Knowledge concerning the leadership work of primary mathematics leaders is rare. The object-motives of three mathematics leaders were explored using interviews and document retrieval as data sources. Using cultural-historical activity theory, five themes about the object-motives that the leaders pursued in their professional learning leadership activity during a mathematics project are provided. This suggests that their professional learning leadership activity was poly-motivated activity that included both leadership and managerial work aspects. This activity was largely mediated through the introduction of cultural tools by mathematics project team staff.