Take a Leadership Role

In my family (originating in my mother's job), the phrase 'take a leadership role' has a very important meaning. If, for instance, the dishwasher was waiting to be emptied, one might be asked to 'take a leadership' role in putting them away. Or, for example, the living room was incredibly messy, one might be expected to just 'take a leadership role' in cleaning up.

What I'm trying to say is that the phrase 'take a leadership role' is code for doing a job that nobody else wants to do. More than that- in calling this thankless chore 'taking a leadership role,' it allows the parental units to mislead their children (or, from whence this phrase came, to allow a boss to fool his worker) into believing that they are Leaders. Because in the end only a young person or a fool allows himself to be manipulated into being in charge of an unpleasant mess.