Education

Skill Builder
7 Books to Sharpen Your Critical Thinking

Discover a curated selection of seven books designed to sharpen your thinking, challenge hidden biases, and improve everyday decision-making. From uncovering blind spots to evaluating evidence, these titles help you cultivate a more analytical mindset.

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 7 Books to Sharpen Your Critical Thinking
How to get your attention span back

Our modern environment overflows with alerts, messages, and daily interruptions. This article explores why attention spans have become so fragile and offers step-by-step strategies for minimizing distractions, retraining your brain, and boosting your productivity.

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 How to get your attention span back
Asking Eric: A friend of a friend rubs me the wrong way. Should I trust my instincts?

Whether it’s a new acquaintance or a distant colleague, we sometimes get an immediate uneasy feeling about people. Advice columnist R. Eric Thomas suggests it’s valid to trust these instincts and reminds us that acknowledging discomfort can protect our well-being.

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Applications now open for the ASA – Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders Program

Applications are now open for a leadership development program designed to empower passionate soybean growers. Sponsored by ASA and Corteva Agriscience, this opportunity connects participants with industry leaders to bolster their skills and expand their professional networks.

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 Applications now open for the ASA – Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders Program
Students at York University camp learn how President Eisenhower led with humility

Students at a special York University camp are exploring the leadership lessons of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, with a focus on his underappreciated trait of humility. Through classes with distinguished professors, talks from guest speakers, and field trips to top historical sites, participants come away equipped with new insights into service-oriented leadership.

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 Students at York University camp learn how President Eisenhower led with humility
The new rules of leadership start with emotional intelligence

In an age of rapid change and mounting workplace challenges, emotional intelligence has become a cornerstone of effective leadership. By fostering empathy, authentic trust, and open collaboration, leaders can build stronger teams and drive sustainable success.

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 The new rules of leadership start with emotional intelligence
U of I Extension 4-H Youth participating in Public Speaking Contest

Eleven 4-H youth from four counties demonstrated remarkable public speaking prowess at Kaskaskia College. Their achievements led to State Fair selections and division honors in the U of I Extension contest.

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 U of I Extension 4-H Youth participating in Public Speaking Contest
The leadership skill no one teaches

It’s no secret that action usually gets the spotlight in leadership. But this account explores why restraint can sometimes be the most powerful move a leader makes—and how history and philosophy support the idea that waiting is not weakness.

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 The leadership skill no one teaches
Wish you were funnier? These great L.A. improv classes will have you saying, ‘yes, and’

Whether boosting your communication skills or exploring a new hobby, drop-in improv classes in Los Angeles can help you embrace spontaneity in a fun, supportive environment. These beginner-friendly sessions welcome anyone eager to learn, experiment, and laugh.

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The Speech Every Team Needs After a Loss

When a team stumbles, the immediate response can shape its future more than the stumble itself. This article delves into leadership insights on how a simple speech can guide a group forward and away from blame.

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 The Speech Every Team Needs After a Loss
How to stop procrastinating with just one word

Procrastination, according to bestselling author Jon Acuff, is the gap between who you are and who you want to be. In his book “Procrastination Proof: Never Get Stuck Again,” he explains how discipline, desire, and a singular concept—permission—can help people close that gap once and for all.

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 How to stop procrastinating with just one word
Hurtgen: Be the friend you wish others were

A deadly Chicago heat wave threw the issue of loneliness into sharp relief. By taking initiative, forgiving quickly, and sharing simple activities, people can rediscover the significance of forming meaningful bonds.

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 Hurtgen: Be the friend you wish others were
7 words and phrases that undermine your authority

Do you know which words are sabotaging your authority every time you speak? Discover how small linguistic tweaks—like removing “just” and “only”—can boost your credibility and help you project leadership.

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 7 words and phrases that undermine your authority
Napa Rainbow Girls program empowers young women

Napa’s Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls empowers young women to develop leadership, confidence, and enduring friendships. Through community service and mentorship, these future leaders gain essential skills that extend well beyond their youth.

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 Napa Rainbow Girls program empowers young women
GCHS FFA

At Greensburg Community High School, the local FFA chapter is fueling one student’s passion for agriculture. According to member Madelyn Bedel, the organization has given her both a stronger sense of self-confidence and a broader view of future possibilities.

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 GCHS FFA
MLK Jr. Awardee Raj Mukherjee’s Peace Education Program

Dr. Debraj “Raj” Mukherjee, a neuro-oncosurgeon at Hopkins, has dedicated himself not only to medical excellence but also to fostering community through the Peace Education Program. Recently honored with the 2025 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, he continues his mission to bring hope and wellness to Baltimore and beyond.

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 MLK Jr. Awardee Raj Mukherjee’s Peace Education Program
Your Relationships Can Be Better, And It Starts With You

A new resource from Xulon Press focuses on strategies for improving personal relationships through emotional intelligence. By teaching readers to recognize and manage emotions, the publication aims to transform how we connect with those around us.

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 Your Relationships Can Be Better, And It Starts With You
5 Soft Skills that Set Exceptional Leaders Apart

Artificial intelligence increasingly handles many tasks, but there are certain human traits it cannot replace. Leaders who want to stay ahead need to nurture these distinctly human qualities to thrive in a rapidly changing business environment.

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 5 Soft Skills that Set Exceptional Leaders Apart
I Once Landed for a Business Meeting Already Exhausted and Knew I’d Made a Mistake

After one exhausting arrival for a business meeting, the author realized that proper rest and planning are critical. This anecdote underscores that the trip itself is just the journey; true success hinges on how you show up once you land.

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 I Once Landed for a Business Meeting Already Exhausted and Knew I’d Made a Mistake
Does Gen Z need ‘resilience training’?

A new wave of corporate “resilience training” aims to prepare fresh-faced Gen Z graduates for modern professional life. But some critics point out that even the most well-intentioned courses cannot overcome enduring workplace stressors and a lack of supportive management.

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 Does Gen Z need ‘resilience training’?
Leadership SWFL looks for region’s future

A new leadership program is set to welcome applications from Southwest Florida’s rising talents, offering fresh educational opportunities in Port Charlotte. Leadership SWFL aims to shape tomorrow’s influencers by focusing on the region’s brightest minds and giving them the tools to succeed.

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 Leadership SWFL looks for region’s future
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