“Holding the Helm in the Heart of the Storm”: Principals’ Metaphors During Wartime

School principals play a pivotal role during wartime crises, balancing educational continuity with policy interpretation and community needs. This study explores how principals articulated their role during the October 7th war crisis through metaphorical language. Based on 36 in-depth interviews with high school principals across Israel, content analysis revealed three themes: principals as anchors of stability (“lighthouse,” “supporting wall,” “home”); as protective mediators articulating and framing policy in humane, clear, and accessible terms (“bridge,” “interpreter,” “protective wall”); and as leaders navigating uncertainty (“storm,” “fog”). The findings highlight metaphors as interpretive resources for sense-making and for articulating emotional and relational dimensions of leadership, underscoring principals’ mediating role during emergencies.