Human resource leadership is all about providing a satisfying and quality-oriented work environment. Providing this environment incorporates the three essential components of leadership: technical, human, and conceptual. Technical aspects are management tasks such as enforcing policy and demonstrating efficient use of fiscal resources. Human aspects stress the importance of working conditions, job satisfaction, and providing the necessary support for employees to excel.

Conceptual aspects include building vision, shaping attitudes and norms, and finding new ways to achieve both individual and organizational goals. Generally, the agreed upon goals of human resource leadership are to attract, develop, retain, and motivate personnel in order to achieve the organization's purpose. Central to goal achievement are clearly defined vision and mission statements, humanistic leadership, and an on-going evaluation system. Vision and mission provide the overall direction and foundation for goal development.

Evaluation then becomes the process by which leaders can investigate the effectiveness of knowledge-in-action and determine the degree to which goals are fulfilled. Leaders view evaluation as the foundation for continuous improvement.