Being kind or being nice is a choice, one you will want to make if you strive to create a work culture of belonging, compassionate relationships and team support.

There’s a difference between nice and being kind—even our bodies recognize the distinction. Kindness not only pours a lot of good into the world, but it’s also good for one’s own health.

But real kindness—the kind that matters—shows up even when we’re irritable, overwhelmed, or emotionally maxed out. That doesn’t mean you have to be cheerful all the time.

The Calm, Clear, and Kind (CCK) framework combines decades of research regarding the emotional labor of teaching, SEL, and contemplative approaches to education. The significance of being calm, clear, ...