How to lead

I had an interesting discussion with my assistant principal last night about why I don't want to be a principal. I've been having this conversation with a lot of people lately and it's making me think. The question that it raises in my mind is about the fact that I do want to be a leader in education. Principal is the obvious next step for a teacher who wants to lead, but it's a step that I don't think is right for me right now-- and that is frankly odd, because despite whatever delusions I was operating under during OMET, I do want to be a leader, and want to help education move in the right direction, and help teachers teach in ways that their kids will learn more powerfully.

So where does that leave me? I can lead indirectly by writing, which is what this blog and my website and articles that I'm writing are geared toward. I was talking a bit about this the other day with my sherpa/ guide/ mentor who asked me what the next step for me is after teaching, and I'm still not quite clear on the answer, especially if there is a step while I'm still working on my doctorate. So that begs the questions, how do I lead, if I remain so steadfastly opposed to becoming a principal?