This work was awarded the 2005 Science Prize by the Plansecur Foundation. What understanding of leadership do German top managers have? What fundamental success factors lead to the upper echelons of the largest German companies? Members of the German economic elite outline a multifaceted, multidimensional picture of leadership in guided interviews. They document this through very personal accounts from their professional and private lives. A clear identity profile and the authentic embodiment of values are the key building blocks of modern leadership competence. Such representative leadership is gaining increasing importance in the 21st century. Based on the findings, a model for analyzing and shaping leadership cultures in organizations is presented.