Relaxed intensity refers to a professional philosophy, demeanor, and way of life. It is the key to being an effective educational leader. To be successful one must be relaxed, which means managing stress efficiently, having fun, and enjoying work. Intensity allows one to get the job done and accomplish certain tasks or goals. Educational leaders are often perceived as having a great deal of influence and power within their specific arena. The reality is that they only control the structure and culture within their school. The rest is what they inherit or are given through the district's policies and practices. Maintaining a relaxed intensity means focusing on those things over which one has direct influence and sharing authority and accountability with staff members. At Kettering Middle School, educational leaders focus on the three areas that they have direct influence on: their time, their working and learning environment, and their staff members. This article describes how a nontraditional style that focuses on flexible scheduling, professional development, and personnel issues transforms a middle level school.