If you are at a social dance, you are expected to actually lead and follow.

Social Dancers must lead and follow because they can not dance every dance with someone who has had the same training as they do.

When a social dancer says he knows a figure, he should know how to lead that figure to any lady who can wait for the music and the lead.

A whole different skill set is required in social dancing.

Very few competitors can actually lead and follow well. (But they do their part of their figures well, espically if they are dancing with their coach.)