Portrait of a Leader

Second Edition

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Lead for Learners
June 2, 2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The Portrait of a Leader captures the essential knowledge, skills and mindsets educators need to lead sustainable, learner-centered change within educational systems
  • The second edition includes competency-based progressions that support reflection, growth and continuous learning — designed to enable personalized leadership development
  • Leadership is about everyday actions, not job titles. The Portrait supports systems-level leadership development approaches and individual professional growth for district leaders, principals, instructional coaches, teacher leaders and other instructional leaders

Leadership development for lasting change

Too often, student-centered systems change loses momentum when key individuals leave a school or district. The Portrait of a Leader provides a shared leadership foundation, helping systems build a pipeline of leaders carry the work forward.

Circles with text inside, reading: “Transformation: Inspiring bold action to drive positive, impactful change. Human-Centered Approaches: Centering people and relationships in all decisions. Authenticity: Leading with integrity, purpose and vision. Advocacy: Championing equity, access and opportunities for all. Collaboration: Working together to create systemic, sustainable solutions.”

Practical tools for leadership reflection, goal setting and continuous improvement

The second edition of the Portrait of a Leader includes:

  • A shared vision for leadership development grounded in five core attributes: Human-Centered, Authentic, Collaborative, Advocate and Transformational
  • Clear, observable competencies that can be practiced, developed and measured over time
  • Rubrics to support reflection and map progress across four levels: Establishing, Developing, Proficient and Advanced
  • Tips for reflection, goal setting and collaborative learning
  • Real-world examples of Portrait of a Leader attributes in action

For individual educators, use the Portrait of a Leader to:

  • Identify strengths and areas for growth
  • Set leadership development goals
  • Reflect on decision-making and daily leadership practice

For schools and districts, use Portrait of a Leader to:

  • Inform coaching, mentoring and feedback
  • Strengthen recruitment, onboarding and succession planning
  • Align leadership practices to your vision for personalized, competency-based learning
  • Grow emerging leaders and guide leadership development systems

It's (The Portrait) a critical step toward ensuring that the work we start today continues to serve students for years to come.
Dr. Jeni Gotto, Superintendent Westminster Public Schools, Westminster, Colorado
Lead for Learners Network Steering Committee

Download the Portrait of a Leader

Leadership is about everyday actions, not job titles. Reflect on your leadership practice.

Download PDF

This resource was developed with the Lead for Learners steering committees.

Amy Brennan
Beth Head
Brenda Diaz
Brenda Martin
Briana Morales
Carmen Coleman
Casey Lefler
Christina Guevara
Cory Steiner
Donald Rucker
Heather Madrigal
Hector Estrada
Ian McDougall
Jeni Gotto
Jennifer Echols
Josh Ecker
Kate O’Leary
Kristen Watkins
Laura Jeanne Penrod
Robert Knisely
Scott Bess
Sonn Sam

THE AUTHORS

Laura Hilger
Senior Director of Teaching and Learning
Kyle Anderson, EdD
Director of Policy in Practice
Emily Smith
Senior Director of Network Advancement
Lead for Learners by KnowledgeWorks main logo, navy blue with white letters

Learn and Lead with Other Educators

Lead for Learners is a national network supporting leaders in personalized, competency-based learning. Participate in leadership and learning opportunities and share strategies.
Learn More

What's your leadership superpower?

This short quiz helps you explore which Portrait of a Leader attribute most naturally shows up in your leadership today.

Take Quiz

Leadership for Personalized, Competency-based Learning

Learn more about the creation of the Portrait of a Leader over at FullScale.
Learn More
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The Skills and Mindsets of Transformational Leadership

Behind the collaborative process of the Portrait of a Leader
Learn More

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