Effective school management requires managers who succeed in carrying out the organizational goals of their schools, utilizing the following leadership skills: planning (deciding how to accomplish the organization's goals); organizing (doing the necessary preparation); staffing (filling positions with the right people); directing (motivating staff so that goals are achieved); controlling (guiding the organization in the proper direction); and decision making (which underlies everything the manager accomplishes). The competent principal chooses a time frame that fits the planning agenda, and develops strategies to monitor progress. Meetings should be well-planned, and time management strategies should be applied in order to achieve appropriate delegation of tasks. Leadership is a basic part of management, and loyalty and respect are gained through merit. Four attributes of a successful school principal are intelligence, expression and image, leadership and management ability, and "guts." (MD)