I think that sounds like an good observation. At first, you have to establish the foundation and ground rules - and fight off all the usual people who try to claim the project for themselves and head it in their own direction. After that is done, and a culture has been established, your own role as a maintainer becomes more contributory than managerial.
Absolutely this, yes. Projects need an initial strong voice to set the voice and direction. Once a community forms around that and starts reinforcing that identity the leaders can move into more of a passive maintainer role.
