Servant Leadership and Noon Nopi at School.

Servant leadership in a school environment is about meeting others where they are — not just academically, but emotionally and relationally. This idea is beautifully captured in the Korean phrase “noon nopi,” which means “eye level.” In servant leadership, we practice noon nopi by choosing to lead from beside, not above. Whether you’re a teacher kneeling to speak with a kindergartener or a principal holding space for a struggling staff member, the goal is the same: to see and be seen at eye level, with mutual respect and humanity.

To bring this to life, we can begin with three behavioral shifts:

1. Pause and kneel — literally or emotionally — to meet others at their eye level.

2. Ask before advising — create space for others to express their own needs and ideas.

3. Include before instructing — make room for students and staff to co-create solutions.

   These actions disarm hierarchy and foster belonging. They remind us that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about cultivating connection and shared purpose.

Each shift is rooted in a belief:

1. “People thrive when they feel seen.”

2. “I don’t need to lead from above to lead well.”

3. “Collaboration is more powerful than control.”

   When we lead with noon nopi, servant leadership becomes more than a theory — it becomes a daily practice of humility, presence, and radical respect. And in that space, schools become not just institutions, but communities of care.