The guide supports the roll-out of UNDP's 3-year Leadership Development Programme, which is transformational, and contrasts with the prevailing notion that leadership is associated with high-profile public figures who make public speeches and attend high-level meetings. Instead of focusing on improving managerial capacities and styles, the programme includes theories and practices of distinction, leadership conversations for eff ectiveness in businesses and government, emotional intelligence competencies, and cognitive maps for understanding complexities and organizational development.

The guide discusses the programme's conceputal foundations, a detailed description of the programme's objectives, structure and content, and potential applications for the programme.