Introduction

In the sixth episode of the Reell Insights Series in November 2024, Dr. Aja King shared why mental health and wellness are more important than ever, not just for individuals but also for teams and organizations. We explored how taking care of our minds helps us become better leaders and build thriving teams.

What Does Mental Health Mean?

Mental health isn’t just for those with diagnoses; it’s about how we manage our daily lives and emotions. From handling stress to staying grounded, caring for our mental health is part of bringing our whole selves to the workplace.

This ties directly to the core values of Seeing Things Whole; curiosity, dignity, humility, and trust. Mental health supports us in becoming more thoughtful, balanced, and compassionate leaders.

How Leaders Can Support Wellness

Leadership is about creating environments where everyone feels respected and supported. Dr. Aja King reminded us that great leaders model self-care, vulnerability, and openness. When leaders show they care, teams thrive.

Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with easy practices like:

• Breathing exercises to stay calm.
• Building a support system, whether it’s through therapy or your community.
• Take a walking break during your workday

For teams, organizations can create supportive cultures by offering flexibility, encouraging open communication, and prioritizing mental health.

Conclusion

Seeing Things Whole reminds us that every part of our lives, our minds, our teams, and our values, are connected. When we take small steps to care for ourselves and others, we build better workplaces and communities.

Take a moment today to pause, reflect, and ask: How can you support wellness for yourself and those around you?

Want more tips like these? Subscribe to our newsletter for practical advice on building stronger teams and becoming a better leader. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone thrives.

Your journey to better leadership starts today.

Imagine a world where leaders don’t just chase profits but also work with purpose, care for their people, and contribute to the greater good. These are the kinds of leaders our world desperately needs; leaders who inspire positive change in their workplaces and communities.

At the Reell Office of Seeing Things Whole, we believe in cultivating whole leaders: people who mindfully connect their actions with their values

And here’s the challenge: not everyone who wants to grow into this kind of leader has the financial means to access these vital programs.

That’s why we’re participating in Give to the Max this year – to raise funds for participants to access Seeing Things Whole programming at reduced cost.

Give to the Max

Give to the Max Day is on November 21, when people come together to support meaningful causes through donations. It’s a great opportunity to make a big impact. By contributing to the Cultivating Whole Leaders campaign on Give to the Max Day, you’ll help more individuals access our leadership programs, empowering them to grow into leaders who can make a real difference in their workplaces and communities.

Our goal is simple but powerful: to make our leadership programs more accessible to students, professionals, and community members; no matter their financial situation

Your donation will help reduce program costs, opening doors for more participants to become the authentic, purpose-driven leaders the world needs.

Here’s how your support makes a lasting impact:

• Empower personal growth: Our programs guide individuals in discovering their strengths, values, and leadership styles, building their confidence and ability to lead authentically.
• Teach purpose-driven leadership: We help leaders learn to solve challenges in ways that benefit their organizations, their communities, and the world.
• Encourage responsible stewardship: We show leaders how to manage resources, whether it’s time, money, or people, in ways that honor both today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities.

By donating to our Give to the Max campaign, you’re investing in more than just a program: you’re shaping a future where workplaces and communities thrive.
Your contribution today will enable more people to access these life-changing programs, ensuring that more leaders are equipped to make a positive difference.
Together, we can make sure that leadership is about more than just success, it’s about serving others and creating a better world.

Thank you for your generosity and for believing in a future where leaders prioritize values, purpose, and stewardship. We can’t do this without you.

Donate today → https://bit.ly/STWGTM24

The Reell Office is thrilled to welcome Davide Guidetti to the team!

Davide Guidetti is currently a sophomore at Augsburg University, majoring in Marketing and International Business, and a team member at the Reell Office of Seeing Things Whole. Davide is expanding the Reell Office’s reach by utilizing his passion for marketing, business, and technology and his background in creative entrepreneurship and global experiences. Davide brings a global perspective to his work along with his experience in business development and digital branding with a focus on e-commerce and social media. Through his role at Seeing Things Whole, Davide aims to expand his knowledge of systems thinking and organizational growth.

The position’s goal is to expand our educational content, digital reach, as well as our ability to connect meaningfully with organizations who are curious about the Seeing Things Whole philosophy. We are thrilled to have Davide as part of the team.

In the fourth episode of the Reell Insights Series in September 2024, Jennifer Butler, P.h.D and Director of Multicultural Life at Augsburg University shared concepts about self-efficacy and how it supports leadership.

Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their ability to perform and achieve goals. It is a critical component in personal and professional growth because it determines how much effort people will put into their work and how they will handle challenges.

What is Self-Efficacy?

Self-efficacy implies believing in one’s ability to complete tasks and successfully reach goals. It helps build confidence and keeps people motivated toward success.

Psychologist Albert Bandura named four ways a person can develop self-efficacy:

1. Mastery of Experience: The confidence that develops from success in performing tasks.
2. Vicarious Experience: Vicarious experiences are seeing others, especially people like you, succeed which encourages one to believe one can succeed too.
3. Social Persuasion: Positive feedback and encouragement from others that build up your confidence.
4. Emotional and Physical Condition: Managing stress and emotional pressure to maintain a positive outlook.

Connecting to Whole Leadership

Seeing Things Whole is about appreciating and supporting the wholeness of people, beyond their abilities. Within a leadership context, that translates into:

• Celebrating success: Showing support and appreciation for small victories while building confidence.
• Learning from others: If the shared stories are about success, the purpose is to inspire others through storytelling.
• Building support: The encouragement and reminiscing of people about their strengths through positive feedback.
• Managing well-being: Ensuring that people feel supported emotionally, which typically helps them stay motivated and confident.

Leadership That Supports Growth

The leadership philosophy Butler tries to instill in her team and students focus on building confidence through self-efficacy. She believes in:

• Hearing people out: giving space to her team, expressing feelings, and allowing their solutions.
• Appreciation of growth: Celebrating small and big achievements to remind people of their capabilities.
• Instilling autonomy: Truly supporting autonomy in her team by giving ownership and helping to build skills.

Conclusion

Self-efficacy is not just about successful experiences; rather, it’s the building of a culture whereby those in it can exude confidence. In helping teams and students grow toward reaching their full potential, leaders like Jennifer Butler foster an environment that supports the whole person. Only through this type of strategy will organizations become stronger, leaders even better, and society at large benefit.

Introduction

In today’s tough work environments, embracing all aspects of employees’ identities, including their religious or non-religious beliefs, is key to building inclusive and supportive workplaces. In the third episode of the Reell Insights Series in August 2024, Michon True Smith, Managing Director of Interfaith at Augsburg University, will give us some important lessons on how organizations can improve religious diversity and create spaces where everyone feels valued.

Allow Employees to Bring Their Whole Self to Work

One of the most important insights Michon shared is the idea that people should be able to bring their “whole self” to work including their religious and spiritual beliefs. When employees feel safe to express all aspects of who they are, they build stronger relationships with their coworkers and contribute more fully to the team.

Seeing Things Whole encourages leaders to recognize that a person’s values and beliefs are part of what makes them who they are. Embracing this wholeness in the workplace helps create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Religious Diversity is Part of DEI Efforts

Michon highlighted that religious diversity is often left out of broader diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. While companies focus on issues like race and gender, religious beliefs are sometimes overlooked, leading to a lack of understanding.

By recognizing the importance of religious diversity, companies can enhance their DEI programs and build more inclusive cultures where everyone feels respected.

Seeing Things Whole means understanding that diversity is not complete without recognizing the wide range of worldviews people bring to work.

Practical Steps for Inclusivity

Michon shared several practical ways organizations can support religious diversity:

• Create a religious holiday calendar so everyone is aware of important dates.
• Provide a space for prayer or meditation.
• Form affinity groups for employees who share similar faiths.

These steps can help employees feel seen and respected, promoting a sense of belonging.

Seeing Things Whole encourages practical changes, ensuring that employees’ personal beliefs are supported; alongside their professional roles.

Benefits of Interfaith Dialogue

Interfaith discussions in the workplace can help employees better understand each other’s beliefs and can foster respect. By engaging in these conversations, businesses can reduce misunderstandings and build stronger teams.

By promoting Seeing Things Whole, organizations can embrace differences as strengths. Encouraging open dialogue about faith and worldview helps create a workplace where diversity is seen as a valuable resource and not as a challenge!

The Importance of Reflection

Michon emphasized the value of taking time to reflect on one’s values and beliefs. In our busy work lives, it’s easy to overlook this, but reflecting on what’s important can lead to better decision-making and personal growth.

Organizations that encourage this kind of reflection, especially around values, help employees connect their personal beliefs to their work. Seeing Things Whole promotes this intentional reflection, leading to more thoughtful leadership and a stronger sense of purpose.

Conclusion

The key message from Michon’s insights is clear: religious diversity is a strength. When organizations create inclusive spaces that honor all aspects of identity, they foster trust, build stronger teams, and contribute to a positive work environment.

Seeing Things Whole encourages leaders to embrace the full human experience, including faith, spirituality, and worldview, leading to a more inclusive organization.

Introduction 

In today’s rapidly evolving organizations, the concept of followership is becoming an essential component of effective leadership. In the second episode of the Reell Insights Series in July 2024, Tiffany Moore explains why followership is a fundamental part of the leadership process, highlighting key findings from her research and how it directly impacts leaders, organizations, and employees. We will delve into these findings and understand how they strongly connect to the Seeing Things Whole framework.

What is Followership? 

Followership is the process of supporting and contributing to leadership. It’s a two-way relationship where both leaders and followers are influenced by each other. In most research,  leadership is often emphasized while followership is ignored. Moore’s research reveals that effective leadership depends on active and engaged followers. It is very simple: leaders can’t lead without their followers; for this reason, this dynamic is crucial for a successful organization.

Key Learnings from the Research 

1. Engagement is Crucial: Active followers, who regularly provide feedback and contribute to decision-making, have more influence. Engaged followers can be key to developing stronger organizations, and thanks to their work alongside leaders, they help create progress.
2. Barriers to Influence: Some followers struggle to influence leadership due to organizational barriers like rigid hierarchies or lack of communication. When these obstacles exist, followers feel uninvolved and less motivated to participate.
3. Influence Affects Job Satisfaction: Employees who feel they can influence decisions are more satisfied and likely to stay in their jobs. Those who feel uninvolved are more likely to leave their positions.
4. Power of Collective Action: Followers working together are more likely to influence leadership than those acting alone. Collective action provides strength and drives change within the organization.

Connecting Followership to Seeing Things Whole 

Seeing Things Whole is a leadership approach that emphasizes understanding the bigger picture of an organization, including the interconnected roles of leaders and followers. Moore’s research fits perfectly with this approach, as it highlights how vital followers are to the overall success of an organization.

Leaders who follow the Seeing Things Whole philosophy understand that their followers are not just subordinates, but instead key contributors to the growth of the organization. By recognizing the value of followership, leaders can create an environment more inclusive and collaborative, where everyone has value.

Tips for Leaders and Followers 

Leaders:

• Encourage open communication and feedback.
• Create opportunities for followers to collaborate and contribute ideas. Break down barriers that prevent followers from engaging.

Followers:

• Take initiative by sharing ideas and requesting feedback.
• Build relationships with leaders to strengthen your influence.
• Work with others to strengthen your voice when sharing suggestions or concerns.

Conclusion

Followership can play a crucial role in leadership and organizational success. Moore’s research highlights how active engagement from followers can improve decision-making, support, and overall effectiveness. Leaders who adopt a Seeing Things Whole model recognize the importance of their followers, leading to more holistic, thriving organizations.

Whole leaders reflect deeply on their own values and strengths as a means to take initiative and empower others. They thoroughly consider how their actions create impact and take a holistic view when making critical decisions.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
Our Community Practice Cohort is designed to empower leaders by providing a collaborative space to enhance the leadership process and practice and gain insights around real-life leadership challenges and opportunities.

The Community Practice Cohort is accepting eight members from September 2024–June 2025 to embark on a 10-month collaborative journey toward effective leadership. Participants will gain practical skills and knowledge on leadership topics—like articulating a problem, communication, team collaboration, decision making—as well as personalized roundtables to focus on issues and skills directly related to your organization.

To learn more, please contact Program Director Keri Clifton at cliftonk@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1525.

You can schedule time with Keri to learn more about the opportunity — bit.ly/ScheduleReell