Contacting no leader for perfecting (6)

I believe the answer is:

honing

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'perfecting' is the definition.
('hone' can be a synonym of 'perfect')

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for honing that I've seen before include "Sharpening on a stone" , "Sharpening, say razor" , "Making sharp" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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