Teachers Corner 209
Then came the editing. I now understand exactly how students feel when they receive work back covered in red pen. It is humbling, uncomfortable and absolutely necessary. At one point, someone told me the book was “beautifully written,” and I immediately passed the credit to Louise, my wonderful editor, who patiently corrected every one of my many mistakes. For anyone thinking of writing a book, let me say this: it is a long, sometimes exhausting process, but it is worth it. Keep going. From Notepad to a Global Conversation On 20 March 2026, Kind Leadership was released. I could never have predicted what happened next. The response has been extraordinary. I have had the privilege of delivering training on kind leadership to schools in Sharjah, UAE, Hong Kong and Winchester, UK. A Multi-Academy Trust in Yorkshire contacted me to run a book club with their leaders, and I am about to begin the same work here in the UAE. Next academic year, we will launch a book club in China. The Women in Education network in Hong Kong recently ran an entire session on the book, attended by eighty people. The book has been in the Amazon top 10 in Teaching categories and is currently sold out in the USA and Australia. The momentum has been overwhelming, in the best possible way.
Being Kind “An outstanding book that has resonated deeply with my experiences over the years. Joanna Povall brilliantly highlights the importance of kindness, empathy, authenticity, and human connection in leadership, qualities that are often overlooked but have the greatest impact on people and culture. The blend of theory, practical application through the CHASE framework, and real-life examples makes this both inspiring and useful. While written from an educational perspective, the lessons apply to leaders in any field. A powerful reminder that kindness is not a weakness in leadership, it is one of its greatest strengths. Highly recommended.” Kelly Al Muhairi Verified Purchase United Arab Emirates 1 June 2026
The Momentum, By the Numbers From a single conference session to a framework spreading across continents 2024
Sold Out in the USA and Australia 2027 launch of the Kind Leadership book club in China
The year the CHASE framework was first scribbled in a notepad 20 March 2026 release date of Kind Leadership
Kind leadership is not about avoiding difficult conversations. It is about having them with honesty, care and courage. My hope is that the CHASE framework helps us recognise kindness as a transformative force, a disciplined practice that creates cultures where people feel able to grow, contribute and shine. And when more leaders choose it, our schools become places where kindness shapes the atmosphere and sets the direction for what is possible. Places where the whole community feels valued, supported, and inspired to give their best.
Why Kindness Is the Discipline Schools Need Now What I have learned is that I was never alone in my experience. Many people have lived through unkind leadership. Many are longing for something different. Schools are facing rising needs, increased scrutiny and relentless recruitment pressures. Leaders are being asked to hold compassion and clarity at the same time, and not everyone manages to do this. When leaders default to fear, control or emotional reactivity instead of kindness, the impact on their teams can be profound. We have all seen it happen. Morale drops, trust erodes, and the culture of the school begins to fracture. The consequences are felt not only by staff, but ultimately by students too. It is in these environments that the absence of kind leadership becomes painfully visible.
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