The Resilient Leader: Building Mental Toughness in Uncertain Times

About the Episode:

Seth Odell and Mallory dive into a timely and thought-provoking discussion on building resilience as leaders in uncertain times. With Seth unable to attend the AMA conference due to family commitments, the conversation centers around navigating challenges, managing stress, and fostering resilience both personally and within teams. They explore the importance of self-awareness, prioritization, and psychological safety in the workplace.

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Key Takeaways

• Leadership is tough and often lonely, especially in times of uncertainty.
• Building resilience starts with self-awareness and prioritizing what is within your control.
• Leaders must balance empathy for their teams with their own self-care to avoid burnout.
• Making iterative decisions allows for flexibility and the ability to adapt to new information.
• Cultivating a psychologically safe environment fosters resilience within teams and supports open communication.

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Episode Summary

What does it mean to be a resilient leader in uncertain times?
Seth and Mallory kick off the episode by addressing the increasing uncertainty and divisiveness in today’s world. As leaders, they emphasize the importance of resilience, which begins with self-awareness and recognizing your own limits. Seth highlights the concept of "surrender"—acknowledging that not everything is within your control and letting go of the need to fix everything immediately. By focusing on what is within their circle of influence, leaders can avoid burnout and better manage the stresses of decision-making in turbulent times.

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How can leaders foster resilience within themselves and their teams?
Mallory shares her experience of over-identifying with her team's struggles, especially during challenging periods like the pandemic, which led to her own burnout. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and compartmentalizing work from personal life. Both hosts discuss practical strategies for building resilience, such as turning off notifications, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in self-care activities like exercise and meditation. Seth adds that time management and prioritization are key—leaders should focus on mission-critical tasks and break large decisions into smaller, more manageable steps.

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What role does psychological safety play in resilience?
A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Mallory highlights that leaders must create environments where team members feel comfortable expressing concerns and uncertainties without fear of judgment. This open communication fosters trust and allows teams to build resilience together. However, Seth reminds listeners that leaders should not take on all of their team’s emotional burdens; rather, they should focus on providing clear direction and support, ensuring that their team has the resources they need to succeed.

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How can leaders balance decision-making with the pressure to get everything right?
In a world where decision-making feels increasingly high-stakes, Mallory and Seth stress the importance of viewing decisions as iterative rather than final. This mindset shift helps alleviate the pressure to get everything perfect from the start. By making smaller, winnable decisions and remaining flexible as new information arises, leaders can reduce stress and be more adaptable. Seth adds that sometimes, it’s okay to wait things out and live in ambiguity, rather than rushing toward resolution.

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Connect With Our Hosts:

Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Seth Odell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

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