Describes the background behind the development of a new leadership self-assessment instrument, the dynamic leader inventory and how the authors were able to confirm much current thinking on "visionary" leadership. They found leadership situations were enormously variable - what was appropriate behaviour in terms of visionary leadership varied from one situation to another, particularly with respect to the leader's influence over others and influence over change. This led to the development of a new model of leadership, the "dynamic" leader which builds on, but goes beyond, the "visionary" model. This development is explained and a framework is outlined, identifying four types of leadership situations. Findings have clear implications for thinking about leadership and for the practice of leadership development.