This paper indicates the importance of interpersonal skills for the preschool teacher, explores the role of the preschool teacher as a leader, and provides guidelines for assessing teacher competency and developing more effective teachers. Concepts associated with effective leadership as well as specific teacher tasks that require leadership qualities are identified. Leadership is said to be a necessary dimension of each of the teacher's several roles, whether instructional, relational or decision-making. In the context of relational and decision making roles, working with parents, managing volunteers, assessment and evaluation are discussed. Also included are guidelines describing desirable teacher competencies in five areas: child development, classroom management, interpersonal relations, personal competence and program design. (Author/RH)