School principals have unique identities that influence capacity to manage change. This New Zealand study explores professional identity in educational leadership and addresses a lesser researched area of identity transformation in longer-serving principals. Principals were asked how they perceived themselves as changing or changed as they led their schools through complex change processes. This article references the insights and perceptions of the most experienced of the participating principals. Findings suggest that longer-serving principals continue to transform their professional identities as they manage emotions, make decisions, access professional learning and interact with others.