Are there no better alternatives to having 'political leaders' run countries?

It seems that most, if not all political leaders come to power promising a change from the policies and political direction of the political leader and party that they have replaced. And then, when in power, do pretty much what they want. Ignoring pledges and leading populations in directions that they don’t want to go in (such as wars) and then spend the remainder of their terms in office defensively holding on to power. Until they are then replaced by the next leader who is in turn, promising a change! Repeating the whole cycle. Are there really no better ways? Maybe some kind of National Management team or some such. With more immediate and ongoing accountability to the public (stake holders in society).
Are there any examples of this kind of thing having worked well in the past? Or are we stuck with the system that we have? A that system the majority of people don’t engage with.