Sometimes Giles believed Buffy was too dependent on her slayer strength. In "Helpless" her slayer powers are temporary removed as part of a test.

Buffy: And you'll be stopping me how?
Giles: By appealing to your common sense, if such a creature exists.

Kendra: We can return to your Watcher for orders.
Buffy: I don't take orders. I do things my way.
Kendra: No wonder you died.

But then Kendra dies at the hands of Drusilla and then Faith comes along.

She knew what her friends were capable of.

Buffy: We're talking about two very powerful witches and a thousand-year-old ex-demon.
Anya: Willow's a demon?

But being a leader was a challenge when the big bad became more dangerous than the previous one.

Buffy: I don't know about you guys, but I've had it with super-strong little women who aren't me.

I almost forgot Nathan Fillion played "Caleb". So different from the role he plays now.