To determine the work habits, reading habits, and educational influences on educational leaders, a survey was made of 75 leaders identified by Phi Delta Kappa (1981), the professional educators' association. Fifty respondents described time spent reading, materials read, size of personal libraries, length of work week, most effective work place, teaching experience, and educational influences on them. Results showed that with regard to the number of hours devoted to reading each week, the responses ranged from 1 to 40 hours, with a mean of 19.5 hours, and a median of 18.5. The number of books read during the month preceding the survey ranged from 1, as indicated by 12 respondents, to 100 books, as reported by one. Thirty of the respondents said they did their reading at home, while 14 said they did their reading in bed. Others read on the bus, at work, and at airports. The number of professional books varied from 10 to 3,000 with a mean of 607, and a median of 308. The estimated amount of time spent working each week varied from 25 hours to 100 hours, with a mean of 62.5 and a median of 60. The preferred location for work activity was the office for 21 respondents, the home for 22, and the library for 6. A considerable number of the respondents mentioned the significance of a mentor's influence. In short, the findings confirmed that success, whether in leadership or in other roles, is largely predicated on hard work. (A list of survey questions is appended.) (HOD)