Tennessee Williams once said, “All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness.” This truth is all too familiar. We’ve heard it; we’ve seen it. The world is full of people proudly proclaiming, “I just tell it like it is; that’s just who I am. Sorry if you’re offended. I have boundaries.” But I’m here to push back on that mindset. Just because you have boundaries doesn’t mean you need to abandon compassion. A dog-eat-dog world is not inevitable. We can coexist, disagree, and even clash while remaining respectful. And we must teach our children that it is possible to handle conflict with grace and empathy.

As a teacher working with kids ages 11 to 15, I’ve seen the impact of recent challenges like the pandemic, tech addiction, and social isolation on our young people. Many come into the classroom without the skills to engage in healthy conversations or constructive discourse. They’re hungry for connection but lack the tools to communicate effectively. And while we, as educators, are bound by various constraints, this is one area where we can make a difference. Teaching humanity isn’t a one-time lesson or a checkbox on a curriculum standard. It’s a daily commitment, one that we have to reinforce over and over again if we want it to stick.

Kindness as a leadership strategy is a powerful approach to building stronger, more cohesive teams and fostering a positive school culture. In education, where relationships and collaboration are key to moving the needle on student and teacher attendance and academics, leading with kindness can serve as a catalyst for change.

Leading a school or a team with kindness to build a culture of belonging is like tending to a garden. Each member—teachers, students, staff—is a unique plant in the garden, with different needs for sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. As the leader, your role is the gardener, tending to the growth of the garden daily. If you haven’t tried your hand at gardening, it takes patience and understanding, along with trial and error when battling Oklahoma’s forces of nature! Rather than tossing seeds and hoping for the best; as the gardener, you take the time to nurture each plant, understanding its specific needs, and giving it the right care.

Many think of a kind leader as constantly nodding in agreement, conflict-avoidant, and those who will not rock the boat for everybody’s comfort. Agreeing to go along just to get along is not what kindness in leadership is about—especially transformational leadership. In transformational leadership, the end goal is change (for the better). Kindness in leadership, in this case, is crucial, but it is the willingness to have the tough talks, tackle the teacher silos, and make unpleasing but necessary calls that shape a positive school culture and climate.

Educational leadership is a dynamic and challenging role that requires balancing compassion, effective management, and high standards of professionalism. One critical yet sometimes overlooked attribute of effective leaders is kindness. Ryon (2013) described kindness as a genuine act aimed solely at helping others, rather than fulfilling social expectations. Kindness in leadership doesn’t mean lowering standards or being overly lenient; rather, it involves demonstrating understanding, empathy, and respect while fostering a culture of support and excellence.

The meaning of "kindness" can vary for different people. Personally, I believe that in leadership, being clear is kind. I value transparency and knowing the truth about my work and what’s expected of me now and in the future. In education, leadership goes beyond managing resources and achieving goals. While those are essential tasks, they aren’t what motivates a staff. Instead, leadership is about inspiring educators and students to reach their full potential and pushing them when needed. Leaders—whether principals, department heads, or district administrators—shape the culture of a school or district. Transparency in leadership promotes kindness by clearly communicating goals and expectations. A culture of kindness fosters collaboration, trust, and belonging, which are essential for both teachers and students to thrive.

Today’s lesson: Kindness is more than just a feeling but rather a way of life. Being kind is something we all should do for everybody. We expect it, so if we expect it, we should be offering it to others too, right? What does being kind to another person actually entail? Have you thought about it? If not, why not? Let’s break down what being kind means and discover how simple acts of kindness can start a ripple effect leading to world peace. It starts with you—be kind to yourself, be kind to others, be kind to everything around you. Dive into today’s lesson on turning kindness into a daily practice.

Learning to read and write isn’t just a mental process, but one influenced by students’ feelings, experiences, relationships, and overall well-being. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This takes me back to Maslow's hierarchy of needs—our foundational needs must be met. We must feel safe and know that we belong before we can tackle complex situations, embrace failure, or face fears. It’s essential to know that someone cares about us and that we are in a trusting, safe space to take risks.

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It empowers students to think critically about the information they view and to make informed decisions based on facts rather than opinions or falsehoods.

As traditional television news habits change, social media platforms and online news websites are a primary source of information for many young people. The ability to sift through vast amounts of content, identify reliable sources, and detect bias is crucial. Media literacy not only enhances students' critical thinking skills but also fosters a healthy skepticism toward questionable content.

Erin Patton, a middle level educator, dives into the power of kindness during parent-teacher conferences. She provides insights, tips, tricks, and proactive measures you can take to ensure that conferences are intentional and a positive experience for all.

In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, fostering a positive work environment in schools cannot be overstated. A healthy, supportive workplace for teachers and staff leads to improved well-being, increased productivity, and ultimately a more successful school environment. This positivity will trickle down to students, which is why creating a positive work environment for educators is so crucial. Let’s explore the essential elements that contribute to a positive work culture and how they can transform the dynamics of a school.

As 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.

More than 50% of districts across the country are grappling with significant teaching vacancies, and an alarming 86% of public schools struggle to hire qualified educators. To make matters worse, there has been a 45% decline in enrollment in teacher preparation programs over the last decade, making it increasingly difficult to recruit educators from traditional collegiate pathways.

Given this landscape, we must face the reality that retention is the new recruitment strategy. We need to shift our focus from merely filling vacancies to nurturing an environment where our existing educators feel valued, supported, and empowered.

As educators and leaders, understanding the unique characteristics and needs of Generation Z and Generation Alpha is essential for creating supportive and effective learning and work environments. By embedding kindness into all strategies—whether through digital literacy, social interactions, experiential learning, or community-building activities—we can ensure that these generations not only succeed but do so in a way that promotes empathy, respect, and positive relationships.

The future of education and work will be shaped by these emerging generations. By taking proactive steps today and infusing our actions with kindness, we can ensure that Generation Z and Generation Alpha are not only prepared for the challenges ahead but are also empowered to lead and innovate in ways that will define the future—and do so with a spirit of kindness that will benefit all.

Driving through the open roads and listening to thought-provoking ideas on leadership and culture has reinforced the importance of leading with a "power-with" approach. We have to let go of the outdated "power-over" mentality and embrace leadership that is rooted in collaboration, kindness, and trust.

Incorporating these eight strategies into our leadership practices not only empowers our teams but also elevates our collective success. It's about recognizing that when we lift others up, we lift ourselves as well. The path to effective leadership isn't a solo journey; it's a shared adventure where every member has the power to contribute and grow.

Always remember: leadership is about creating environments where everyone can thrive. Let’s strive to lead together, side by side, lifting each other up.

Researchers estimate that each of us has about 6,000 thoughts per day. From the mundane to intense problem solving, to the inevitable angst of what to have for dinner, we engage in constant internal dialogue. Of those 6,000 thoughts, most are fleeting and rather unimportant. But kindness? Kindness seems to stick with us in such lasting ways.

About a year and a half ago, I was going through some very tough times, which were borne from everything that was the antithesis of kindness. In my search for a bit of happiness and normalcy, I began to really notice those times, and those people, who went out of their way to share something kind about me. These instances not only made me feel good about myself, but they profoundly changed the way I approached others at work, at home, and even out in public. To be certain, it helped me reframe – and to regain control of what I felt I had lost in my struggles.

Over time, those small frustrations evolve into deeper problems. Teachers who feel unsupported may begin to perceive favoritism or bias when they see others recognized or rewarded for similar efforts. Communication breakdowns lead to misunderstandings, which can result in micromanagement or a sense of mistrust. When teachers feel like their autonomy is being restricted, it creates an unhealthy power dynamic that can erode their confidence and sense of agency in the classroom. I asked #teacherthreads what they would put on their school leader “do NOT do” list and some of the stories were horrifying.

If these issues aren’t addressed, they spiral into even more serious concerns. What begins as small lapses in support or communication can escalate into ethical breaches—like public criticism, breaches of confidentiality, or outright favoritism. By this point, the culture of the school itself starts to deteriorate, leading to a toxic work environment where no one feels safe or valued. What started as minor missteps becomes a significant threat to the entire school's morale and climate.

Principals must secure early wins when establishing a positive culture, so that the likelihood of turnover decreases. When there is consistency in the principalship, it produces a greater likelihood for an increase in consistent school culture. If the consistent school culture can be built upon care, positivity, and inclusivity, students and their achievement have a great likelihood to flourish.  Principals are vital to the success of students, schools, and districts. Their recruitment, development, and retention are crucial, given their significant impact on school climate and culture. Recent research suggests that a principal’s role extends far beyond managing personnel and daily operations. Principals establish shared values, norms, and contexts across their schools. When turnover is frequent, the entire school culture can suffer.

Mindfulness in education refers to integrating mindfulness practices—such as deep breathing, guided meditation, and mindful movement—into the school day. These practices help students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the ability to focus on the present moment. The goal is to improve academic performance and foster a more supportive and compassionate school environment.

Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is a cornerstone of effective teaching, particularly for multilingual learners. According to recent research, emotional intelligence, which encompasses empathy, is a key factor in successful leadership and teaching (Wells, 2024). For educators, empathy involves recognizing and responding to the diverse needs and experiences of students who may be navigating complex linguistic and cultural landscapes.

Incorporating empathy into teaching practices helps create a more inclusive and supportive environment – where all students feel safe. Teachers who demonstrate empathy are better able to build trust and rapport with their students, leading to improved engagement and learning outcomes. Students feel seen and heard. By understanding the unique challenges faced by multilingual learners, educators can provide more tailored support, making students feel valued and understood (Feng & Li, 2022).

None of these teachers were yelling. None of them were purposefully being hateful. None of them were planning to come to school, say something unkind, and send a student out of class once they became upset or disrespectful during the student-teacher exchange. Nonetheless, their words cut deeply and damaged the trust that is vital for student success. 

So, how do we find and enhance our kind voice?

After almost three decades in this noble profession of teaching students, coaching teachers, and leading buildings, I believe it comes down to four things: noticing, knowing, practicing, and reflecting. 

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving educational landscape, the role of leadership has taken on new dimensions. The challenges that leaders face today are unlike any that have come before, requiring a dynamic and innovative approach to leadership that goes beyond the traditional methods. As educational institutions grapple with rapid changes in technology, social dynamics, and global interconnectedness, the need for innovative leadership has never been more critical. But what does it mean to be an innovative leader? How can leaders not only manage but thrive in this era of constant change?

Today, we dive into the core principles of innovative leadership, the traits that define successful innovative leaders, and the actionable steps that leaders can take to foster creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement within their teams. By understanding and embracing the concept of innovative leadership, you can position yourself and your institutions for success in a world where adaptability and forward-thinking are the keys to thriving.