Superficially, sorry leadership hurts spirits (6)
I believe the answer is:
sylphs
This clue could be a double definition.
'superficially sorry leadership hurts' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'spirits' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sylphs that I've seen before include "Slim women" , "Spirits of the air" .)