I'm just starting "The Law of the Few" chapter in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point, and it coincides nicely with the article. Essentially, "connectors," as Gladwell dubs them, have the ability to affect change on people around them by their mood. Studies Gladwell points to actually support the idea, so we as teachers can in fact impact our classes' mood significantly.

This is a great quote. Help yourself! Lead yourself! Then lead others...