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SamTastic Weekly Tip: 4/13/26 - The Secret to a Truly Productive Workplace is Trust.

  • Writer: Jim Mercer
    Jim Mercer
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

The secret to a truly productive workplace, according to Arianna Huffington, is trust.

 

“When we get feedback from someone we trust, we know our best interests are at heart. We can see that the feedback isn’t some kind of personal attack, it’s actually a kind of support because it’s offered in the spirit of helping us improve. Without an atmosphere of trust, feedback can be a catalyst for stress and self-doubt.”

 

Huffington has some specific pointers:

 

  • Give one piece of constructive feedback and let it stand on its own. “Don’t undermine your message by padding it with irrelevant positive statements,” she says.

  • Don’t let stress or being in a hurry get in the way of compassion and empathy.

  • When you notice a problem, find a way to surface it immediately.

  • Consider the other person’s perspective. Before a face-to-face meeting, ask yourself, “Where is this person coming from? What are key motivations and priorities?

  • When you receive constructive feedback, write it down and come back to it later. This allows you to get past your immediate emotional reaction and see if it’s on target.

  • Shift a digital exchange into a face-to-face conversation. This is much more likely to build trust and camaraderie.

  • “Once a day, have a conversation where you mostly listen,” says Huffington. “Don’t underestimate the power of your silence. Instead of giving your opinion or changing the subject, invite the other person to go deeper.”

 

Here’s a link to the complete article: https://nyti.ms/2vm1PBf

It is budget time in most schools and districts.  Be sure to include your SAM services for the 2026-27 school year.  You can request an early invoice now by using this link: https://bit.ly/40GtA33  

 

Consider budgeting for the 20th Annual National SAM Conference, too.  The conference provides an opportunity to learn from SAM teams across the US and an amazing array of national and international speakers, authors and thought leaders in leadership, education, and psychology.


20th Annual National SAM Conference announcement video: https://www.wevideo.com/view/4003300281 

 

What does a SAM conference look like?  https://bit.ly/4cxGEw7

 
 
 

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