The Australian case illustrates how successful leadership is developed over time through a restlessness to improve, networking, choice of career progression, high standards, and a broad understanding of school success. The impact of personal and professional values on principal work and how values support the development of successful schools is explored in the New Zealand case. The Indonesian case provides an example of a ‘cultural outsider’ who has succeeded in creating a successful school, through taking controversial paths to provide local students with a high expectation school environment. The Singapore case shows a reciprocal relationship between the principal and school community in terms of the values that are important to the school and the high level of mutual trust shown.