Posted January 28, 2026 in Life at Lawrence
To deepen the social-emotional foundation built through our Yale RULER™ program, we recently welcomed Dr. James Knight and Keymasha Knight of Leading with Humility to our Upper Campus.
Over two days, the Knights worked directly with a cohort of middle and high school student leaders, exploring the relational skills needed to lead with empathy, curiosity, and intentionality. Following the workshop, we sat down with our guests to discuss the "hunger" they saw in our students and why student-led humility is the key to a thriving school culture.
Q: Now that you've spent two days with our middle and high schoolers, how do you feel the workshop went?
Keymasha Knight: I thought it went really well. The engagement was so encouraging. To see them recall and connect concepts over a two-day period was a big deal. You could even hear them whispering to one another, helping their peers find the right words—like "impact"—to express themselves with more confidence.
As they got more involved, you saw them "liven up." It was exciting to see them put these concepts to work and begin molding these ideas into a workable, safe, and inclusive space for one another.
Dr. Knight: We visit a lot of schools, and I always look for what differentiates one from another. Here, it was the behavior—the sincerity, the engagement, and the genuineness of everyone from the students to the staff. There is a real hunger among these kids to bring their "best stuff" out and be better for each other.
Q: At the heart of this initiative is the concept of leading with humility. In a sentence or two, how would you describe what it means to lead with humility?
Dr. Knight: It means to be the reason someone else feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, and supported. When you have those things in place, you have the recipe for a winning culture.
Keymasha Knight: It means to be the first one to take the step—to think of someone else before yourself.
Q: Why is it so powerful to have students—rather than just adults—leading these conversations on campus?
Dr. Knight: It’s powerful because kids see the world differently than we do. There is a natural openness when peers speak to peers. Students have more influence on each other than adults do.
We live in a very divided and polarized world. How can we get better if we aren't willing to give kids the space to talk about differences and develop the "muscle" to lean into curiosity rather than fear? When kids catch this message, they aren't just part of the community—they are the future and the change.
Keymasha Knight: We spent a lot of time talking about intent versus impact. In our society, the impact of adult decisions is mostly seen and felt by our children. Giving them the opportunity to weigh in on their own community allows them to determine what kind of impact they want to have on the next generation.
Q: Was there a specific moment during the workshop that stood out to you?
Keymasha Knight: We did an activity where students practiced self-awareness by jotting down their first impulsive thought and then, with guidance, revising it. Talking with the staff afterward, it was amazing to realize that Lawrence was already working on this skill—helping students connect their impulses to the impact of their behavior. We were able to touch 25% of the student body and strengthen a skill the school already values. That gives me a sense of pride, knowing this work will have a lasting effect.
Dr. Knight: I just want students to know they can bring their "authentic" out. That is what makes the world beautiful. We want to build spaces where people can let their brilliance or their "quirkiness" come through without feeling judged or marginalized. Every kid has a seed of leadership inside them. They just need to find their voice and be a light for one another.