Purpose: To determine attributing success factors in the professional development of senior-level nonacademic deans or title equivalent at selected colleges and universities in the greater Los Angeles area. Methodology. An open-ended questionnaire was sent out to 17 senior-level student affairs officers (SSAOs) or title equivalent at selected universities and colleges in the greater Los Angeles area. Of the 17 questionnaires sent out, 12 were returned successfully. The returned data were reviewed for successful experiences each participant attributed to his or her success. These attributes were then categorized into similar groups creating the overlying themes. These themes and the attributes defining them are what make up the data from this study. Findings: Five themes emerged from the data: personal life, work relationships, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and decisions and executions. The personal life theme outlines the intricate balance between the demands and pressures associated with the SSAO position and one's own personal life matters. The work relationships theme outlines the importance of establishing, creating, and fostering positive working relationships with others. This includes colleagues, peers, bosses, and subordinates. Personal growth refers to actively searching and participating in opportunities for growth and development outside of one's own responsibilities and duties. The emotional intelligence theme outlines the skills senior-level administrators have developed over time to control their own emotions, recognize and adapt to the emotions of others, and how to remain calm when facing so many difficult situations. The decisions and executions theme references how to make difficult decisions easier. Conclusions: The results showed that leadership development occurs on the job; the lessons associated with development on the job can be identified and defined. Further, each lesson was found not to be predisposed to one theme only, but rather each lesson is a set of skills a leader can call upon to help aid in simple to complex tasks. He or she possesses these tools through his or her own experiences and learns how to deal with specific-to-vague challenges or obstacles along the way. The data found from this study will help to substantiate and expand on the previous findings. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]