If you see a sinking ship, jump on it, because that's where the real opportunities are. It's easy to follow success because it's obvious, but if success is your starting point, it may not be where you can make the biggest difference.
There's no one template for leadership. You have to find your own style. You can be inspired by people you admire, or by people you don't want to be like, but you still have to find your own identity and lead in a way that's authentic to who you are.