This paper reviews the literature associated with outdoor leadership and describes ongoing research about outdoor program directors' hiring preferences when filling outdoor leadership positions. Nineteen articles published in the Journal of Experiential Education, 1983-1996, as well as several book collections of leadership articles, discuss skills and attributes that are requirements for effective outdoor leadership, point out that leadership skills are on a continuum from novice to skilled professional, offer leadership curricula, review research on outdoor leadership, and examine the controversy surrounding the topic of leader certification. The 10 top leadership competencies are listed for each of 6 research projects conducted during 1981-1986. A survey conducted in 1983 revealed a need to examine what is valued or undervalued in the hiring of outdoor leaders. In contrast to previous research that relied on survey questionnaires, this ongoing research project created a forced-choice situation in which outdoor program directors evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of two hypothetical applicants with different backgrounds and qualifications. The directors then indicated whether they would consider hiring either applicant for a position leading groups of adolescents on week-long trips. Contains 15 references. (SV)