This article stems from a 2016 research project that examined the leadership experiences of 20 primary principals in greater Christchurch. The study was based on the belief that the nature of successful leadership needs to change in a post-disaster setting. The article focuses on what principals learned about leadership from these experiences, highlighting the stories of four participants. The findings indicate that successful school leadership in a crisis context relies on making good use of support networks and collaborative professional relationships, maintaining a strong link to one's core beliefs, being fully aware of the impact of your leadership, and responding accurately and with agility to constant change.