Records managers are constantly faced with the challenge to perform in environments where their profession and responsibilities are not understood and often not appreciated. The keys to success include three vital factors: leadership, motivation, and career planning. Records managers must first lead and motivate their personnel to perform daily records management tasks with high quality. Leadership and motivation does not stop there, however, but extends also to gaining the commitment and participation of top management and other staff to the records management program. Success does not happen naturally. The successful records manager exercises leadership and motivation within a careful career plan. This presentation will examine key elements of leadership, motivation, and career planning designed to strengthen records managers in their daily efforts.