Influence
How Educational Leaders Transform Thinking to Inspire, Unite and Deliver
Dr Judi Newman
In schools and organisations, leadership isn’t only about position or power, it’s about the capacity to influence thinking, relationships and culture. In Influence, Dr Judi Newman brings together neuroscience, psychology and lived leadership experience to show how that influence can be understood, nurtured and applied in daily practice.
Newman’s perspective is grounded in her work as a principal, coach and researcher. She explores how the brain shapes our capacity to lead, to connect, and to sustain positive change. Rather than offering a checklist of strategies, she invites readers to consider how understanding the brain’s patterns can enhance how we think, behave and inspire others.
The book is structured around three key ideas: the science of leadership, twelve attributes that define influential leaders, and practical ways to embed influence in teams. These sections are supported by real stories from schools and leadership settings, which make the theory relatable and tangible. Each story prompts reflection such as how do my habits, words and reactions influence those around me?
Influence doesn’t preach; it invites curiosity. Newman reminds us that influence begins with self-awareness and extends through the trust we build and the cultures we shape. For educators and organisational leaders alike, this is a book that will encourage you to pause, reflect and adjust the small things that make the biggest difference.
If you’re looking to deepen your impact as a leader, not through authority but through authentic connection and understanding, Influence offers both insight and inspiration.
