Three Tips to Master Persuasion

Posted on June 9, 2026 Written by

LaRae Quy is a former FBI counterintelligence agent whose job was recruiting foreign spies to work for the US Government. This gave him a unique perspective on leadership, and we’ve posted links to some of his fascinating ideas before, including “the power of curiosity” (December 9, 2026).

Quy believes that influence (rather than authority) is the cornerstone of effective leadership. In this article, he explains that soft influence strategies (such as trust, empathy, and inspirational persuasion) are key to developing ownership, especially in complex situations. In his words, as a leader “you become more inspiring by avoiding drama, consistently connecting people’s work to a meaningful future, living your values openly, and showing genuine belief in the people you lead.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

Three Tragedies of Change

Posted on May 12, 2026 Written by

Certainty can feel safe … but certainty is different from clarity (an awareness that leads to a decision).

In this article from the world of business, Marlene Chism writes about the “fulcrum point” of change, and why transformations often stall out before they even begin. And the core principle that she discusses also applies to leadership in schools.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , ,

Ten Essential Micro-Habits

Posted on April 14, 2026 Written by

This is the time of year when burnout can become a real issue. One way that you and your team can counter this is to develop and implement essential “micro-habits.”

Micro-habits are small, consistent actions that can significantly reduce stress, aid cognitive function, and improve workplace productivity. According to Mary Kelly (author of “Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow”), some of the most effective micro-habits include acknowledging others every day, taking short brain breaks, and using the “two-minute rule” for quick tasks.

Here’s her list of the ten most essential micro-habits. Making these small adjustments should significantly relieve your stress over time, leading to improved performance, better well-being, and greater job satisfaction.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

Powerful Ways to Engage

Posted on March 17, 2026 Written by

We’ve all had to sit through long lectures that were … well, extremely boring! Successful educational leaders should always avoid that public speaking trap. Whether it’s a faculty meeting, a school board meeting, or a presentation to a local stakeholder group, principals must always be able to grab and hold their audience’s attention.

Nationally-recognized speaking coach, Gary Genard, outlines two main strategies for effective presentations: providing a clear road map of your presentation’s content, and addressing the group’s “What’s in it for me?” mindset early on. As the author points out, “”Why would anyone be engaged or excited about your presentation if the two main elements of it have nothing to do with that listener personally?”

(NOTE: This link obviously promotes certain products and services. However, I’m sharing it anyway because the concepts presented in this article are very valid without any need to go further.)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,