This book presents a comprehensive case study of the professional life of a fictional school principal. Based entirely on case-study methodology, all the episodes discussed in the book depict actual events in everyday education leadership practice and represent a real-life education leadership experience through episodic progression. The case study is intended to prepare effective education leaders, to assure practitioners that they are not alone, and to provide readers with insight into the leadership challenges faced by school principals. The text addresses seven objectives: (1) place those interested in school leadership in a hypothetical principalship by drawing them into a leadership and management role; (2) provide a way for readers to avoid the inclination to think about school-management issues solely in terms of their own situations; (3) examine how effective management enhances school leadership; (4) demonstrate that effective school leaders manage the meaning of schooling; (5) demonstrate that effective school leaders manage attention and trust; (6) illustrate behaviors that will help future readers understand how important it is for leaders to be good actors in difficult roles; and (7) introduce and define a new theory of leadership called "aggregate impression" leadership. The episodes in the book include discussion questions intended to evoke study and analysis, and to encourage multiple perspectives. (RJM)