MENTAL FITNESS IN ACTION ENCOURAGING OTHERS LEARNING OBJECTIVES

MENTAL FITNESS IN ACTION: ENCOURAGING OTHERS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • To understand the role of encouragement in building Mental Fitness in others. • To understand apply varied ways of encouraging others in the workplace.

SESSION OVERVIEW • • • Mental Fitness Review Encouragement Defined Preferred Forms of Encouragement Your Style of Encouraging Application Activity

MENTAL FITNESS REVIEW Relatedness I belong to or feel part of my work community. I feel included, encouraged and supported by my co-workers and the organization. Competency I have strengths and gifts that are recognized by myself, my co-workers and the organization. When I use my strengths to meet my goals I feel a sense of worth and accomplishment, and I feel that I am contributing to the goals of the organization. Autonomy-Support I am respected by others in the organization, and I am regarded as a valuable team member. I am invited to make choices and to contribute to decisions about things that are important to me, my co-workers and the organization. (Peterson & Morrison, 2011)

Competency Needs Encouraging Skills Enhanced Mental Fitness: People at their Best

ENCOURAGEMENT Recognizing • Praising • Supporting • Boosting • Lifting Up • Believing • Affirming • Promoting • When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

ENCOURAGING OTHERS Encouragement may be expressed in different ways. People may prefer different forms of encouragement based on their individual preferences.

ENCOURAGING OTHERS We tend to communicate to others in ways that are most meaningful to us – our preferred way of receiving encouragement. We have the opportunity to personalize encouragement for others when we understand what is most meaningful to them – their preferred way of receiving encouragement.

ENCOURAGEMENT SKILLS INVENTORY Please complete the Encouragement Skills Inventory using the rating scale provided where: "1" is Least Like Me "3" is Somewhat Like Me "5" is Most Like Me Circle the number that best represents your Encouragement Style

AFFIRMATIO N SUPPORT HELPING FORMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

AFFIRMATION Affirmation is the expression of encouragement that uses words to communicate appreciation to another person, and includes: Praise for Accomplishments - Focuses on tasks and outcomes Affirmation of Character - Looks beyond performance to the personal qualities of an employee A Focus on Strengths - Acknowledges the gifts and skills of an individual Belief in Potential - Recognizes capacity or potential of success in others

AFFIRMATION Practical actions: • Individual conversations of appreciation and thankfulness • Positive comments to others • Written affirmations (notes or email) • Formal acknowledgements

SUPPORT Support is the expression of encouragement that uses words and actions to convey friendship and caring. Practical Actions: • Giving undivided attention – no multi-tasking! • Engaging in conversations in which people feel listened to, and heard • Acting as a sounding board • Being available beyond regular work routines (e. g. lunch or coffee together) • Identifying/connecting with helpful supports or resources

HELPING Helping is the expression of encouragement that uses practical actions to assist and help others. Individuals with this preference are most encouraged when others recognize practical ways that they can help, especially when deadlines loom and pressures mount. Practical Actions: • Ask before you help • Serve voluntarily • Do it their way • Complete what you start

APPLICATION ACTIVITY Mental Fitness in Action: Encouraging Skills Invite another person from your workplace or work team to complete the Encouragement Skills Inventory (ESI). Compare your results on the ESI and discuss together your responses to the following questions: • What similarities and differences did you note related to your preferred ways for both giving and receiving encouragement? • What form of encouragement is valued most by your workplace or work team? What form of encouragement is most needed? • What immediate actions could you undertake in the next day to encourage someone from your workplace?