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Wellbeing Centered Leadership: Techniques to Create a Thriving Organization

Sun, October 27, 9:00 to 10:30, Shaw Centre, Meeting Room 206

Session Submission Type: Workshop

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Short Description

Leadership is an art and science. The leadership concepts of positive psychology and emotional intelligence combined with the application of wellness dimensions, leaders can help create a thriving organization. Participants in this interactive workshop will learn about a balanced wellness model, practice techniques for well-being centered leadership, and create an intentional well-being plan for personal and professional results.

Detailed Abstract

Leaders today are challenged with the many aspects of personal and professional life often leading with a stress filled imbalance in life. (Mayer, C., Tonelli, L., Oosthuizen, R. M., & Surtee, S (2018). The constant striving and stress can lead to physical and mental health problems. (Hargrove, M. B., Quick, J. C. , Nelson, D. L., & Quick, J. D. , 2011) Many organizations are beginning to include programs on mindfulness training and wellness coaching to their leadership teams (Stringer, L. 2016). The problem is the leadership literature is only building on the importance of mindfulness skills. While this is an important wellness tool, it omits all components of the six dimensions of wellness (intellectual, social, physical, emotional, spiritual, and occupational). (Hettler, 1980; Hettler, 1984) There appears to be a lack of alignment on a whole-person model for wellness and wellbeing.
Early leadership books such as I Dare You by William Danforth (1931) presented the whole person balanced approach to being a successful leader in life. The balance model was physical (body), mental (mind), social (relationships), and spiritual (the soul). Danforth developed his perspective as the founder of the Ralston Purina Company. The model suggested setting goals for success through balancing wellness in various dimensions across professional and personal life contexts.
Years later, the health promotion researchers explored the ways to achieve excellence and work engagement. Hettler’s model of consists of six dimensions: intellectual, social, physical, emotional, spiritual and occupational. (Hettler, 1984; Afsar, B. , & Badir, Y. (March 06, 2017); du Plessis, M. & Boshoff, A. (2018). The National Wellness Institute is the primary professional organization moving forward the importance of worksite wellness and Hettler’s wellness model. There are ways to use the literature of wellness models to increase well-being of leaders. (Horton, B. & Snyder, C. 2009) Understanding the dimensions of wellness, learning techniques, and creating a path to wellness can reduce stress in leaders. Increased well-being and wellness will strengthen the ability to lead. (Hettler, 1980; Myers, J. E., Luecht, R. M. & Sweeney, T.J. 2017; Jay, K. & Andersen, L. L. 2018; Els, D. A. & De, R. R. P. , 2006, Goleman, 2008; Goleman, 2013)
When a well –being centered leader is intentional of demonstrating the wellness wheel construct they begin to create the organizational environment where individuals can also focus on their overall well-being. This session will provide leadership tips based upon the work of Daniel Pink (2009) on motivation and drive, emotional intelligence from Daniel Goleman (2013) , positive psychology from Martin Seligman (2012) and the latest research from the Center for Creative Leadership on the necessary skills for leading in an ever changing environment. The mindfulness and emotional intelligence of the leader is critical in building the culture for a thriving organization of employees focused on their own well-being.
The design of the session was created through creating intersections between flow and positive psychology, leadership constructs, worksite wellness, and the wellness wheel the foundational concept of whole person wellness. The activities are from various integrative medical professionals such as Dr. Andrew Weil who created the Integrative Medical Department at University of Arizona.
Using lecture, audio visual materials, and hands on practice, this session will explore the six dimensions of Hettler’s wellness model (physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, and occupational), well-being centered leadership (mindfulness, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and wellness dimensions) discuss strategies to increase wellness in these dimensions, leadership practices (creating a well-being centered organizational culture) , and provide hands on activities for personal wellness planning. The workshop will include hands on participation in mindfulness breathing techniques, simple yoga poses, exploration of phone apps for wellbeing (such as Calm, Scientific 7, ReWi, My Fitness Pal, Gottman’s Card Deck, 5 Love) Participants will evaluate their current wellness dimensions, practice 2-3 techniques to increase mindfulness, learn well-being centered leadership actions, and create a wellness action plan.
Objective: The objective of this session is to understand the intersection of wellness dimensions and leadership concepts to empower individuals and organization to thrive.
At the end of this session,
Participants will be able to describe multidimensional wellness as it relates to leadership.
Participants will understand how to empower others to thrive through the wellness dimensions in organizations.
Participants will experience various techniques to increase well-being.
Participants will learn simple ways to create a plan for well-being centered leadership.

Session Outline:
1. Overview of the session / Ice Breaker
What is well-being centered leadership?
(Mindfulness, emotional intelligence, positive psychology and wellness dimensions)
2. What makes a good leader? What is well-being? What is the impact of a leader with a focus on well-being?
3. Present the six dimensions of wellness. The Wellness Wheel. Physical, Intellectual, Social, Spiritual, Emotional. Occupational. Add the variations and additions to the wellness wheel. Financial/ Environmental
4. Activity: Mindfulness Skill - Andrew Weil’s breathing techniques.
5. Introduction to Positive Psychology in organizations today –
Psychological Capital
HERO - Hope/Efficacy/ Resilience/ Optimism
(Connected to social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual dimensions of wellness)
6. Activity: The Power of Visualization
7. Emotional Intelligence (self awareness) Skills for Leadership
8. Mindfulness and Leadership – Supports emotional intelligence and psychological capital
9. Activity: Exploration of phone apps for wellness dimensions (mindfulness, physical, spiritual, occupational, social, intellectual)
10. Application leadership practices for well-being in the Workplace
(Setting up the environment/flexible work arrangements/ physical/social/occupational)
11. Activity: Creating a Personal Action Plan: Applying new skills/leadership to your Wellness and Team/Community Building

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