Nursing leadership is considered an essential skill for professional practice and necessary to develop from undergraduate training. Objective: to know the perception of the leadership exercised by the nursing professional, from the opinion of graduates of the nursing career and members of the health team. Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research, case study type. Semi-structured interviews and content analysis were applied. Results: the interviewees consider leadership as a tool that contributes to the achievement of collective goals through a process of influence and transformation, the nursing professional develops transformational leadership competencies in undergraduate courses, which are at the service of management and health administration. Power and interpersonal relationships affect the exercise of leadership and the important leadership role that nursing has played during the pandemic is highlighted. Conclusion: The leadership exercised favors teamwork and goal achievement, it being important to promote this training line through the progression of management and leadership skills. Among the challenges are developing new research on leadership and expanding its influence on public policies, as a relevant axis for strengthening the sociopolitical role of the profession.