In recent years, social studies educators have given serious attention to the apparent crisis of citizenship and the improvement of civic education in the United States. Insufficient attention, however, has been given to the place of leadership in civic education. Yet, youth leadership is big business in the United States. Each year, over half a million high school students, along with a smaller but growing number of middle school students, participate in programs intended to encourage civic leadership and to develop leadership skills. This digest addresses four questions concerning leadership: How is leadership related to citizenship? What are the essential elements of leadership? What are the competencies of leadership? What is the role of schools in leadership development? A list of references and ERIC resources is included. (Author/DB)