The Leadership skills approach takes into account the knowledge and abilities that the leader has. A leader can learn certain skills and turn himself into a remarkable one.

Researchers have studied leadership skills and abilities for a number of years. However, there are two influential models. The first one is a model proposed by Robert Katz in 1955. The second approach is proposed by Michael Mumford and colleagues in the year 2000. These models can be seen as complimentary to each other, since they offer different views on leadership from the skills point of view.

This is a first approach to conceptualize and create a structure of the process of leadership around skills. The model describes leadership in terms of skills and therefore makes leadership available to everyone. This model provides an expansive view of leadership that incorporates wide variety of components (i.e., problem-solving skills, social judgment skills) and a structure consistent with leadership education programs.