The first part of the guide offers a conceptual framework for leadership development. It goes into the questioon of leaders and culture; leadership, power and authority; leadership and capacity development; and leadership attributes and skills.

Next the guide looks at leadership development programmes, starting from the entry points for introducing leadership support, and moving on to discuss needs assessments and the notion of process consultation.

The third section of the guide is very practice-oriented and offer seven principles to guide the design of any leadership development programme. These different principles are:
1. the human rights-based approach guides leadership development
2. development is developmental
3. think systemically
4. think resource allocation
5. think sustainability
6. promote learning-by-doing
7. nurture conversations

The last two sections of the guide go into implications for UNDP programme management and the question of monitoring and evaluation.