Expert organizations employ highly qualified specialists and exhibit features and characteristics that significantly distinguish them from other companies. Therefore, leadership in expert organizations faces special challenges. The current contribution structures the most important characteristics of expert organizations and outlines relevant findings from the scientific literature for leadership. Based on this, case studies from university practice are discussed and potential solutions are pointed out. The contribution concludes with concrete action recommendations for the adaptation of leadership structures, for the training and further education of experts as leaders, and for the selection of experts.