Some good points there Fitz
A truly sociopathic Fascistic leader should be avoided. But hopefully your group leader is well vetted before assuming leadership.

On UNI Mog Caravans I can imagine serious snipping and whinging due to pure boredom from sitting in a metal box all day. Bike groups have more fun, ride great roads fast and stay more occupied racing each other. In the evenings there are always tales to tell over drinks and recount the day. :

Authoritarian is bad but, IMO, groups do need a strong, smart leader. We may not like our Marine drill sargent either! Leaders can never please everyone every time. What's nearly as bad as a bent leader is a leaderless group. Been there! Not good.

Some personality traits may not appear until STRESS enters the dynamic or someone challenges the leader or some other point of conflict crops up. In this, Fitz has it right. Bail out ASAP.

Group meetings and discussion are important, keeps group on the same page and reasonably happy. Important to air grievances and work things out sooner rather than later. It's called democracy, and unlike internet forums, EVERYONE has an equal voice and the group can DEPOSE the leader at any time. (their choice!)
In rare circumstances we've had riders leave the ride. Usually on good terms.

Our group leader is an impeccable planner, excellent navigator and personally KNOWS the routes by memory. Knows ride times/miles, Motels, knows back roads, dirt roads and alternate routes. 20 years doing California makes this possible. A good leader PRE RIDES the route. Documents everything and shares info with group. MAPS! It's a thankless, unpaid job, getting only the odd pint sent his way.

Nice variety on this dirt/street mix: DR650's, KLR's, R1200GS, 955i Tiger, DRZ400, KTM 990/950, KTM 640, XR650L and a few odd others.