All cultures need leaders; but how will we produce these new leaders? How will their potential be identified? How will they be trained for leadership positions? These very thoughts prompted the author of the Leadership Development Program to focus her dissertation on these questions. The research that was accomplished for the dissertation provided the background information for the Leadership Development Program.
The first thing that was constructed was the Leadership Skills Inventory Individual Form. This form consists of nine categories:
- Fundamentals of leadership.
- Written communication skills.
- Speech communication skills.
- Character-building skills.
- Decision-making skills.
- Group dynamics.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Personal development.
- Planning skills.

These categories were identified from the prior research. The Leadership Skills Inventory Individual Form is a self-administered, self-scored inventory of personal leadership skills designed for use with individuals across a broad age range. It can be used with students at the upper elementary or secondary levels, as well as individuals at post-secondary levels who aspire to improve their potential for leadership roles. The Leadership Skills Inventory Individual Form is designed to help individuals ascertain their abilities within nine skill areas of leadership.

A manual, The Leadership Development Program, was designed to complement and enhance each of the items on the Leadership Skills Inventory. At least one activity is included for each item on each scale of the instrument. These activities are certainly not all encompassing. Persons using this manual can feel free to supplement, expand, or change any activity based on the needs of the individuals involved in the program. Activities presented in the manual are offered only as suggestions.
The authors have developed activities that should not require commercial materials or elaborate equipment. These activities use simple materials that should be readily available to almost anyone. However, a list of references is included at the end of this manual to allow teachers to see some of the publications available that could be used to enhance and supplement certain activities, even though these materials are not required for the success of the leadership program.