Hebrews 13:15-25 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

There is an apparent conflict in the people receiving this letter that they often did not heed their leaders, or followed the wrong ones. Based on the Scripture we covered last week as well as what we have studied this week, the issue is made fairly prominent.

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
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Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
-Hebrews 13:7, 17

As we know from other letters in the New Testament, there was a huge push for people to follow the right people. All in all, it could be a good trend, but the right people was not defined by biblical accuracy but by popularity. The people were being contended for by the biggest voices out there. They first had to measure that their leaders were worthy by the outcome of their way of life. Then they were to imitate their faith. In that effort, they are to obey their leaders.
 
It is an interesting note to leaders and to followers alike. The leaders have a responsibility to watch out for the souls of those that are entrusted to them. To the Lord they will give an account. It is necessary that the leaders recognize this and uphold such a responsibility. As they do, the follower has a responsibility to heed the direction of those leaders. The instruction is simple, though it may not be easy. It is to obey and submit. Additionally, following should take place in such obedience unto the Lord that the leaders are not grieved by them. Many turn and walk their own way. Others obey with grumbling and complaining. We see such models in Scripture, and it is never praised. What is praised is those who are faithful, and so faithfulness is the focus for such an audience as this.

What lesson do you see for the original audience?