a fairly decent fighter and charismatic to those who share his viewpoints, he is not as respected by his colleagues due to his numerous personal flaws, such as an unwillingness to listen to internalize differing opinions, a [[ControlFreak need to control the actions of others]], a [[HolierThanThou belief in his own superiority]], an [[TheParanoiac excessive paranoid streak]] that often views everyone else in the worst light possible, and a stubborn unwillingness to [[NeverMyFault admit any fault]] whenever his actions end up making things worse. These traits only worsen after the Fall of Beacon, and combined with the toxic culture of obedience enforced in his home nation of Atlas, he doesn't get the right feedback (or is [[IgnoredEpiphany unwilling to listen if it clashes with his ego]]) and he ultimately spirals out of control when his failings as a leader are exploited at every turn by [[BigBad Salem]] and [[TheDragon Cinder]].

** A more dangerous parallel comes in the form of James Ironwood. While already the [[GeneralFailure leader of Atlas' military]], a fairly decent fighter and charismatic to those who share his viewpoints, he is not as respected by his colleagues in the BenevolentConspiracy that fellow headmaster [[BigGood Ozpin]] leads, primarily due to his numerous personal flaws such as unwillingness to listen to internalize differing opinions, a [[ControlFreak need to control the actions of others]], a [[HolierThanThou belief in his own superiority]], an [[TheParanoiac excessive paranoid streak]] that often views everyone else in the worst light possible, and a stubborn unwillingness to [[NeverMyFault admit any fault]] whenever his actions end up making things worse. These traits only worsen after the Fall of Beacon, and combined with the toxic culture of obedience enforced in his home nation of Atlas, he doesn't get the right feedback (or is [[IgnoredEpiphany unwilling to listen if it clashes with his ego]]) and he ultimately spirals out of control when his failings as a leader are exploited at every turn by [[BigBad Salem]] and [[TheDragon Cinder]].

** A more dangerous parallel comes in the form of James Ironwood. While already the [[GeneralFailure leader of Atlas' military]], a fairly decent fighter and charismatic to those who share his viewpoints, he is not as respected by his colleagues in the SecretConspiracy that fellow headmaster [[BigGood Ozpin]] leads, primarily due to his numerous personal flaws such as unwillingness to listen to internalize differing opinions, a [[ControlFreak need to control the actions of others]], a [[HolierThanThou belief in his own superiority]], an [[TheParanoiac excessive paranoid streak]] that often views everyone else in the worst light possible, and a stubborn unwillingness to [[NeverMyFault admit any fault]] whenever his actions end up making things worse. These traits only worsen after the Fall of Beacon, and combined with the toxic culture of obedience enforced in his home nation of Atlas, he doesn't get the right feedback (or is [[IgnoredEpiphany unwilling to listen if it clashes with his ego]]) and he ultimately spirals out of control when his failings as a leader are exploited at every turn by [[BigBad Salem]] and [[TheDragon Cinder]].

* Weiss, in the first volume of ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'', tries to get herself declared leader of the team. She fails because none of her teammates even like her- much less follow orders from her- and Professor Port recognizes that it is caused by her ego and persuades her to drop it. Unusually for the trope, Weiss is partly justified in her rebellion (Ruby being an inexperienced goofball who slacks off in class) and both girls end up [[AnAesop learning]] that leadership has to be ''earned'', not demanded.

* Chapter 5 of ''VideoGame/FugaMelodiesOfSteel'' introduces Wappa, the leader of a group of kids from her hometown. When the Taranis accidentally wrecks the treehouse she lives in, she decides to join its crew of children, proclaiming she's the leader that they need...despite constantly slacking off, and to the potential frustration of Malt, who (if still alive) has been the unofficial leader of the team thus far.

* Given the rampant amount of ArmedFarces and MildlyMilitary going on in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'', this trope also comes up.

[[folder:Films]]

* ''Film/{{Serenity}}''. Jayne tries this at one point when he's disgusted with Mal's leadership, providing the page quote above.

* Buttercup of ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' believes sometimes that she should be the leader instead of Blossom.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'': Raphael fits this role in "New Girl in Town," constantly second-guessing Leonardo and being firmly convinced that he'd be a better leader, to the extent that Leo gets sick of it and hands the position over to him. It doesn't take long for Raph to crack under the pressure, unable to think of any better strategy to deal with [[PlantPerson Snakeweed]] than "[[AttackAttackAttack go for the head]]" and freezing up completely when Mikey is injured. When they escape, Raph has a better understanding of [[TheChainsOfCommanding what Leo has to go through every day]] and admits to Splinter that he can't handle the leadership position.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'';

* In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Goku makes Gohan the leader of Universe 7's team of fighters and he goes about making plans and strategies for the team to use in the Tournament of Power. However, the moment the fights start, Goku, Vegeta, [[spoiler:Frieza]] and the Androids go their own directions, leaving an exasperated Gohan to lead Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, and Master Roshi in the main plan.

* When [[Comicbook/{{Robin}} Damian Wayne]] briefly joined the ComicBook/TeenTitans (at [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson]]-[[TakingUpTheMantle as]]-Franchise/{{Batman}}'s urging), he immediately declared himself leader (since the current Comicbook/{{Robin}} is traditionally the leader of the team), but this led to conflict with the Titans and their actual leader Comicbook/RedRobin, (Tim Drake).
* ComicBook/{{Iznogoud}} and his "[[CatchPhrase I want to be caliph instead of the Caliph!]]"

--> '''Jon:''' Hey, who's the master around here?!
--> '''Garfield:''' If you have to ask, it isn't you.

* ''Film/{{Serenity}}''. Jayne tries this at one point when he's disgusted with Mal's leadership, providing the page quote above.

* From ''[[Literature/{{Redwall}} The Taggerung]]'', Gruven Zann wants to earn the eponymous title, and tries to justify that claim by boasting that [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt he killed the previous Taggerung]]. This ends up backfiring, as he is surrounded by a tribe of vicious bandits who knew the previous Taggerung and know that there is no way in hell Gruven could have killed him. Gruven ends up getting killed (ironically enough, after they accept his claim as true, then killing him to take the title) by the bandits, who- unlike him- are actually good at fighting.
* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', many young cats claim they want to be leader someday, though most of them are just happy to be warriors when they become older. The most notable example of a cat wishing to become leader is the first series' BigBad: he attempts to secretly kill the Clan leader in order to become leader himself - as second-in-command, he gets the position if she dies.

* In ''Series/{{Justified}}'', Devil is TheDragon to Boyd Crowder. When Boyd goes to prison for assaulting a US Marshall, Devil decides that it is his time to be in charge of the gang. However, Boyd does not plan to be in prison for long and left precise instructions about what is to be done in his absence. Boyd's girlfriend Ava tries to remind Devil of this but Devil refuses to take orders from a woman even if she is speaking for Boyd. Ava refuses to be disrespected and corrects Devil's attitude by hitting him in the face with a frying pan. When Boyd gets out and takes back control of the gang Devil [[spoiler: becomes TheStarscream and tries to take over by killing Boyd]].
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Leverage}}'' Hardison decides that he would like to be in charge of a con for once. He threatens to go on strike if he is not given a chance so the group makes him temporary leader. He approaches the con as if he was designing a video game and has great initial success but ultimately he overcomplicates things and it almost blows up in his face.
* On ''Series/{{MASH}}'', Frank Burns often would covet being the CO, and would thus relish the times when (as 2nd in command) he would be temporarily put into command (his underlings, not so much).
* ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'': In the second season 2 episode, after Rip's disappearance, the Legends are leaderless for the first time and aren't sure who should lead them. When they meet the far more organized [[SuperTeam Justice Society of America]], the JSA leader Hourman immediately assumes that Stein is the leader, being an older white male (this takes place in TheForties). Stein is flattered and initially tries to lead, only to be proven completely useless when tactical decisions are needed to be made on-the-fly. He then declares Sara to be the new leader. Later on, after Rip comes back, he tries to be the captain again, only to realize the team works just fine without him and takes their cues from Sara anyway. He admits that Sara is the true captain and doesn't quite know where he belongs anymore.
* ''Series/OddSquad'': Olive is a downplayed example. While she does have a set goal of becoming an Odd Squad Director, she doesn't try to actively overthrow Ms. O or any other currently-leading Director to achieve it, nor does she proclaim herself to be the leader of Precinct 13579 at any given time, instead proving her worth by being loyal to Odd Squad and working hard. [[spoiler:By the Season 1 finale, her goal is achieved and she becomes co-Director of a nearby precinct along with her partner Otto, taking the place of the previous Director, Orville, who is retiring.]]

* Texas in ''WesternAnimation/{{Motorcity}}'', while not really resentful of Mike Chilton, believes he should be [[TheDitz (or believes he ''is'')]] the leader. This is notable in "Texas-ify It" and "Threat Level: Texas!" the latter being a RecapEpisode in which he claims to have been responsible for several of Mike's accomplishments.

* ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo'': At the start of Season 3, with Chiro missing and Antauri [[spoiler: seemingly dead]], Sprx and Gibson spend quite a bit of time arguing over who is third-in-command and should therefore take over, even to the detriment of their attempts to find Chiro. After everything's over, they ask Antauri to clarify for the record who third-in-command actually is. [[spoiler:It's Nova.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/KidCosmic'' labels himself as the leader of the Local Heroes, and calls the other team members his sidekicks. However, it's demonstrated that while he means well, he lacks the emotional maturity that comes with leadership. When the townsfolk label Kid as the PluckyComicRelief of the team, he becomes incredibly disheartened. [[spoiler:After the TimeSkip, he's matured significantly enough to recognize that Jo, the most emotionally mature and rational person of the team, should be the leader.]]

* Junpei Iori from ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}''. He starts off jealous of the main character for summoning their Persona with no effort, their Wild Card ability no one else has, automatically being elected leader of S.E.E.S., and just generally being better than him at everything. Junpei's CharacterDevelopment involves him moving past his jealousy and accepting that he isn't suited for leadership like the main character is.

* Sten becomes this for a moment in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', when he confronts [[PlayerCharacter the Warden]] before going into the village of Haven and claims he is taking control of the party. He does this because he's of the opinion that [[AntiMutiny you drifted too far away from your original goal of stopping the Blight]]. Dueling (and winning) puts him back on track. Averted if his approval is high enough, however, in which case he will simply state his opinion and leave it at that.
* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam'', it's revealed that Ludwig thinks of himself as the leader of [[SiblingTeam The Koopalings]], when in reality they all consider each other equals.

* From ''[[Literature/{{Redwall}} The Taggerung]]'', Gruven Zann wants to earn the eponymous title, and tries to justify that claim by boasting that [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt he killed the previous Taggerung]]. This ends up backfiring, as he is surrounded by a tribe of vicious bandits who knew the previous Taggerung and know that there is no way in hell Gruven could have killed him. Gruven ends up getting killed by the bandits, who- unlike him- are actually good at fighting.

** Sasuke Uchiha in the latter half of Part II in [[spoiler: If he's not abandoning his teammates for his own goals, proclaiming he'll be Hokage without listening to anyone else, and finally ''panicking'' when Obito tries a TotalPartyKill and decides to abandon everyone else but Naruto and Jugo to sacrifice one of his snakes in the process]]. It becomes abundantly clear the leader role isn't what he's able to do.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': After some early character development, [[TokenEvilTeammate Dinobot]] no longer tries to [[TheStarscream seize leadership by force]] but still desires to command the Maximals whenever [[TheLeader Optimus Primal]] is out of commission. To his dismay, Optimus' appointed [[NumberTwo second-in-command]] is Rattrap, [[SitcomArchNemesis whom Dinobot hates]].

* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': After some early character development, [[TokenEvilTeammate Dinobot]] no longer tries to [[TheStarscream command by force]] but still desires leadership of the Maximals whenever [[TheLeader Optimus Primal]] is out of commission. To his dismay, Optimus' appointed [[NumberTwo second-in-command]] is Rattrap, [[SitcomArchNemesis whom Dinobot hates]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' has Abis Mal, who often plots to become sultan -- apparently just to wear the Sultan's NiceHat.

* ComicBook/{{Iznogoud}} and his "[[CatchPhrase I want to be caliph in the caliph's place!]]"

* In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Goku makes Gohan the leader of Universe 7's team of fighters and he goes about making plans and strategies for the team to use in the Tournament of Power. However, the moment the fights start, Goku, Vegeta, [[spoiler:Frieza]] and the Androids go their own directions, leaving an exasperated Gohan to lead Piccolo, Tien, Krillin and Master Roshi in the main plan.

** In ''Series/TokusouSentaiDekaranger'', Umeko somehow got into her head that she's the team leader, but clearly nobody holds her to that. The one time she did try to act as leader and issue orders, everybody quickly shot them down because they could easily blow their operation.

-->'''Doc:''' No, you're a private who has a dead captain. Last time I checked, that makes you a private.

* In ''Series/{{Justified}}'', Devil is TheDragon to Boyd Crowder. Ehen Boyd goes to prison for assaulting a US Marshall, Devil decides that it is his time to be in charge of the gang. However, Boyd does not plan to be in prison for long and left precise instructions about what is to be done in his absence. Boyd's girlfriend Ava tries to remind Devil of this but Devil refuses to take orders from a woman even if she is speaking for Boyd. Ava refuses to be disrespected and corrects Devil's attitude by hitting him in the face with a frying pan. When Boyd gets out and takes back control of the gang Devil [[spoiler: becomes TheStarscream and tries to take over by killing Boyd]].

* Kid from ''WesternAnimation/KidCosmic'' labels himself as the leader of the Local Heroes, and calls the other team members his sidekicks. However, it's demonstrated that while he means well, he lacks the emotional maturity that comes with leadership. When the townsfolk label Kid as the PluckyComicRelief of the team, he becomes incredibly disheartened. [[spoiler:After the TimeSkip, he's matured significantly enough to recognize that Jo, the most emotionally mature and rational person of the team, should be the leader.]]

** After Harmony and Spike break up, Harm decides to become the leader of a vampire den of her own. Upon hearing about this:

** In Season 7, Buffy gets this from some of the Potentials, notably Kennedy. She ends up being [[AchillesInHisTent temporarily deposed]] in favour of Faith, who didn't actually want the job.