Is Kindness the Key to Effective School Leadership? In Conversation with Joanna Povall

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Educator’s Corner

Kai Vacher

26 episodes

1 week ago

The Educator’s Corner podcast offers engaging conversations with educators from all over the world about the issues, challenges and opportunities we are facing in our schools and our communities. Creating, innovating and redesigning education that prepares our students to be best for the rapidly changing world requires courageous, empathetic and humble leadership. Together we will have conversations where we stay curious for a little longer about what matters in preparing our young people to live fulfilling lives.

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Is Kindness the Key to Effective School Leadership? In Conversation with Joanna Povall

Educator’s Corner

46 minutes 17 seconds

2 months ago

Is Kindness the Key to Effective School Leadership? In Conversation with Joanna Povall

What are the qualities of a good school leader? Many people point to traits like confidence, decisiveness and resilience. But could kindness be the real key to bringing the best out in your team?

In this episode, Kai talks to Joanna Povall, Principal of Wales International School in Abu Dhabi, to explore why kindness is the sharpest tool a leader has.

They discuss:

What it means to lead with kindness
Why being kind isn’t a weakness, but a strength
How compassion helps leaders navigate challenges and bring the best out of their staff
Joanna’s CHASE framework to show kindness as an education leader

In this episode, Kai and Joanna discuss:

02:43 How Princess Diana’s legacy shapes school culture

04:04 Why being kind is an important leadership quality, not a weakness

10:09 Joanna’s CHASE framework for leading with kindness

16:26 Why kindness and accountability go hand in hand

20:14 Words we should avoid as educators

25:56 Tips for keeping ego in check while showing strength

29:07 How “chasing kindness” transforms

34:04 Joanna’s advice to aspiring leaders

About Our Guest

Joanna Povall is the Principal of Wales International School, Abu Dhabi, named in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. A respected international school leader, she is the creator of the CHASE framework for kindness in leadership. Joanna speaks regularly at conferences worldwide and is the author of an upcoming book on leadership and kindness.

Resources

Scott, K. (2017). Radical Candor. St. Martin's Press
Folkman, J. (2022). The Power of Kindness in Leadership. Forbes
Wales International School, Abu Dhabi (@walesinternationalschool6422)

KaiPod News

Enjoyed this episode? Keep the conversation going with KaiPod News — a fortnightly newsletter from Kai Vacher sharing fresh insights, stories, and strategies from education leaders around the world. Subscribe here.

Related episodes of Educator’s Corner:

Episode 18: Connecting with Empathy with Ed Kirwan

Episode 14: Could this be more important than AI? with Leo Thompson

Credits

Hosted by Kai Vacher

A BSM BSS production

Post-production by Communicating for Impact