Former school district superintendent Matthew Wendt has always believed that leading by example is the best approach. The youngest superintendent in Kansas State history, Matthew Wendt is now a foreign principal in Shenzhen, China, where he puts his skills to use to create international partnerships and development. Here are the main qualities that make a great superintendent.

1. Having a clear vision is at the top of the list. Good school district leaders should have the ability to work with school boards to arrive at a cohesive vision. Furthermore, they need the experience and wherewithal to link that vision to clear goals and work toward them.

2. Teaching is at the core of everything that a school leader does. To create the best learning environment, a good leader should be well versed in the best educational methods and practices.

3. As in any other field, communication is key. A school district leader is often called on to mediate all manner of disputes, including sometimes even being the district liaison with the media. Having good written and verbal communication skills is essential for the job.

4. Finally, a good district leader is a good manager. At the end of the day, the job is to use a limited amount of resources in the most efficient way possible.