Several first-time player questions.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Sorry about my lack of clarity, but I meant your leader's effect on the Empire overall - ones faction leader's traits and abilities don't have any effect beyond where he is standing and what he is currently doing. Quite simply, he's a normal general with the trait "Faction Leader" stuck to him. It was a shame that this feature was removed in the transit between M:TW and R:TW since it most certainly made family affairs seem more integrated.

As you have said though, the trait "Faction Leader" itself, is rather useful to its holder, and additional traits can be gained by performing certain actions around your empire as a whole.