In the past, management had been done over nurses rather than nursing and this brought the existence of general manager and as a result, nurse-manager's position and role are being threatend. For the up-bringing of nursing to firm professional recognition in the 21st century, it is firmly believed that nursing managers are to be in the position to play the role of general manager with professional qualifications; personal qualities and exact understandings on the role and function of each tier group under her/his management. 124 top(3 nursing superintendents), middle-range(23 supervisors) and unit managers(98 head-nurses) from 3 university hospitals in Seoul were interviewed in order to investigate their belief in the role, professional qualifications, personal qualities as well as the strategy for the development of their leadership qualities. The frame of reference for the interview were developed by the researcher in reference to relevant literatures. It was the common belief that qualifications o[ top-managers and mid-managers require an educational background of master's preparation or higher and clinical career for at least 15 years for top-managers and 5 -10 years for mid-managers. The personal qualities required by nurse managers include; leadership, initiative, judgement, self-confidence, flexibility, open-mindedness and strong motivation. Achievment-orientedness would greatly help them become excellent managers. On the other hand, [or more effective management, managers of each teir group are to fully understand their role and perform "their job responsibilities ie. Top managers are supposed to study with emphasis on organization, function and conceptual s~ill while mid-managers concentrate their effort on the development of skills for direction, guidance and human relationship. Unit managers also supposed to have abilities to manage their function with emphasis on development of clinical performance skill, for direction on operative aspects. The strategies for the development of leadership qualities include program-planning at individual instutional level as well as local, national and international level. Nurse-managers are to be motivated and encouraged to participate in the programs in order to effectively communicate within tier groups.oups.