A field study was conducted to ascertain how leaders in 3 small rural New Mexico communities viewed the approaches of a community resource development (CRD) specialist during the critical initial phase of the CRD process. A log of approaches was kept by the specialist to record the significant approaches employed and the leader contacts made. Thirty-eight leaders were interviewed to determine opinions about various approaches. Twenty-five leaders approved of a CRD specialist working in the community; 1 did not; and 10 were undecided. Thirty-five leaders stated that the best way for a specialist to meet community leaders was via a face-to-face visit at their place of business. Eighteen wanted the specialist to work with them, while 14 wanted him to serve as an advisor only Twenty-nine thought that the best way for a specialist to get started was to carefully study the community before taking action. While 19 thought a specialist should live in the community, 30 recommended he work from 2 to 4 days a week in the community. It was recommended, therefore, that a new CRD specialist approach community leaders face-to-face; have a pre-talk prepared for the visitation; carefully study the community before attacking a project; and either live in the community or work there several days a week. (Author/JC)