As a noun, a project is an individual or collaborative enterprise carefully planned and designed to achieve a particular aim.
As a verb, it is described as estimating or forecasting something on the basis of present trends, the force of moving something forward or outward.
As an enterprise that must be carefully planned and designed, leaders need to give serious thought to the project if they hope to achieve the aim.
As an activity, leaders must be the force that influences others in a way that moves them forward and outward.
Leaders who provide this kind of influence will always provide an example worth following.