In the seventh of the Reell Insights Series in December 2024, Morgan Knutzen, Career Services Director for the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work at Augsburg University, shared how she utilizes the Seeing Things Whole Threefold Model to provide care for individual team members while ensuring essential work is completed.
Morgan emphasized that while uncertainty can lead to feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed, ambiguity can also open doors to creativity and growth when approached with intention.
How to Navigate Uncertainty
- Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, and trusted connections who can offer a fresh perspective
- Focusing on small steps and using tools like design thinking to make progress, even when the full picture isn’t clear
- Change your mindset to focus on learning and adapting rather than striving for the perfect solution
Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Effective Leadership
Morgan underscored the importance of emotional awareness as a key element of strong leadership. Balancing data-driven decisions with empathy fosters trust and strengthens team dynamics.
Creating an environment where team members feel valued allows teams to feel supported. At the same time, acknowledging challenges realistically, without falling into the trap of toxic positivity, can help leaders inspire progress while staying grounded in reality.
Supporting Mental Health and Team Well-Being
Prioritizing mental health strengthens teams and makes them more effective in facing challenges. Morgan shared practical strategies to enhance team well-being:
- Start meetings with updates on how team members are feeling to foster understanding and connection
- Help team members set clear and healthy boundaries to reduce stress and avoid burnout
- Adapt your approach to the needs of each individual on your team
Conclusion
Seeing Things Whole emphasizes a holistic approach to challenges. Effective leaders recognize their limitations and collaborate with others to find clarity and purpose.
By aligning decisions with core values, taking time for thoughtful reflection, and leveraging tools like the threefold model to address relational, organizational, and societal pressure, leaders can navigate complexity with confidence and care.
We should always remember to slow down and reflect; in order to align actions with core values. Thoughtful leadership is essential in navigating ambiguity and building a positive path forward.
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