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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Our first Seeing Things Whole Continuing Education series wrapped up right before Thanksgiving this year. The Series offered participants tools and insights needed to tackle challenges, make informed decisions, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. Along with information, we provided the valuable opportunity to take time to practice reflection around leadership challenges. Time for reflection – a scarce commodity for leaders – is core to the Seeing Things Whole philosophy and practice to ensure decisions are being made to reflect all stakeholder interests and lead organizations mindfully into the future.
In “The Importance of Reflective Leadership in Business,” published by the Harvard Business School Business Insights Blog states that, “Since reflective leadership focuses on continuously improving and developing, it’s one of the more effective leadership styles. By regularly reflecting on your beliefs and values and incorporating them into your actions, you can make ethical decisions and enable your company to be more purpose-driven” (Han, 2023). When we take the time to slow down, process and reflect, aligning actions with our personal and organizational values often becomes clearer.
The STW Continuing Education Series brought values and personal worldviews into the forefront of participants thinking while they analyzed challenges and sought to make progress. The Reell Office will offer additional opportunities to engage with the workshops provided during the series, but in the meantime, anyone can get started with these simple reflection tips.
Starting Your Reflection Practice
Free write each day for 10 or 15 minutes to bring to the forefront thoughts circling in your mind
Clarify your personal leadership values and articulate how these values show up each day in your work and life
Show up with curiosity by seeking and considering the perspectives of others, especially those most familiar with the day to day work
The Reell Office of Seeing Things Whole cultivates whole leaders and thriving organizations to positively impact the common good. Learn more about our model and ways to start your leadership journey in the above video.
STW Empowers Individuals to:
Deepen your self-awareness and align your actions with your values in work and life.
Develop goals and strategies to address change utilizing multiple perspectives.
Connect with leaders to support your personal and professional growth.
Increase your skills to build cultures of collaboration.
STW Helps Teams and Organizations to:
Navigate complex challenges using our three-dimensional model of organizational life.
Align daily practices with organizational values and purpose.
Foster connections between individual values and organizational goals.
Build a thriving culture that serves the common good.
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?
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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.
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:
Mastery of Experience: The confidence that develops from success in performing tasks.
Vicarious Experience: Vicarious experiences are seeing others, especially people like you, succeed which encourages one to believe one can succeed too.
Social Persuasion: Positive feedback and encouragement from others that build up your confidence.
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.
We are excited to introduce our new continuing education series, which expands on the Seeing Things Whole framework by empowering you with the tools and insights needed to tackle challenges, make informed decisions, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. Join us as you become a more mindful and effective leader!
Overview
The series consists of five interactive workshops, each aimed at enhancing your ability to lead mindfully through change for more holistic outcomes. The workshops cover the following over five weeks:
Date
Topic
Tuesday, Oct 22
Articulating Your Challenge
Tuesday, Oct 29
Types of Knowledge: Accessing Your Inner Wisdom
Tuesday, Nov 12
The Coin Flip Model of Responsible Decision-Making
Tuesday, Nov 19
Communication, Clarity, and Collaboration
Tuesday, Nov 26th
Mindful Implementation and Change
*** All Sessions are Online, last 90 minutes, and start at 12:00 pm CST
Throughout these workshops, you will work both individually and collectively to make progress on a leadership opportunity. Here’s what you can expect to gain:
Articulate Your Challenge: Identify the core of an organizational opportunity through structured inquiry while analyzing your beliefs to determine your core values.
Understand Types of Knowledge: Differentiate between distinct ways of knowing and practice tapping into your inner wisdom through guided visualization.
Take a New Approach to Decision-Making: Utilize the coin-flip model to honor the emotional aspects of decisions while analyzing and comparing potential outcomes.
Plan Your Communication to Maximize Engagement: Define effective communication and recognize the importance of engaging team members by seeking clarity.
Create Mindful Implementation for Change: Evaluate and propose implementation plans for organizational opportunities based on your decisions.
Workshops are Facilitated by Elaine Eschenbacher
Elaine is a writer, researcher, facilitator, and coach. Formerly Augsburg’s Assistant Provost for Experiential Learning and Meaningful Work, she launched Unleashed Azalea in 2024 where she offers coaching on leadership and creativity, and works with organizations on workshop design, facilitation, research and writing. She teaches Community Engaged Leadership courses with the Masters of Leadership program at Augsburg University and holds an MA in Organizational Leadership.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.