There is an urgent need to have leaders who are able to strategically transition society towards

sustainability. Evidence shows that challenges are mounting up and become increasingly

complex. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to educate leaders to become

competent to lead within the sustainability challenge we are facing. This thesis explores how

leadership education can prepare teachers to become leaders to enable Strategic Sustainable

Development (SSD). Based on interviews with ESD experts, the research team identified eight

key competencies for leaders to enable Strategic Sustainable Development and eight

pedagogical approaches to train such competencies. In addition to that, the research team

analyzed how the case study organization Teach for Austria (TFA) integrates the identified key

competencies and pedagogical approaches. Recommendations are provided indicating TFA’s

opportunities regarding a more thorough integration of the key competencies and pedagogical

approaches into their leadership education. These recommendations were then made relevant

to the broader leadership education context to prepare teachers to lead. The main outcomes of

this thesis intend to serve as a guidance to enable leadership the world needs.