I think top-down and bottom-up organizing styles create essentially two different, but similar, versions of this particular failure mode.
In top-down there's always the risk of someone coming in and making a long string of bad decisions and essentially wrecking everything by leading everyone on a wild goose chase, while in bottom up the risk is someone obstructing good things happening by either being a drag or exercising whatever veto or FUD power they have (whether designed or organic) to prevent action. This looks less dramatic as it's happening but stagnation is just as powerful a force as havoc in the long run.
There's a really tricky balance to strike somewhere in there.
I like the concept of shepherding, not leading. Being on the sidelines, encouraging people to take the lead, but bring them back on track when necessary.
In top-down there's always the risk of someone coming in and making a long string of bad decisions and essentially wrecking everything by leading everyone on a wild goose chase, while in bottom up the risk is someone obstructing good things happening by either being a drag or exercising whatever veto or FUD power they have (whether designed or organic) to prevent action. This looks less dramatic as it's happening but stagnation is just as powerful a force as havoc in the long run.
There's a really tricky balance to strike somewhere in there.