Instructional leaders help shape the trajectory for academic performance in a learning institution. Therefore, this study examined the impact of the onboarding experience of novice instructional leaders. This was addressed through a phenomenological study exploring two research questions: what are the lived experiences of school leaders regarding what it takes to be an effective instructional leader, and what are the lived experiences of novice school leaders in receiving effective training during onboarding to provide effective instructional leadership to teachers to improve student outcomes? The conceptual framework for this study was transformational leadership. To gather data interviews were conducted. To achieve saturation ten participants were interviewed using Zoom. Participants from a Northeastern state were recruited using Facebook. As it pertains to effective instructional leadership, this study yielded key findings relating to the importance of vision setting, reflective practice, data analysis, culturally responsiveness, continuous growth, and the need to address any leadership deficiencies. The implication of these findings is that novice instructional leaders need to understand the vision and goals of the school district to help teachers improve student outcomes and be skilled in collaboration and communication to impart those vision and goals to the teachers. Novice instructional leaders need to be taught reflection practice and instructional coaching in masters' level leadership courses and during onboarding at the school district, improve their skills in technology integration and understanding curriculum development. This study contributes data to the onboarding of novice instructional leaders so they may function as effective principals and vice principals to help teachers improve student outcomes. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]