I’ve been very careful about where and who I work with over my career. I’m sorry you’ve had that experience. There are better places out there with cultures that are excellent fractally (although not homogeneously - all organizations have tails in both directions). If you look up and feel the people above you shouldn’t be there, you’re in the wrong place. If you look up and you see inspiration, then you’re in the right place. The key is as you mature and gain your seniority it’s incumbent on you to be that inspiration, even if you don’t feel like you can be or deserve to be. People can’t see the inside of your soul, or your failings, or your incompetencies - they can only see your actions and your example and your tone. Practice doing those “right,” and your team will emulate and be what you aren’t for you. That’s leadership.