Lead with kindness | Day in the life RCD

Hello RCD reader's, 

​Some days, life just doesn't align. Yesterday was one of those days—the kind where you wake up late, the power goes out right when you need to start your workday, and everything feels like an uphill battle. By the time I headed to the studio to teach my ballet class, I was already feeling off-balance.

​When I arrived, the energy was heavy. My students were little kids, and they were having one of those days where they just didn't dance well. At the same time, my boss made an unnecessary comment, and because I was already feeling frayed from my chaotic morning, I felt the sting of judgment. It reminded me of a separate, ongoing situation I’ve been navigating with a former top student who has become disengaged—a situation that still weighs on me.

​In these moments, it is incredibly easy to lead with frustration. It would have been simple to lash out when the class wasn't performing well, or to take my boss's comment and the struggles with my former student as a personal indictment. But I took a breath. I chose to stay calm, knowing that while I cannot control the atmosphere or the choices of others, I can control my reaction.

​I realized that my role isn't to force change or demand perfection. For my students, it’s about patience. For the people who disappoint me, it’s about offering grace and being a listening ear, knowing they will only remove themselves from difficult situations when they are ready. It is the hardest choice to make, especially when people assume kindness is a weakness or a sign that you are a pushover. But I have learned that leading with kindness is an act of strength. I would rather be disappointed by others' actions than lose my own integrity by leading with fear or harsh judgment.

​Today, I am choosing that same kindness for myself. Instead of beating myself up over the mishaps of yesterday, I am looking forward. I am recalibrating my schedule, focusing on what I can control, and letting go of the rest.

​A Final Thought

​Kindness is not a response to how others treat us; it is a reflection of who we choose to be. When the world feels chaotic, stay grounded in your own grace—it is the most powerful tool you have