"One of the great secrets of leadership is that before one can command the respect and followship of others, she or he must demonstrate devotion to the organization's purpose and commitment to those in the organization who work day by day on the ordinary tasks that are necessary for those purposes to be realized. As Greenleaf (1976) points out, people "will freely respond only to individuals who are chosen as leaders because they are proven and trusted as servants."
(Thomas J. Sergiovanni, The Principalship: A Reflective Practice Perspective).

"A prophet is one who comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. A principal gives courage to and comforts the afflicted-the afflicted sometimes being a very scared beginning teacher, sometimes an old, experienced teacher who is very tired and disappointed. A principal is one who, when necessary, afflicts the comfortable-a complacent teacher, an arrogant pastor, a know-it-all superintendent, an over-satisfied student, a domineering and sensitive parent. Being a prophet is a tough and lonely business. Only the strong should apply." (Sr. Rose Marie Hennessy, O.P. The Principal as Prophet, NCEA, 1983).

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