在研究领导力理论时，必须意识到领导者的社会化与领导力理论教育之间存在差异。许多成功的领导者都是从实践中获得领导才能的，换句话说，他们从经验中学到了领导才能。领导力和社区教育的概念性应用包括大学领导力教育理论课程，学生组织，实验室实践情况和实际就业情况。在每种领导力和社区教育背景下，学生将学习领导力过程理论，并使用分析和评估技术将这些理论综合到实践中。此上下文应用程序适用于个人与他人合作或影响人们的任何领域。
In studying leadership theory, one must realize that there is a difference between socialization of a leader and leadership theory education. Many successful leaders obtain their leadership skills from practice, in other words, they are socialized into leadership as they have learned from their experiences. The conceptual applications for leadership and community education include collegiate leadership education theory courses, student organizations, laboratory practice situations, and practical employment situations. In each of these leadership and community education contexts, students learn leadership process theories and they use analysis and evaluation techniques to synthesize theories into practice. This contextual application is applicable to any field in which the individual works with or affects people.<br><br>Students graduating with expertise in this area are marketable in the work force. They have careers that include attorneys, community service agents, sales persons, teachers, county Extension faculty, international development specialists, and communication-oriented representatives.