Throughout Pennsylvania, rural residents have taken on leadership roles to support and promote their communities and their residents. The challenges these leaders face continue to become more complex, as economic, political, social, cultural and even global forces influence local events. This research was conducted to understand how a sample of rural residents assumed their leadership roles and how they developed their skills to address the ever increasing challenges that impact their communities. To conduct the study, the researchers first reviewed literature on the general models and principles of leadership. Next, they conducted in-depth interviews with rural leaders from across the state. The interview questions, both structured and unstructured, focused on the respondent's leadership skills and skill sets, career background, and leadership experiences. The researchers also conducted a focus group with six emerging rural leaders who were participating in a county-wide, state-sponsored leadership program. The researchers used the results of the literature review, the interviews and the focus group to: document the skills and personal attributes needed to be effective rural leaders; emphasize the role formal and informal training and education play in the development of rural leaders; and identify program considerations related to rural leadership development in Pennsylvania. According to the research results, rural leaders see a clear need for improved training and educational opportunities to learn the skills and tasks specific to their position, which included budgeting, decision-making, conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, and community building. (Contains 2 figures.)