MENTAL FITNESS IN ACTION ENGAGING OTHERS LEARNING OBJECTIVES

MENTAL FITNESS IN ACTION: ENGAGING OTHERS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • To understand the role of engagement in building mental fitness in others • To learn skills for building and sustaining engagement in schools

SESSION OVERVIEW • • • Mental Fitness Review Engagement Defined Steps in Engaging Others Sustaining Engagement 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)

MENTAL FITNESS IN ACTION Mental Fitness Needs • Relatedness • Encouraging • Competency • Autonomy • Engaging Support Mental Fitness Needs Mental Fitness Skills • Understanding Mental Fitness Skills Enhanced Mental Fitness: People at their Best

ENGAGING OTHERS Inviting • Empowering • Demonstrating openness • Sharing • • Incorporating. Collaborati ng. Supporting autonomy. Valuing As we look ahead to the next century, leaders will be those who empower others ~Bill Gates

EVIDENCE SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT Current evidence-based literature indicates that individuals that experience engagement in their current work or learning routines, compared to those that experience more controlling environments: • • • Have a greater perceived sense of competency Prefer an optimal challenge over easy success Have an enhanced sense of well-being Perform better Demonstrate longevity and persistence (Black & Deci, 2000; Reeve, 2006; Reeve, Jang, Carrell, Barch & Jeon, 2004; Reeve, Nix & Hamm, 2003).

STEPS IN ENGAGING OTHERS: MAKE THE FIRST STEP • When greeting a colleague, ask questions that show genuine interest. • Widen your social circle at work. • If you always go to lunch with the same group, invite someone new.

STEPS IN ENGAGING OTHERS: DEMONSTRATE INTEREST • Show interest in people’s ideas, preferences or interests during conversational exchanges. • Take time to notice and affirm the strengths of others. • Be aware of others’ feelings and communicate support.

STEPS IN ENGAGING OTHERS: ENGAGE NEW PERSPECTIVES • Be less inclined to give advice, and more inclined to seek it. • Encourage open exploration and brainstorming of ideas without immediate evaluation. • Involve more people in weighing options when making decisions.

STEPS IN ENGAGING OTHERS: PARTNER OR TEAM TOGETHER • Invite opportunities to work together on activities or tasks. • Express willingness to share your ideas and resources. • Create a shared vision or goal. • When compliments come your way, spread them around to all who helped.

HOW DO WE SUSTAIN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT? 1. Communicate and share meaningful goals or directions. Employees have a strong sense of purpose, and feel they are on a path that is worth their time and energy. 2. Provide opportunities for choice in how work is accomplished. Employees have a sense of ownership for their work, and accept responsibility for planning and carrying out work activities. 3. Provide positive feedback and recognition of daily successes among team members. Employees perceive that they are respected for their contributions, and take pride in their work. 4. Celebrate and share milestones and accomplishments among team members. Employees have a sense of confidence in their work, and feel that their efforts are contributing to ongoing progress in meeting organizational goals. (Adapted from Thomas, 2009)

APPLICATION ACTIVITY Mental Fitness in Action: Engaging Skills • Think about a person in your workplace with whom you have not interacted in the last few days. • Make an intentional effort to demonstrate respect for that individual by greeting them and engaging them in conversation about an area of personal interest. • Ask them to share their perspective or advice on a specific work activity or goal, or invite their collaboration to complete a joint work activity. • Write a 1 -2 page summary reflecting upon this activity and its impacts.