Leadership in nursing professional governance operates in a significantly different manner than in traditional hierarchical organizational systems. True professionals operate within the context of a practice community that is unique to the accountability of the profession and the social expectations for its practitioners. Professionals in practice have ownership over their practice. This implies authority for making decisions related to that practice that operates in partnership with the management authority extended by the organization/institution. This session explores the notion of partnership-based leadership and the mechanisms of leadership expression that are implied in it. Scenarios and exemplars which clarify this shared decision-making and staff ownership will be used to demonstrate how this partnership operates. Principles of the leadership of the profession will be identified and explored.