Last school year, the MCPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) launched a new professional development series for supervisors on Caring for Yourself While Leading Others.

• • Session #1 (December) focused on strategies to prioritize leader well-being while navigating work-life demands. 

  • Session #2 (January) focused on tools for leaders to cultivate psychological safety for their teams and worksites. 

  • Session #3 (March) focused on communicating non-defensively with colleagues and supervisees. 

There were twenty-two attendees for the three sessions and we received nine anonymous survey responses, which are summarized below:

• 100% agreed or strongly agreed that "this presentation was meaningful to my work and/or life."

• 100% agreed or strongly agreed that "the objectives of the presentation were met."

• 100% strongly agreed that "the overall quality of this presentation was excellent and highly engaging."

• 100% strongly agreed that "I highly recommend MCPS continue to offer this presentation."

According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is defined as, “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

As a leader, you face demands, challenges and setbacks, sometimes one right after another. 

It is important to engage in resilience-oriented mindsets and practices to endure these inevitable challenges and lead your staff through any storms. Below are important components for fostering resilience and questions to assess where your resilience skills are as a leader:

• Engagement in support seeking: Who are the ones you can call on when you need an outlet or advice? Do you allow yourself to share with others how you are doing and engage in a dialogue that allows you to receive support?

• Belief in self: Do you have the mindset that you can move through the current challenge? Where is your self-efficacy and what affirmations can you focus on that bolster your self-efficacy? 

• Be solution-focused: What action steps can be taken in the current adversity? How can you move your energy toward solutions and action?

• Psychological flexibility: Do you embrace learning and growth? Can you pivot? 

• Routines: What routines are in place that allow you predictability in the current uncertainty or challenge? Are you able to add more stability in your work routines or routines before and after work? This dependability and focus on routine allows your brain a sigh of relief.

• Self-compassion: Are you being kind to yourself? Are you open to being understanding and loving toward yourself?

Consider these options as food for thought as you face your next challenge as a leader. The questions posed with each item can be used to bring awareness and reflection to how you are operating as a leader. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many more practices and tools one can utilize to bolster their resilience in leadership. If you need support in being a resilient leader through adversity, please reach out to the EAP for coaching. We can provide support in identifying an individualized plan for you and your specific circumstances.

The information below can be shared with your staff to support their well-being and help increase awareness about the no-cost, confidential, and voluntary services available from the EAP.  

Upcoming EAP Workshops and Webinars

The EAP Calendar on the MCPS website lists upcoming workshops and webinars available to employees that can be shared with your staff.