If Liam Neeson survives he automatically becomes the leader!

it is my basic thought that there is initially two leaders and then eventually one. One, whole assumes at the beginning or immdediate given command b/c of age, rank, clothing, position. The other leader based on recognizable and usable experience. It is who the rest naturally drift too that the one leader emerges. Though as a group of individuals becomes a team, then you find the leader whomever that becomes initially leans on experience anyway.

Aussie, you make a good point. I think a person already in a "societal leadership role" would be deferred to. I personally think every one who has a "voice" would and maybe even should voice their ideas and thoughts. I would want that myself. Two brains or more are most of the time better than one. In the movie it was clear that Liam was the leader because of his prior position. But in real life, I would wonder what the real life situations and results have happened before.

A book comes to mind "Lord of the Flies" where a group of boys form factions and leaders. It's a very good book. This issue of leadership might even merit a seperate post/topic.