Leading with Compassion Through Crisis: A Conversation with Elaine Robinson

In this moving and deeply human conversation, Jean welcomes  Elaine Robinson, Principal of Sir Manasseh Meyer International School in Singapore. With over 25 years in education, Elaine has led schools across the UK and internationally with vision, courage, and compassion.

Elaine shares openly about her leadership journey, from navigating the complexities of leading a school community through COVID-19 to facing her own profound personal loss while continuing to lead with authenticity, grace, and care.

Together, Jean and Elaine explore what it truly means to be a compassionate leader  - one who holds space for both accountability and humanity, structure and softness, courage and vulnerability.

In This Episode

You’ll hear about:

• The power of compassionate leadership and how it transforms school cultures.
• How to hold people accountable with kindness and clarity.
• The importance of creating safe and bold spaces for teachers, students, and staff to bring their whole selves to work.
• The role of community and teamwork in sustaining leadership through challenge.
• Elaine’s deeply personal story of leading through her husband’s illness and loss, and what it taught her about resilience, faith, and compassion for self.

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