Some companies just want the people at the top being leaders. Other companies aren’t so narrow minded, they expect all levels to be able to take a leadership position, where possible. I know which one I’d rather work for.
The thing is, nobody can make you a leader. It’s something you either have, or don’t.
So the company you work for can’t give you permission to be leader. All a company can do is create a culture that makes it easy for you to give yourself permission.
Does it?