Navigating Uncertainty: Resources on Resilience
Since the pandemic we know that mental health has been at the forefront of employee’s minds. Now, with increased global turmoil, it seems that tension may continue to affect our lives and our work. When so many factors and influences are outside of our control, how do we continue to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of a changing world?
In the dynamic landscape of today's professional world, resilience has emerged as a crucial skill, empowering individuals to navigate challenges and bounce back from setbacks. It includes the ability to adapt, learn, and grow in the face of adversity - an essential quality in the supportive workplace we strive to cultivate at VCU. This collection of resources is curated to aid you and your colleagues on the journey to building and sustaining resilience in the workplace.
For Employees
When faced with a world where feelings of uncertainty and tension are increasingly commonplace, how do we equip ourselves to work and live in this environment? These resources can help employees build the skills necessary to navigate changing times with an increased sense of empowerment.
- Article: Tired all the time? Here are the three things draining your energy (Fast Company) VCU's own Dr. Chris Reina provides insight and advice on how to retain more of your energy for the things that matter to you.
- Online Course: Combating burnout with mindfulness (LinkedIn Learning) This training includes practical ways to enact common suggestions such as setting healthy boundaries and taking "me time".
- Podcast: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown - Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing (Brené Brown) In this podcast episode, subject matter experts discuss stress responses to big and small events, and how to heal from these experiences.
For Managers
Managers are tasked with supporting their teams through challenges and uncertainty, while at the same time navigating these difficulties themselves. The following resources share ways that managers can build on their own skills in resilience and leadership to support their teams during periods of heightened stress.
- Article: How to Talk to Your Team About Distressing News Events (Harvard Business Review) This article provides real-world examples of situations where manager action may help employees release tension and feel more comfortable at work.
- Article: 3 Ways To Support Employee Well-Being During Uncertain Times (Forbes) Communication, psychological safety and flexibility help employees build wellness into their workday and recharge when their battery is running low.
- Online Course: Leading in Uncertain Times (LinkedIn Learning) Taking responsibility for leading your team is the first step to helping your team adapt to overcome new challenges.
VCU Resources
Particularly in uncertain times, VCU's health and well-being resources are here to help you learn, heal, work and live.
- Ramstrong is your one-stop-shop for VCU health and well-being resources. Explore resources, upcoming events and past event recordings from the eight dimensions of well-being: physical, emotional, financial, occupational, intellectual, environmental, social and spiritual.
- Having a bad day? Feeling like you would feel better if you were able to have a short conversation with a trained counselor? Try TimelyCare! Services include 24/7 emotional support, scheduled counseling, health coaching and self-care content.
- An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available through all state health plans. Specific benefits vary by health plan, but include up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, grief counseling and legal or financial services.
- Covering a variety of topics, work/life resource playlists available in Talent@VCU are a collection of online videos and short courses to support employee well-being in and out of the workplace.
Immunity to Change
The Immunity to Change™ (ITC) approach is designed to help individuals, teams, and departments make changes that are important to them but have proven resistant even to thoughtful plans and heartfelt intentions. Through this approach, trained facilitators lead individuals and groups through a series of steps unique to the ITC methodology. The methodology is grounded in research from Harvard University, and was originally brought to VCU in 2018 as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE-VCU grant.
For questions or to request services, email Penny McFarline at mcfarlinep@vcu.edu or Dr. Maike Philipsen at miphilip@vcu.edu.
Psychological Safety Course
Psychological safety refers to the belief that it is okay to respectfully express ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes without fear of punishment or ridicule. VCU's Integrity and Compliance office provides training for teams interested in learning more and building the capacity for psychological safety within their group.
For more information or to schedule a session for your team, contact Integrity and Compliance at ucompliance@vcu.edu.