Think of it less as choosing to direct and think more of it as taking on the burden of responsibility. For example, if I were your supervisor and you were part of my team, ultimately the responsibility from the decisions that are made to the results that follow fall on my shoulders. I am there to insulate you not only from the challenge of making the hard decisions, but also any negative fallout that might follow. Conversely, if we succeed, it's not because of anything I did, but what we did together.I refuse to take leadership roles, and think much less of anyone who does. There is something inherently untrustworthy to me about choosing to direct rather than do, and I find it hard to respect anyone who makes a habit of it or takes a position where it's a permanent thing.