The SchoolsCompared.com Interview. ‘Bob Dylan, The Future of Education and Not Trading Away Kindness for Cynicism.’ Dr Saima Rana On The Record.

~

“Inflection Points, Cynicism and Kindness”

~

SchoolsCompared.com: Many say that being kind is the most important quality in life. Others say that the end justifies the means and kindness can be traded away. Who is right?

Dr Saima Rana, CEO/Principal, GEMS World Academy; Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education; and, Chief Education Ambassador, The Varkey Foundation:

Choosing kindness over Machiavellian cynicism isn’t just a matter of rational consideration – it’s an emotional decision that speaks to the core of who we are as human beings. Imagine a world where every interaction is tainted with manipulation, where trust is a rare commodity, and where everyone is driven solely by their own interests. It’s a world that feels cold, calculated, and devoid of genuine connections. Is that the world we want to live in? Kindness, on the other hand, offers warmth, compassion, and a sense of shared humanity. It’s about seeing the person behind the actions, understanding their emotions, and reaching out with empathy. When we choose kindness, we contribute to a web of positivity that extends far beyond ourselves.

Think about the satisfaction that comes from helping someone, from knowing that your actions have eased someone else’s burden. It’s a feeling that fills your heart and lifts your spirit. Machiavellian tactics might promise short-lived victories, but they can never replicate the profound fulfilment that kindness brings. Consider the impact of your choices on relationships. Kindness builds bridges that withstand challenges and stand the test of time. It creates bonds based on trust, respect, and mutual support. In contrast, Machiavellian manipulation shatters trust, leaving behind a trail of broken connections and missed opportunities for genuine connection. That is a very hollow and meaningless world. It repulses me.

We all want to leave a positive mark on the world – a legacy that goes beyond personal achievements. Kindness is the path to that legacy. It’s about creating a ripple effect of goodness that influences lives for generations to come. Can you imagine the stories people will tell about your kindness, the way you made them feel seen and valued? Let’s not underestimate the toll that cynicism takes on our own well-being. The constant need to strategise and manipulate can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness. Kindness, on the other hand, is a balm for the soul. It reduces stress, brings joy, and nurtures our emotional health. Ultimately, choosing kindness isn’t just a rational decision – it’s a heartfelt commitment to a better world. It’s an affirmation that human connections, empathy, and genuine concern matter.

I often ask people when they thank me to pass the kindness on when they are able to. I call it the ‘Chain of Kindness’ so whenever an act of kindness is appreciated, then the recipient of the kindness must pass the kindness on to two people when they are in a position to do so, and then when they are thanked, they must ask the two people to do the same thing. This way the ‘Chain of Kindness’ is a never-ending chain.

SchoolsCompared.com: Can you give me an example of something that has happened to you that changed you fundamentally – and which you have then taken into your life to guide you in leading GEMS?

Dr Saima Rana, CEO/Principal, GEMS World Academy; Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education; and, Chief Education Ambassador, The Varkey Foundation:

I don’t think there’s any one thing that changed me fundamentally – in fact I think it’s healthier to see people as being made up out of hundreds and thousands of factors each of which influences you in ways that might not even be noticed at the time – or ever. You can’t ignore your childhood, the places you’ve lived in and others you’ve visited and people you’ve met, the books, films, music, all the experiences we all go through. It’s impossible to say which was the decisive one – probably because there isn’t a decisive one. It’s an accumulation of factors. And of course, it’s not just good and happy things that influence – bad things and heartbreaks are equally important in bringing about life changes, as we all know. Having said that, I do think that I have been influenced by several personal relationships I have been lucky enough to have with people who have shown me that barriers can be overcome, whose tenacious belief in values of charity, kindness, bravery, respect, and grit have made deep impressions on me. I’ve travelled and seen children in need of schools where there aren’t any and that kind of experience combined with lots of other things helped me see clearly what I wanted to do with my life. I also value humour and fun. I think growing up, and even now, I encounter people with a joyful spirit, and they’ve always attracted me because I think such an attitude – one that says life is worth living – gives you a sense of strength to fight for what you think is worthwhile, no matter how difficult the challenges. I think other people have changed my life – especially people with a fierce sense of caring for others, and, often, a great sense of humour. I think humour is about seeing how ridiculous we can be – including ourselves – and so deflates arrogance and egotism.

SchoolsCompared.com: What did you not have the opportunity to learn in school, that you wish you had, and that your GEMS students do have today?

Dr Saima Rana, CEO/Principal, GEMS World Academy; Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education; and, Chief Education Ambassador, The Varkey Foundation:

I liked my school and actually a lot of the things I did at school are things we do here at GEMS, but obviously times have changed and so schools have to keep up. I think the breadth of the curriculum offer, the emphasis of student choice, the emphasis on academic excellence coupled with equally attending to educating emotions, educating the sense of awe and wonder, of educating the body so it’s healthy, these are all key to what we do at GEMS, with great encouragement to ensure that every student is able to plan their future destinations when they finish school. I wish, perhaps, I had been given better career guidance – one that is driven by high expectations and aspiration – because perhaps that was one area where in my own school I didn’t really know what I could become nor what I needed to achieve in school to get there. I think on top of the great curriculum that we offer at GEMS is a great network of aspirational destinations for our students and great guidance throughout the school so that students and their families can choose what they want to do next and where to go. Many families don’t have access to such a network, and I think this is something that I would have benefited from. Having said that, I was able to cultivate a great work ethic, a sense of resilience, emotional intelligence and values from my school experience and know that these have been crucial to everything I have done subsequently. In fact, I’d say that I loved being in classrooms as a student and still do as a teacher. I think they are the best places in the world.  

Return to contents page: click here.

NEXT Chapter: The Arts and Making a Better World