The relevance of the research is due to the public demand for the development of youth leadership programs. Additionally, the leaders themselves express the need to take into account the ideas of the youth about their personal characteristics in order to develop effectively. The objective of the study is to identify characteristics that are signifi cant for a modern youth leader as seen by students themselves depending on their gender and age. Hypothesis: while young women attach more importance to ethic qualities of a youth leader, young men put more value on a leader’s professional qualities; and as students grow older, they are more focused on professional traits of their leader. Participants: students (N = 332) of Saratov universities aged between 18 and 25 (M = 20.4; SD = 1.9), 60.2% of young women. Methods (tools): questionnaire for the analysis of behavior and personal characteristics of youth leaders (I. V. Arendachuk, M. A. Klenova, N. V. Usova), which is based on the constructs of the “I am a leader” test (E. S. Fedorov, O. V. Eremin, in the modifi cation of T. A. Mironova), as well as the results of the research on the personal qualities of youth leaders (I. M. Filippov). Results. Regardless of their gender, students put most value on behavioral activity of their leader. For young women, the leader’s focus on self-development is important, young men attach importance to professional qualities. As young women grow older, these same qualities of a leader increase in importance; and with age, young men put less value on professional qualities of their leader. The main conclusions. Students are more focused on the behavioral activity of their eaders than on personal qualities, however, young women are more demanding of the personality of the leader than young men. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used in psychological and pedagogical work with students to develop their leadership qualities that would allow them to be socially active and create positive changes in society