One-liner: Describes the background for and methods used in a study carried out to better understand how to develop leaders who possess the operational knowledge and technical skills needed to perform effectively in senior Air Force positions. 450-character abstract: Rand Project Air Force and the Air Force Senior Leader Management Office undertook a study to help improve the development of Air Force senior leaders. This report provides background information to put the methods developed in the study into context and describes how those methods were developed and used to address the need for an improved leadership development program.