At the executive level, where systemic decisions ripple across schools, staff, and students, wise compassion is a leadership necessity. When embedded in the relational fabric of educational leadership, it fosters psychological safety, enhances performance, strengthens culture, and drives values-aligned change. 

Traditionally, the image of a leader has centered around a strong, unwavering figure, leading their team from the front, trailblazing the way through uncharted territory to guide and instruct their followers through challenges towards a target destination. More recently, other analogies paint a slightly different picture of leadership including but not limited to: leading from the back like a shepherd guiding the flock; the bridge builder – who connects people, ideas and opportunities; the firefighter – a crisis orientated leader, thriving under pressure and solving problems; and the chess master – a strategic leader planning ahead.