Building Healthy and Resilient Teams

Teams have the potential to be empowering and energizing positive spaces where employees feel safe to grow and collaborate to achieve organizational objectives. Unfortunately, many teams are fraught with misunderstandings and inefficiencies due to an under-emphasis upon key interpersonal skills that can enhance their effectiveness. These skills include the development of emotional intelligence, growth mindsets, and communication skills that demonstrate validation and support. In high-stress environments, these skills are even more essential so that employees to have a safe space for recovery and support in light of the taxing nature of the work. When leaders and team members proactively build these skills, they are able to quickly tackle any disrespect or misunderstandings that arise, and instead re-focus the team on thriving instead.

In this session, we unpack the art and science of creating healthy and resilient teams. We begin by exploring the tough nature of collaboration in high-stress environments and some of the challenges that can arise (e.g., conflict, incivility, sanctuary trauma). With this foundation in place, we will dedicate the rest of the session to building skills that can mitigate and prevent these challenges. Specifically, we will cover how effective leaders and team members develop the emotional intelligence necessary to see and manage their own emotions, as well as recognize and manage emotions in others. Another key skill is building a growth (versus fixed) mindset to mitigate tendencies towards criticism and judgment, with the aim of creating psychologically safe spaces. We will also delve into specific communication tools and strategies that help employees to feel validated and supported. With these foundations in place, we will also cover strategies for effectively intervening in instances of conflict or incivility should they arise. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of their own emotions and beliefs, as well as a new toolkit of skills that will enhance their personal and interpersonal effectiveness.