ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the characteristics and practices of competent and ethical leaders in the counseling profession. Leadership research has pursued the age-old question as to whether leaders are born or made, a quest followed by scholars in the counseling profession as well. The authors highlight seminal and current studies on the attributes of counseling professional association leaders and how they have developed over time. Many of these individuals never saw themselves as leaders earlier in their career; rather, their potential was realized through a service orientation, seizing opportunities, and encouragement by personal and professional supports. The CSI Principles and Practices of Leadership Excellence codifies the characteristics and ethical best practices of effective leaders in counseling. In this chapter, the authors detail the ten principles and practices, providing brief case examples of each.
