Skills and Practices for Leaders

Routines and business activities get disrupted. Plans and predictions change.

How we respond to these changes - mentally and physically -  can make all the difference. 

On-Demand Skills and Practices for Leaders
These support sessions are brought to you by the United States Agency for International Development as part of a series of videos to introduce mental skills and practices for leaders to stay empowered and effective in the face of disruption and change. 
Dr. Anita Shankar from the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health (Department of International Health) shares skills and practices for leaders to stay empowered and effective through disruption and change.  
ON-DEMAND 
SUPPORT SESSIONS
 

PHASE 1:

KNOW YOURSELF AND YOUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS

[GO TO THE VIDEOS ▶]
In the first half of this year authorities in nearly every country around the world have taken measures to respond to a global pandemic.  The changes to life and work have been swift, bringing with them a set of new mental and physical challenges to families and communities almost everywhere. 


Routines and business activities get disrupted. Plans and predictions change. How individuals and teams respond to these changes - mentally and physically -  can make all the difference as we seek prosperous and sustainable outcomes. 


Every individual has their own unique set of  concerns, but such disruption and change forces every one of us to reconsider our immediate needs and make necessary adjustments for the safety of our households and coworkers. 


During this initial period of reacting and responding to constantly updating information, there are practices you can use to manage stress, confusion and overwhelm - at home in your personal life, and also at work with your teams and colleagues. 


There are many simple and powerful practices that are good for anyone, on any day, and are especially helpful during times of stressful change in your work or personal relationships.

Below are links to three videos to help you in this first phase of responding to disruption and change: PHASE 1 - Knowing Yourself and Your Immediate Needs

  • [1.1] Regain Control with Awareness

  • [1.2] Find Strength With Your Best Qualities

  • [1.3] Perform Better with a Positive Focus

▶ Session 1.1

Learn about the think-feel-do cycle; Practice "breathing for awareness", and listen to a guided meditation. 

▶ Session 1.2

Learn about the physical benefits of positive thoughts when stressed; Practice "Knowing your best qualities".

▶ Session 1.3

Learn about the importance of focus; Practice "Seeing More Good Around You".

PHASE 2:

NORMALIZING AND CONTINUING YOUR GROWTH

[GO TO THE VIDEOS ▶]
After we survive the initial phase of shock (both physically and emotionally), we have an opportunity to examine our attitude and intentions for how we want to live our lives each day. We are still faced with many doubts and worries about the extended disruptions and change to our lives… but our minds and bodies are starting to adjust to this “new normal”.

In these times, it may not feel like it, but we actually have a lot of control over what this “new normal” becomes. We can sink deeper into unhealthy habits and become absorbed by our worries and stress… or we can set intentions for how we want to live.

During this period of adjustment and normalization, we are solidifying new patterns in our minds and physical spaces… we are building new habits and routines that will have a big impact on our minds and physical bodies.

YOU can refocus on how you want to grow, and you can practice being proactive as you continue to manage the stresses of change.
 

It seems small, but shifting our thoughts has immense power to make our current circumstances more bearable and productive. 

To build your control over your “new normal”, we wanted to share some simple and powerful practices that can help you manage prolonged stress and challenges - both at home in your personal life, and also at work with your teams and colleagues:

 

  • [2.1] Be Your Best Self With Intentions

  • [2.2] Taking Steps to Take Care of Ourselves

  • [2.3] Being Proactive to Move Towards Your Goals

▶ Session 2.1

Learn about 'neuroplasticity' and the importance of recognizing your positive qualities and abilities; Practice "Setting Personal Intentions" 

▶ Session 2.2

Learn about the brain-body connection and our tendency to sacrifice our own well being; Practice: “Get Moving and Listening to Your Body "breathing for awareness" ++ Practice: “Creating Growth Steps”

▶ Session 2.3

Learn about how your brain makes decisions; Practice being "Reactive or Proactive"

PHASE 3:

LEADING WITH POSITIVE POWER FOR OTHERS

After covering your own needs and finding growth in your “new normal”, you can now turn to empowering others around you. To improve your leadership skills with others, we wanted to highlight three more simple and powerful practices to help you communicate and connect those around you in your work - and in life:

  • [3.1] Have More Meaningful Conversations with Active Listening

  • [3.2] Lead with a Clear Vision

  • [3.3] Set Smart Goals

▶ Session 3.1

Learn about how communication is more than words; Think about the challenges of communication in a digital age; Practice “Active Listening”

▶ Session 3.2

Learn about the importance of communicating a vision that is important to everyone involved; Write visions for different areas of your life through the practice: “Develop your Visions with a Vision Web” 

▶ Session 3.3

Learn about why we are able to complete some goals we set for ourselves and not others. Learn how to set goals with the components of effective goals; Practice “Setting SMART Goals”
BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE MORE VIDEOS WITH SKILLS AND PRACTICES FOR LEADERS:
The Self-Empowerment and Equity for Change (SEE Change) Initiative conducts international gender-informed research, evidence-based training and support services that help entrepreneurs and employees build positive mental habits, realize their leadership potential, and achieve their personal and professional goals.
These support sessions are brought to you by the United States Agency for International Development as part of a series of videos to introduce mental skills and practices for leaders to stay empowered and effective in the face of disruption and change.