The Lazy Gardeners Way - Pile a bunch of leaves in a big pile, wait 2 years, turning the pile when you can. BOOM. Compost.
2. The Impatient Gardeners Way - Pile a bunch of shredded leaves in a big pile in the shade, keep the pile moist, turn the pile several times over the winter if you can. In the spring you should have a nice heap of organic compost at the bottom of this pile all ready to use. Your neighbors will call you a rock star.