Leadership and leadership development are popular topics today. Concurrent with the construction of leadership theory, leadership development has emerged as a practice, with programs, consultants, reports, and networking opportunities proliferating. Given the reality of limited resources, it is critical that investments in and approaches to leadership development are built on a foundation of knowledge, curiosity, empathy, and passion for meaningful change that is based on value. Ultimately, leadership development is about getting opportunities and resources to people who can contribute, in inspiring ways, to the success of organizations, communities, fields, nation, world, and species. It is an engaging process that blends both art and science with hope. In this essay the author talks about how leadership development is a way to catalyze personal growth and structural change, through a set of opportunities and challenges, a support system, and enriching companionship. When practiced with care, leadership development and its associated support are the gifts that keep on giving, when ideas and programs fall to the wayside, and the beauty of human dignity is cherished all the more. Appendices include: (1) Frameworks for Reflective Practices; and (2) Key Sources of Power. (Contains 36 endnotes.) [For the supplement report, "A Short Supplement to A Future of Leadership Development," see ED520169.]