The concept of leadership is as complex and multifaceted as any we might encounter. One might say that a simple definition of "leader" would be "one who has followers," but does that truly encapsulate all the nuances and characteristics of leadership, especially when it comes to education? In this issue of The Launching Pad, we investigate the term and its many portrayals.

Over the past several weeks, I have had the unmistakable good fortune to engage in fervent discussions about educational leadership with terrific educators from around the country – even some from beyond our borders. [Side note: If you have the chance, and the funding, to attend a national conference – say, ASCD, NAESP, PDK, or NSDC, for example – I would recommend it heartily. What brilliant minds convene, and what terrific ideas surface!] These conversations have provided me opportunities to survey my colleagues about the qualities of leadership (and the strengths of leaders) most beneficial to education, and in particular those that match well with the principalship.

Not surprisingly, common themes have emerged that blend well with current research. Without tipping our hand too much (we do want you to read the rest of this issue, after all), abilities to manage time and prioritize, the strength to take action and to accept responsibility, strengths in interpersonal communication, and that indefinable quality of ‘humanness’ certainly top the charts.

In this issue of The Launching Pad, we’ll take flight in pursuit of these characteristics and more. A brand new principal from New Hampshire shares some of his insights from deep in the trenches of school leadership while battling the bells in “Ticking Clocks and Culture Shock.” Do you know a new school principal? You might like to forward this article - it's always nice to know you're not the only one to experience the strange realities of the principalship!

In addition, I’ve submitted a further examination of leadership dimensions and their role in the principalship in “On Leadership.” We’ve reviewed a key leadership text by examining ASCD’s recent release, Discipline with dignity, which is the 3^rd edition by authors Richard Curwin, Allen Mendler, and Brian Mendler. And, of course, what issue of The Launching Pad would be complete without a profile of the 2008 Outstanding Young Educator Award honoree, Miss Deirdra Grode from Hoboken, New Jersey!

Leadership is a funny thing. What works in one locale might not achieve success in another. Different individuals can realize tremendous results using the same methods that fail miserably for other leaders. Context matters. Culture matters. Clientele matters. There is no foolproof recipe, like mom’s macaroni and cheese, that we can follow uniformly to arrive at identical destinations.

Despair not, fellow educational leaders. The information contained herein will give you a head start when planning your school leadership ventures. And, as always, know thyself – consider your own strengths, tendencies, fears, and goals when preparing to make a difference in the most influential position in education today: the principalship.

Commence liftoff.