Fourteen Brazilian nurses singled out for their leadership skills were asked about their view on leadership issues and about their perceptions of the relationship between nursing and leadership. The analysis of the data provided by the professionals showed that the interviewed leaders had a clear-cut view of these issues and of their important role in the nursing profession. They understood leadership as a group process through which people or behaviors are influenced. Such a process is carried out aiming to reach a goal. They also realized a close relationship between leadership and nursing.