I don't think John was as confident as he tried to appear but I agree that John had a grip on the others. Probably a lack of a sense of consequence that made the others step lightly around him……..One 'consequence' from that is that it forced upon Paul the role of 'diplomat'. He became the emollient smoothing out the interviews always aware of how they were coming over.
Confusing though. I don't think he could lead as well as Paul led in the studio………But then I don't think he needed inspiration from collaborating with writing partners the way Paul did after ...