Add to ORKGThere was a time the school principal\u27s job was clear and relatively simple - not easy, but simple. Everyone understood the role of the principal. That is no longer the case. In today\u27s society, the public education system in America is one that is fraught with dissension, politics and numerous other variables. Leaders and managers in the public sector are under far greater scrutiny than those in the public sector and the school principal is one position that is frequently caught in a maelstrom. This essay will explore the literature to identify the numerous characteristics, knowledge and skills that are linked to an effective principal