Leading by Example in a Complex World

At Blackheath High, we believe that leadership is not just a title, it's a mindset, a skillset, and above all, a practice. We are committed to nurturing not only academic excellence but also the leadership potential of every student. Through our enrichment programme, we equip our students with what we call PowerSkills - the essential tools they need to navigate the world beyond school with confidence, empathy, and integrity. 

In our Sixth Form, this commitment is further deepened through the GDST LEAD programme, delivered in partnership with the London School of Economics. This initiative offers our students the opportunity to explore leadership through a global lens, engaging with real-world challenges and learning from inspiring role models across the business sector. 

My recent classroom discussions have highlighted just how relevant and necessary these skills are. In my Civil Discourse enrichment lessons, for example, Year 7 students have been grappling with the complexities of global leadership styles. From the dramatic shifts in international diplomacy to the nuances of civil discourse, they are learning that leadership is as much about how we communicate as what we say. One particularly powerful case study has been the Oval Office exchange between President Zelensky and former President Trump. While the content of the conversation is significant, my Year 7 students have been more intrigued by the style of communication: interruptions, tone, body language, and the unspoken power dynamics at play. These observations have sparked rich discussions about empathy, respect and the importance of listening; the skills that are central to our Power Skills enrichment programme.  

We have also been exploring alternative models of leadership, such as that exemplified by Jacinda Ardern. Her memoir, ‘A Different Kind of Power’, has become a springboard for conversations about compassionate leadership. Ardern’s ability to lead with clarity, humility and emotional intelligence challenges the outdated notion that strength lies in dominance. Instead, she shows us that empathy can be a powerful force for unity and progress. 

This message resonates deeply within our school community. Whether in student council meetings, peer mentoring sessions, or classroom debates, our students are learning that leadership is not about speaking the loudest but about creating space for others to be heard. It’s about understanding before being understood, and about modelling the kind of respectful, inclusive dialogue that builds trust and drives change.  

Ardern’s opening dedication: “to the criers, worriers, and huggers” encapsulates her distinctive approach to leadership, one that embraces what it means to be truly human. In a world that often equates leadership with stoicism and detachment, her words are a powerful reminder that vulnerability, empathy and emotional intelligence are not liabilities but can be strengths. At Blackheath High, we are proud to teach our girls that it’s okay to care deeply, to feel strongly, and to express themselves authentically. By celebrating the “criers, worriers, and huggers,” we affirm that leadership comes in many forms. It can be quiet and reflective, warm and inclusive, or bold and visionary. What matters most is that it is grounded in integrity and guided by a desire to make a positive difference. 

As teachers, we strive to lead by example. Every interaction, whether with students, colleagues, or parents, is an opportunity to model the values we hope to instil. By championing empathy, active listening, and open-mindedness, we are not only shaping a positive school culture but also preparing our girls to lead with purpose in a polarised world. 

In a time when the global stage is often dominated by combative and performative leadership, our students are learning to chart a different course, one defined by integrity, compassion, and the courage to lead with heart.