A school improvement process that relies on professionals learning in concert with each other also holds the key to developing the leadership capacity and sustainability that schools and systems so desperately need. Professional learning communities thrive when districts experience consistent leadership across the district, so succession planning and learning community development must go hand-in-hand. There are a number of ways schools and districts can promote leadership development to survive the cultural changes that eventually affect professional learning communities. This article presents five essential strategies that facilitate leadership development when implemented in the context of professional learning communities.