The struggle of high-poverty schools for survival is well docum ented. Some have overcome poverty-related odds and perform ed exceptionally well, prompting the followin g research question: W hat elem ents constitute a profile of effective leadership in high-poverty schools? Investigations conducted at six successful high-poverty schools revealed the contribution of invitational leadership to this success. I look at the personal traits and capabilities of effective leaders in high-poverty schools, as presented in a leadership profile.