Is the male lion the leader?

No. The male lion is not a successful hunter. Female lions are much more successful hunters. The males are wandering, and share meals with any pride that happens to be within their ever-changing territory.

Male lions do hunt, and quite successfully. After being driven from their pride at sexual maturity, young males often form "bachelor" prides. These nomads roam until fully mature, when they can attempt to take over a pride. In the mean time, they must hunt and scavenge what they can to survive. Although not as skilled as the lioness, males can and do hunt. A male driven from his pride by three interlopers was seen to kill topi, wildebeest, and buffalo calves for a period of two years before he left the research area.