Leading with Kindness: Transforming Education Through RIDICULOUSLY Amazing School Culture
TRACEY SMITH, AUTHOR & ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALAs educators, we face a growing number of challenges—academic gaps, mental health concerns, and the ever-changing needs of our students. In the midst of these demands, one approach to leadership is gaining momentum: leading with kindness. But what does it really mean to lead with kindness? And more importantly, how can embracing this philosophy transform our schools into thriving communities of growth and learning?
The Power of Kindness in Leadership
When I first stepped into a leadership role, I used to think that kindness might be seen as a weakness. After all, leadership has traditionally been associated with strength, decisiveness, and sometimes, tough love. But I’ve come to realize that kindness is, in fact, one of the most powerful tools a leader can use. It’s not about being overly “nice” or avoiding difficult conversations. It’s about building a culture of empathy, understanding, and respect that touches every aspect of school life.
Here’s what I’ve learned about leading with kindness:
Empathetic Communication: It's about truly listening—really hearing the voices around you and making others feel understood before seeking to be understood yourself.
Inclusive Decision-Making: Bringing everyone into the conversation, from students to staff, creates a sense of ownership and belonging.
Fostering Growth Mindsets: It’s about encouraging students and teachers alike to see challenges as opportunities to grow, rather than obstacles to fear.
Celebrating Diversity: Every person in our school brings something unique to the table, and by embracing that, we create a richer, more vibrant community.
Building RIDICULOUSLY Amazing School Cultures
I know firsthand that creating a school culture that’s not just good, but truly RIDICULOUSLY amazing, takes effort and intention. It’s about more than academic success—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. That’s why we wrote RIDICULOUSLY Amazing Schools. We wanted to share the simple, yet powerful ideas that can transform a school culture and support the "whole" teacher. Because let’s be honest: education is only as good as the teacher standing in front of the class, and our teachers deserve so much more.
Here’s what I believe RIDICULOUSLY Amazing Schools need to thrive:
Assume High Intent. We must believe in our colleagues, ourselves, and the future of our school and children. When we do this, we compel each other to greatness and empower each other to be great with the students. Leaders who practice and cultivate environments that practice radical empathy go beyond surface-level understanding. They immerse themselves in the experiences of each other, seeking to truly comprehend the challenges and aspirations of each individual. This deep understanding forms the foundation for meaningful support.
Same Boat, Same Direction, With the Current. As an educator, do you ever feel like you are in a boat all by yourself? You look around and all your colleagues are in their own boats, and everyone is rowing in different directions. It often feels like you are paddling upstream, against the current. What if we all paddled together, in the same direction. What if we all knew where we were going? It is critical that we have clarity of purpose. We need to have a common understanding of what the “Win” is. With that we can work with confidence, we can innovate, and we can learn and grow together because we have common ground.
Conflict is a Part of Becoming Great. Going through conflict is a primary source of trust in an organization. The key to ensuing constant growth is a mindset that understands conflict and challenge, which, when effectively executed, is a sign of true health and vitality within an organization. Education is a complex ecosystem. Educators are passionate people and passion can often create conflict. If we can create an environment of constructive discourse, we foster great relationships and stimulate innovation and creativity.
My Responsibility is Bigger Than my Classroom. The greatest thing we may do any given day is make a colleague great. It is not a zero-sum game. By making one colleague or one child better, we all get better. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats. How are we working together to “own” our schools, each other and the students that come in every day?
See and Compel Greatness. Every day, a thousand acts of greatness take place in a school. We must build the discipline to see what is working, to shine the light on the great stuff, and to use that as the starting point for growth. Kind leaders prioritize building intentional relationships. They understand that strong, positive relationships are the bedrock of a thriving school community.
Create a Catching Culture. Educators need to feel part of a team that has their back. We need to create a culture that “catches” each other in support. We all need to feel supported and part of a caring community. Kind leaders are not afraid to show their human side. By being open about their own challenges and learning experiences, they create a safe space for others to do the same, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience.
Expand the Joy. Education is hard! Teaching is hard! There is a lot of seriousness, drama and intensity. Teachers and staff who are unable to find joy at work will wither and eventually lost their sense of purpose. We cannot afford to lose our spirit of play; we just need to think about how it looks in a professional setting. We need to create the energy and enthusiasm that makes education fun and creates an environment that students want to come to. This energy is essential to fantastic education.
Where to Begin
So, where do we start? Cultivating a kindness-centered leadership model doesn’t happen overnight, but here are a few practical steps that have worked for me:
Start with Self-Reflection: Take the time to reflect on your own biases, communication styles, and areas for growth. This is something I do regularly, and it has helped me form deeper, more authentic connections with my staff and students.
Provide Professional Development on Emotional Intelligence: Invest in programs that help your staff develop skills in empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. When people understand themselves and each other better, amazing things happen.
Create Feedback Loops: Regular feedback, both formal and informal, is key. It’s not just about collecting feedback but also about acting on it and showing your school community that their voices matter.
Model Kindness in All Interactions: Every conversation is an opportunity to build a relationship. Whether it’s a passing hello in the hallway or a tough discussion in the office, how we show up as leaders sets the tone for the whole school.
Celebrate Your Staff in Front of the Students: One of my favorite things to do is publicly acknowledge my staff in front of the students. It’s a powerful way to show appreciation and remind everyone that we’re in this together.
Overcoming Challenges in Kind Leadership
Of course, leading with kindness comes with its own set of challenges. Resistance to change, time constraints, and the balance between kindness and accountability can all be hurdles. But I’ve learned that patience, consistency, and leading by example can move mountains. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with small, steady steps, you can begin to shift mindsets.
The Future of Education: RIDICULOUSLY Amazing Schools
The journey to creating RIDICULOUSLY Amazing Schools through kind leadership is ongoing. It requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to challenge traditional notions of authority and success. However, the potential rewards - in terms of student achievement, staff satisfaction, and overall community well-being - are immeasurable.
As educators and leaders, we have the power to shape the future by shaping the environments in which our staff and students learn and grow. By embracing kindness as a cornerstone of our leadership philosophy, we can create schools that are not just good, not just great, but truly RIDICULOUSLY amazing.
TRACEY SMITH
Tracey Smith is the proud Principal of Kelly Mill Elementary in Forsyth County, Georgia. She is currently in her 27th year as an educator and her 16th as an elementary principal. Tracey believes in supporting teachers so they can be their best, which in turn helps students thrive.
Tracey resides in Cumming, GA with her husband, Jeff. They have two daughters—Jordan is a freshman at the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) and Josie is a freshman in high school. Tracey is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of her staff, students, and the school community.
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Tracey Smith & Jeff Waller co-authored RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING SCHOOLS!
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