A successful superintendent must balance the desires of the community, the school board, administrators, school faculty and staff—all while doing what is best for the students. This book, a study based upon the careers of two popular and effective superintendents, explores these intricately related roles, ones which must be played to perfection to be effective. The authors define characteristics of strong leadership—political, educational, and managerial—and discuss the theory implicit in practical decision-making. A highly readable book which offers useful strategies drawn from real-life situations, this is a must-read for any superintendent hoping to improve their effectiveness.