The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences, leadership evolution, and decision-making criteria of rural, novice principals in the state of Missouri during the crisis known as COVID-19. Using Bandura's (1977) self-efficacy theory, the researcher examined the participants' perceptions of their leadership growth through the formats of mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological and emotional states. These perceptions were based on leadership growth in their areas of managerial, instructional, innovative, visionary, and relational leadership. Principals in their first 3 years as principal during the onset of school closures in the spring of 2020 were selected for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, participant self-reflections were collected, and district wide archival data were included such as reentry plans, student handbooks, faculty handbooks, and School Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP). [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.]