News of the “great resignation” has sparked a renewed interest in retention strategies across all industries. The impact of this mass exodus has been felt by the human service sector. But let’s face it, this is not a new problem for social service industries. Child welfare, for example, has experienced high turnover, averaging 20-40 percent, … Continue reading Could the “Great Resignation” Transform the Human Service Industry?
I have blogged about the benefits of gratitude before, but since it is National Gratitude Month, I would like to take a deeper dive into the topic. I am sure you have heard that practicing gratitude has a myriad of positive effects. Research has revealed that gratitude benefits us in four spheres of wellbeing. Physically: … Continue reading Practicing Gratitude to Build Emotional Resilience
As the events of 2020 have turned our attention to helping professionals, compassion fatigue awareness is on the rise. In my book, The Compassion Fatigued Organization: Restoring Compassion to Helping Professionals, I examine the mindsets and response patterns that can lead to compassion fatigue in the individual. But compassion fatigue is not just a problem … Continue reading Do Helping Organizations Experience Compassion Fatigue?
I have written before about the many benefits of social connecting. I refer to it as a super resiliency! From a neurological standpoint, we are all wired to connect to both survive and thrive. Connecting to each other improves our physical well-being. We now have much research evidence to show that social connectivity leads to … Continue reading 6 Ways to Practice Social Connecting While Social Distancing
Relationships are a fundamental part of being human. We are wired to connect with each other as a source of both healing and survival. With every relationship, personal or professional, comes the need for boundaries. Boundaries are the invisible lines that keep us physically and emotionally safe while effectively functioning. They govern what we are … Continue reading Boundaries: What are they and why do we need them?
This past month, CNN reported on an Uber internal memo acknowledging that their special investigative unit is beginning to suffer the impact of investigating everything from assaults, threats and other traumatic incidents. In the social service world, we call this “Compassion Fatigue” or secondary traumatic stress. It occurs in high stress occupations that involve exposure … Continue reading Compassion Fatigue is not just a Social Service Problem
I’m not sure who said it first, but I always liked the saying “Never make a permanent decision based on temporary feelings.” This seems like opposite advice to adages like “trust your gut,” or “follow your heart.” I would never suggest ignoring our emotions when it comes to decision making. I do think it is … Continue reading Should I Trust My Gut?
While at the beach the other day, I noticed a young boy trying to move his beach umbrella. As he lifted it from the sand, a gust of wind tuned it inside out. He struggled to close it against the wind for some time. Suddenly, he stopped as if an idea had occurred to him. The … Continue reading 4 Ways to Practice Flexible Thinking When Problem Solving
In a world where we are bombarded with quick bites of information with questionable validity, the need for critical thinking is more important than ever. However, our brain is designed to make quick decisions with a limited amount of information through the processes of assimilation and generalization. This enables us to learn and adapt quicker … Continue reading 7 Ways to Improve Critical Thinking and Challenge Brain Bias
Since researcher Carol Dweck introduced us to the concept of the growth mindset, a lot has been said about its role in achieving success for individuals. The same holds true for organizations. Resilient organizations strive to create a culture that encourages growth and learning. However, organizations are what they do and this is reflected in … Continue reading 6 Habits of Growth Minded Leaders
3 elements for success Both resilient people and resilient organizations are able to plan strategically for the future. However, most of us have experienced a plan that either is abandoned before it is complete, does not achieve the desired outcome or just fails to inspire anyone to do anything differently. These past failures can make … Continue reading The Resilient Strategic Plan
One of the only things I like about winter is that I feel I have more time to read. This year I have been focusing my reading on the growing body of research that helps us understand how we develop, grow and succeed. I especially like books that challenge the way I think about … Continue reading 4 Books That Influenced How I Think About Resiliency
Can the way you are thinking be preventing your organization from thriving? Creating a resilient organization often requires a shift in organizational culture. This involves implementing operationalized values that are adhered to at every level and area of the organization. However, deep and lasting change requires more than just writing new policy and implementing new … Continue reading Resilient Organizations
Can changing the way we think, keep us from being pulled into relationship drama? You might be familiar with the drama triangle (also known as the reenactment triangle) introduced by Dr. Stephen Karpman decades ago. The triangle identifies three roles we take in reenactment (victim, persecutor and rescuer) and is a useful tool for understanding … Continue reading Resilience and the Reenactment Triangle
As thanksgiving approaches, we might take part in the annual tradition of counting our blessings. But did you know that research has shown a link between gratitude and well-being? It is also a great coping skill for dealing with stress, anger, or depression. After all, it’s hard to be stressed and thankful at the same … Continue reading Gratitude as a Resiliency
Learning the principles of brain science and neurodevelopment can inform how we cultivate resiliency. Here are four important things to remember about the brain. Patterned Response: The human brain is composed of over 80 billion neurons. This network of neurons relays messages from one part of the brain to the next. Each time our brain … Continue reading Learning about the Brain
Individuals, families, communities and even organizations are impacted by trauma and adversity. It effects the way we develop and how we respond to stressful situations. But this can be mitigated through resiliency. Resiliency refers to the cognitive, emotional and relational skills needed to face challenges and achieve a growth outcome. To support resiliency in children … Continue reading
