Send us a textWhat are the unique decision-making challenges leaders face during crises?In episode two of our Crisis Leadership series, unlock the secrets of crisis leadership and communication. Norwegian crisis specialist Kjell Brataas discusses why it's crucial to prepare for the unexpected and how leaders' critical choices impact employees, customers, vendors, and the general public. He gives us insight into the importance of delivering the right message and how communication shapes the long-term experiences of survivors and victims' families.Explore essential strategies for effective crisis communication and leadership under pressure--including the need for advance preparation and the personal qualities vital for leading in tumultuous times. Kjell emphasizes the power of genuine, unscripted communication to build trust, especially in societies with varying levels of confidence in authority. We also draw lessons from Norway's 2011 attacks and the country’s COVID-19 response, underlining the importance of openness and timely updates. Kjell’s experience in managing spontaneous memorials, family assistance centers, support groups, and memorial services illustrates crucial elements in disaster response planning. Kjell Brataas is a Norwegian crisis specialist and author who has worked with crisis management, crisis communication and victim support on some of the biggest crises hitting Norway. His crisis work includes the tsunami in Asia in 2004, the terrorism attacks in Oslo and on Utøya on July 22nd 2011, and COVID-19.  He is a member of an expert group organized by Interpol which focused on crisis communication at large sporting events (Project Stadia) and the Humanitarian Assistance & Psychosocial Support Subgroup of the Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN). He is also a National Expert at NATO. He now works as a Security Specialist for Group Security in DNB, Norway’s largest financial institution.He is the author of Managing the Human Dimension of Disasters – Caring for the Bereaved, Survivors and First Responders (March 2021), and Crisis Communication – Case Studies and Lessons Learned from International Disasters (2018). You can learn more about Kjell on LinkedIn.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textHow do you lead a team through a disaster when you're personally affected by the same crisis? Join us for the first episodes in a new series: Crisis Leadership--Resilience in High Stakes Environments. To begin the series, we sit down with Jolie Wills, CEO and co-founder of Hummingly, who shares her invaluable insights drawn from her frontline experience during the Christchurch earthquakes. We discuss the triple challenge of supporting individuals, teams, and organizations under immense pressure and how understanding these layers is crucial for sustaining mission-driven efforts. Through her research and real-life lessons, Jolie reveals strategies that prevent burnout and maintain well-being and performance during prolonged crises. We examine the nuances of pressure and leadership dynamics, recognizing stress responses within a team, and the necessity of tailored support strategies. We also look into the systemic issues that contribute to burnout and how leaders can address avoidable stressors to foster a more resilient work environment. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build resilient, compassionate, and engaged crisis-ready teams.Jolie is the cofounder and CEO-Americas of Hummingly, which provides tools and workshops to help people perform under pressure. She has studied how the mind works under prolonged pressure, how we make decisions, and how our reactions and behaviors are impacted by stress. She gained her knowledge in real disasters and crisis situations--she is a survivor of the Christchurch earthquakes and has lived disaster recovery first-hand with her family.Connect with Jolie on LinkedIn. And learn more about Hummingly on LinkedIn or on their website Hummingly.co. Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textHow can we create supportive and mentally healthy workplaces?In this episode in our Wellness at Work series, discover the key to fostering mental well-being in your workplace by understanding psychological safety and psychosocial hazards with Dr. I. David Daniels. Learn the difference between psychological safety and psychosocial hazards, how an environment where individuals can freely express their thoughts without fear is crucial for a thriving organization, and how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing issues rather than creating new ones.Turning our focus to mental health and employee turnover, we challenge the common practice of blaming individuals for frequent job changes. Instead, we emphasize the importance of scrutinizing and improving work environments. Understand why legacy systems need to be modified to meet contemporary objectives and how inclusive design processes involving diverse perspectives can foster resilience and growth in employees.Join us for a comprehensive discussion on designing workplaces with human well-being at their core, ensuring healthier and more effective organizations.Dr. I. David Daniels is an occupational health and safety professional, former public safety executive, thought leader, and Founder/CEO of ID2 Solutions, LLC, a safety-focused solutions company specializing in helping organizations plan and execute safety management systems, including focusing on psychosocial hazard mitigation strategies. He’s also the host of the Psych Health and Safety USA podcast.You can learn more about David on his podcast Psych Health and Safety Podcast USA. Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textCan workplace friendships be the key to personal fulfillment and organizational success? In our next episode of the wellness at work series, Aaron Chasan helps us explore the impact of strong social connections on employee retention, loyalty, and resilience. We discuss how well-connected employees become more efficient and supportive and are better equipped to navigate challenges. We also talk about the role of organizations in helping employees connect, especially in hybrid or remote environments and concerns companies have during layoffs and why maintaining and rebuilding connections is crucial.Aaron Chasan is the founder of Thred, an HR tech company that connects coworkers based on shared interests. You can learn more about Thred on their website, and contact Aaron on LinkedIn or via email at aaron@thred.works. Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat happens when a near-death experience forces you to reassess everything you thought you knew about work and life priorities? In our fourth episode in the series on wellness at work, Scott Friedheim shares the lessons he's learned about wellness and resilience and how a written code of conduct can be a game-changer for achieving both personal and professional goals. We discussed mental health awareness in corporate culture and the progress corporate America has made and still needs to make in promoting mental well-being.  Scott also offered insights on how leaders can foster supportive environments that recognize employees as whole individuals on their unique life journeys.Scott Freidheim is the Managing Partner of Freidheim Capital, a private family office that partners with founders of businesses in their first institutional capital monetization event to access growth equity. He serves on leadership boards across industries and has served on executive committees including Lehman Brothers, Sears Holdings, Investcorp and CDI Corp. Scott’s insights and business contributions have garnered him many board seats including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy and Denmark. Scott’s nonprofit contributions have included serving on the boards of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Foundation, Institute of International Education, and Spelman College.A sought-after voice in the conversations that shape global economics, Scott has participated in many panels at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, New Champions Meeting in Dalian, China and participated in the first World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council in Dubai, UAE as an inaugural member.You can learn more about Scott and his book, Code of Conduct, on his website or via email at info@scottfreidheim.com.Www.ScottFreidheim.comGo to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textEver wonder how addiction impacts the workplace and what companies are doing to address it? In the fourth episode of our series on wellness at work, Benjamin Dobbs, the founder of True Addiction and Behavioral Health, discusses how addiction often goes unnoticed until significant behavioral changes occur, and the proactive measures companies are taking, such as increased mental health days, wellness check-ins, and educational programs. We talk about the significance of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in providing essential support, and the necessity of combating stigma and being proactive in offering assistance to employees struggling with addiction. We discuss the essential role of mental health care, effective coping mechanisms, and community connection in mitigating workplace stress that can lead to addiction. And we also examine the prevalence of socially accepted addictions like alcoholism and the importance of maintaining a balanced work-life dynamic to build resilience and well-being.Benjamin Dobbs moved from hopeless and homeless to restored and transformed. He is the founder of True Addiction and Behavioral Health to help the next struggling person with addiction and mental health struggles he once lived with and overcame. He had a passion and mission to go and serve the same people who lived the lifestyle he once lived in hopes of knowing lives could be saved, families could be restored, and communities could be changed. You can call True Addiction at 615-338-6235. You can learn more about Ben on the True Addition and Behavioral Health website, on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram or by emailing him at ben@trueaddictionbh.org.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textCan emotional resilience revolutionize leadership and the workplace? In the third episode of our series on wellness at work, Kamini Wood discusses the profound impact of emotional intelligence on organizational success--how recognizing and managing emotions can transform leadership and the importance of staying regulated as a leader to create a supportive and productive environment for everyone.We also talk about the common misconceptions surrounding emotional resilience, address the fear that these practices reduce productivity, and focus on the long-term benefits of fostering mindfulness and emotional awareness at work. We also talk about the critical role community and recognition play in employee well-being and Dan Siegel's four S's—safe, seen, soothed, secure—and how these principles of attachment can be seamlessly integrated into workplace culture.Whether you're a leader looking to enhance your team's resilience or simply curious about the intersection of emotional intelligence and workplace success, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips.Kamini Wood is CEO and Founder of Live Joy Your Way and AuthenticMe Life Coaching. She empowers high-performing adults and young adults struggling with self-doubt and the need for external validation. Her mission is to help others recognize their true value and stop outsourcing their self-worth.You can learn more about Kamini on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWe often overlook the signs of burnout. Discover a roadmap to maintaining balance in our professional lives, which is essential for a thriving work environment. In the second episode in our series on wellness at work, Kyla Cofer helps us unravel the nuanced stages of burnout that can undermine productivity and morale. We discussed the instrumental role leaders play in recognizing and actively responding to the early warning signs of employee stress and how leaders can cultivate a supportive atmosphere where individuals feel seen and valued, ultimately enhancing company performance and job satisfaction. We build a case for the importance of understanding and adaptive leadership and the transformative potential of supportive workplace communities. Kyla Cofer is a leadership coach, speaker, and podcast host. Her work focuses on burnout, embracing failure, and podcasting. She's the creator of the Leadership School Podcast and Podcaster School. She helps leaders heal from burnout, embrace failure, and step into being the great leader they were born to be.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textImagine stepping into an office that hums with the vibrancy of a well-tuned symphony, each note representing the mental wellness of its employees. That's a reality that can be achieved through fostering inclusivity and encouraging curiosity.In this episode, the first in our new series on Wellness at work: Nurturing Resilience, we talk with Amie Barsky about how the workplace can be a sanctuary for mental wellness, but it requires the nurturing hands of empathetic leadership to cultivate this environment.  We discussed organizational culture, the unspoken language of non-verbal cues, and the necessity for leaders to lead by example in mental health matters. We also talked about how the recognition of trauma's impact on our nervous systems can lead us towards a healthier, more conscious way of living—both in our personal lives and within the corporate world. Amie Barsky is a Trauma-informed Nervous System coach and Breathwork facilitator,  supporting women in redefining what leading a full life can feel like, away from anxiety, overwhelm, and people-pleasing ways our culture has taught us. One that is actually sustainable without sacrificing their mental, physical and emotional health. This is done by resetting the nervous system to trust that it’s safe to slow down and safe to experience more joy and ease among all the “LIFING” that’s happening. Amie guides groups, individuals, and organizations on how to move through overwhelm, negative thoughts, anxiety, low self-esteem, and past trauma so they can feel confident, energized and committed to living from a place of joy & worthiness. You can learn more about Amie and her work on her website or Instagram, and you can email her: amiebarsky@gmail.com. Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textHave you ever marveled at the resilience of those who tirelessly advocate for others, even amidst their own personal adversities? In this final episode in our series, Advocating for Resilience, Maryann McEvoy offers an unfiltered glimpse into promoting change while navigating the complexities of government systems. We discussed her own personal trauma,  the profound impacts of empathy-driven leadership, the challenges of confronting legal and corporate giants in the fight for human rights, and how our own experiences can inform and revolutionize the way we lead and engage with our teams during difficult times. We also talk about the building blocks of trauma-informed communities, including the innovative initiatives in Pennsylvania that are a model for fostering healing and resilience from the grassroots level.The episode is a masterclass on how a single voice, driven by authentic purpose and conviction, can lead to change. And it offers a wealth of insights for anyone looking to cultivate a culture of compassion and resilience within their own lives and organizations.Maryann McEvoy is the Executive Director at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Advocacy and Reform , and elected member of the Executive Steering Council of HEAL PA, a coalition of close to 300 trauma experts within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania working to implement the Trauma Informed PA Plan.You can connect with Maryann on LinkedIn or on the websit of Heal PA.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor