I could list my theories about the village leaders, but suffice it to say that when one of them dies, they're not always replaced by the next oldest villager in terms of tribe position like the rest of the villagers are. After a point the leader position is filled by a newborn child, and especially at that point do you get to see villagers chatting with and arguing with all the nursing moms in the Town Center nursery! I think the leader starts getting waylaid at adulthood, when (s)he turns 18. Anyway, once the leader is of age, you can't expect them to get much work done whenever you're watching the game!