Leadership Lessons Learned from Kindergarten
- Jul 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Written by Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director.
Before there were business plans, branding decks, and bottom lines, there were nap mats, lunchboxes, and story time circles. Somewhere between finger painting and building block towers, we were quietly absorbing some of life’s most foundational lessons, not just about learning, but about leading.
Kindergarten was more than a classroom. It was a leadership lab, a place where collaboration, courage, empathy, and accountability were not buzzwords but behaviors. And while the world of leadership may look more complicated today, many of its most essential truths were modeled for us when our feet barely touched the floor during morning meetings.
Let’s return to that colorful classroom and rediscover the timeless leadership gems hidden in plain sight. Because some of the best leaders are the ones who never forget what they learned when life was simple and honest.
1. Pause before you power up
One of the first rules we learned was to wait our turn. Not because our thoughts weren’t valuable, but because everyone’s voice mattered. Today’s best leaders still practice this. They listen with intention, make space for others, and understand that leadership isn’t just about speaking, it's about knowing when not to.
2. Pass the baton, not just the mic
Remember when we all got a chance to be the line leader, the snack helper, or the door holder? Those weren’t just roles, they were invitations to participate. Great leaders understand the power of inclusion and shared opportunity. They don't just delegate, they elevate.
3. Own the oops
In kindergarten, mistakes were met with simple apologies and second chances. But somewhere along the way, grown-ups turned mistakes into shame. Real leadership requires the courage to say, “I got it wrong,” and the humility to grow from it. Integrity doesn’t mean being perfect, it means being honest.
4. Recharge like you mean it
We used to resist nap time like our lives depended on it, only to grow up and wish we could schedule one daily. Kindergarten taught us early that rest is a rhythm, not a reward. Good leaders don’t just protect their own energy, they protect the well-being of their people too.
5. Lead with a linked arm
When we crossed the street, we held hands. Not out of weakness, but out of wisdom. It was about watching out for each other. Real leadership isn’t about walking ahead of people, it’s about walking with them through uncertainty, danger, and change, hand in hand.
6. Celebrate the scribbles
In kindergarten, every child was an artist. Our drawings weren’t critiqued, they were applauded. Leaders today must rediscover that spirit to champion creativity even when it's messy, unfinished, or abstract. Progress isn’t always pretty, but it’s always worthy of celebration.
7. Speak softly, lead loudly
We learned early that shouting didn’t get us heard, it got us in trouble. Leadership isn’t about the volume of your voice, but the value behind it. The most impactful leaders speak calmly, clearly, and compassionately, because real influence whispers before it roars.
8. Show up, tell why
Every week, we brought something special from home and shared it with the class. Not to impress, but to connect. Today’s leaders do the same when they share their "why," their purpose, their passion, their personal stories. When people know your why, they’re more willing to follow your way.
9. Grab the mop, not the microphone
When blocks spilled or paint splattered, we were taught to clean it up ourselves. The same principle applies in leadership: responsibility is not optional. When leaders model accountability, it creates a culture of ownership. Great leaders don’t delegate the mess, they step into it and make it right.
10. Front of the line, heart of the team
To a kindergartener, being the line leader was a big deal. It wasn’t about being better, it was about showing the way. That’s what leadership really is, not racing to the front, but setting a steady pace so others feel empowered to follow. It’s about leading with heart, not ego.
Final bell: The leadership wisdom we left behind
We’ve spent years trying to master leadership through books, seminars, and titles. But maybe the most profound lessons were taught to us on carpet squares by teachers who knew that kindness, courage, and fairness were the bedrock of every strong community.
So here’s your invitation: Return to the basics. Keep the crayons close. Lead with laughter. Share your snack. Say thank you. Take your turn. And above all, remember that the best kind of leadership doesn’t always start at the head of the table. It often starts at a tiny desk with big dreams.
Because the truth is, we didn’t just learn how to count in kindergarten.
We learned how to matter.
Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director. A noted speaker, researcher, and full professor, he has lent his speaking talent to many community and educational forums, serving as a keynote speaker. He has also penned several publications tackling issues in civic service, faith, leadership, and education.
