This is a bit of an over-simplification as there are many variables with regard to Leaders, but if you are just starting out, or you'r not big on Leader micro, then this is only the bare basics that you need to worry about.

I only look at 4 things:
CAP, which is how good they are at learning
and INT/WAR/CHA, which if you multiply x2 is the max levels the Leader can earn



So the first thing you do when you get a new Leader is go to the MNG tab, then LEADER tab, and click on their pic to look at them. Note their INT/WAR/CHA and CAP.

For example, I have a Leader named 'Simon White', who has INT 39, WAR 34, CHA 26, and is CAP III.

Convert the INT/WAR/CHA each into a single number - multiply x2 and round to the nearest single digit number. So:
INT 39 x2 = 78 = INT 8
WAR 34 x2 = 68 = WAR 7
CHA 26 x2 = 52 = CHA 5

Next, exit, and at the bottom of the screen you will see a 'Rename' button. Click on that, and after the first name (Simon) type in the 3 numbers. It will look like

Simon 875

Click ok, next after the last name type in the CAP. It will look like:

White III

So the person's name is now:

Simon 875 White III



Also check the age of all the Leaders, if they are older than 60 change their last name to OLD to remind you that Leader is approaching retirement age

so if Simon 875 White III is 62 years old, rename him to:

Simon 875 OLD III



Sometimes you might get an amazing CAP V Leader, like Aaron Sterling who has 61/34/56. In that case, insert a period between numbers to separate them, or make any number above 9 a 9, since anything above 8 is great anyways:

Aaron 12.7.11 Sterling V or Aaron 979 Sterling V



So now when you need to assign a Leader to a position, you will immediately see how useful they are at their job without having to do research.

In addition if you get an event which is going to upset a Leader, you can immediately know whether it matters to you or not

My personal rule of thumb is 6 or higher is acceptable on important skills, any lower and I look to replace them when the opportunity arises.



So what does each position need? Here is the cheat sheet:
X = Important, n = not used

Secretary - USELESS BACKUP ROLLER, no skills needed/used after Leaders filled

Advisor - depends on whom you want to attach them to

Zone Governor - XnX (budget 15 = +1 happy, 75 = +3 happy)

SHQ - nXn
(SHQ can also do Trade Negotiation which means XXn, however WAR is by far most important)

Supreme Command - XXX

Economic Council - Xnn

Military Research - Xnn

Airforce Research - Xnn

Model Design - Xnn

Foreign Affairs - nnX

Staff Council - nXX

Secret Service - nXX

Interior Council - XnX

Applied Science - Xnn

Commanders - nXX

That's it!


Additional Naming Tricks

Add a symbol in front of all your leader names to specify what kind of leader they are before they are assigned to make assigning them easier.

Especially useful if you unlock the debugger and edit your leaders, helps them to stand out in the leader list.

Generic Leader:
-Simon 875 White III

Good Governor:
/Simon 875 White III

Military Leader:
+Simon 875 White III