The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how rural K-12 leaders in Utah describe their leadership practices. The theoretical framework was based on Robert Greenleaf's Servant Leadership Theory. This study explored three research questions pertaining to: How Rural K-12 leadership practices were described, challenges that arose, and how these practices reflected servant leadership. The sample for this study included 14, K-12 leaders in a rural school district in Utah. Convenience sampling was used and participants for the study were recruited via university and district approval. The first data source for the study included semi-structured individual interviews, comprised of 14 participants. The second data source for the study included two member-checking focus groups comprised of five participants in the first group and four participants in the second group. Data analysis of these sources was inductive and included thematic analysis with a developed codebook. The findings of the study revealed six themes that contributed to the understanding of how rural K-12 leaders describe their leadership practices. The six themes included the description of effective practices and interpersonal skills, required additional responsibilities coupled with communication and closeness issues, and that leaders provide extra services within the school and community as well as empathy and guided support. The results show that rural K-12 leaders exhibit specific practices that enhance the success of their leadership. The results also indicate that rural K-12 leaders experience similar and specific challenges. Finally, the results of the study denote that rural K-12 leadership practices are reflective of Servant Leadership. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]