This qualitative study examined the instructional leadership perceptions of four first-year principals. Findings illuminate five themes drawn from the data: definitions of instructional leadership, challenges that first-year principals faced, how these principals addressed these challenges, how the novice principals plan to enact their instructional leadership during the second year on the job, and an unexpected theme--perceived insider advantage. This study contributes to a better understanding of the instructional leadership challenges that first-year principals face, and it highlights implications for preparation programs and district initiatives that might contribute to more effective support to novice principals as they enact instructional leadership.