When put this way, it reminds me how Apple generally chooses to add features to the iPhone. They wait for use cases to be proven, usually by Samsung, and then add a very polished version to the phone.
And Java is similar nowadays
Arguably the entire app eco system exists only to farm features. This is arguably the case whenever users are allowed to create things.
Go get a pro subscription with each of your competitors :)
- They draft behind others, and I mean this in a good way. They seem to eschew trailblazing new features, but keep a close eye on alternatives (esp. Postgres) and how use cases are emerging. When a sufficiently interesting concept has stabilized, they bring it to SQLite.
- Closely related to this, they seem to stay clear of technical and community distractions. They have their plans and execute.
- I don't know if D. Richard Hipp is considered a BDFL, but that's my impression and he seems good at it.