While many factors influence the success rate of schools, none are more influential than the impact of effective local school leadership by way of a principal. Socio-Cultural Leadership suggests many aspects that impact effective school leadership; however none are more substantial than the following tenets of Socio-Cultural Leadership: As the instructional leader, the principal must supervise and evaluate instruction to make sure that students are given optimal learning opportunities. As the emotional leader, the principal must ensure that teachers are intellectually equipped, emotionally stimulated, and encouraged to assume decision-making positions of leadership in schools to increase student achievement. As a community leader, the principal must inspire and/or provide incentives for student-centered communal learning. As the facilitator of culture, the principal must also realize the limitations of leadership on student achievement and begin to shape and reshape school culture. Socio-Cultural Leadership is the result of a four-year-long immersion into school improvement efforts from around the world, not to mention my own experiences as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, district trainer, director of school improvement, and adjunct professor.