The most important competence dimensions (groups of behaviours) for leaders in health care are (1) at the first - top leadership level: strategic thinking, openness to change and responsibility; (2) for leaders at the second – middle leadership level: relations with co-workers, animation, resistance to stress; and (3) for leaders at the third leadership level: realisation skills, execution of procedures, communication. Training needs assessments were done for three leadership levels in nursing care.