Every leader needs space to retreat, rethink, replenish, and reflect. Carve out space to honor and check-in, validate your being, refresh your sense of purpose, and renew your commitment to lead. Capacity to deliver well with longevity is intricately connected to the holistic well-being of each member of the team.

Tough skin, strong heart

A leadership book by Shannon Cohen about growing stronger, better, and wiser.

• Implement ‘Head & Heart’ strategies that help you thrive at the intersection of joy and purpose
• Revisit the challenges you have overcome to impart wisdom on the issues you face today
• Cast a vision, build a plan, and execute with excellence action steps that move your vision from promise to reality
• Live unafraid and unashamed to reach out for the support you need when in crisis

Soul Care Reflection Prompts

• What do I need to lean into?
• What do I need to walk away from?
• What did I miss in my haste this week?
• What wins do I want to replicate?
• What boundaries do I need to create, strengthen, resurrect?
• How will I personally heal as a I bring healing to the spaces and people I lead, love, and serve?
• Who/What hurt me this week? What emotional papercuts have I dealt with? Have I processed that pain?
• What do I need in this season of my life? What can I give in this season of my life?
• What new beginnings do I envision for myself?
• "I am not powerless" -- what does that statement mean to you in this season of your life?
• Some dragons you run from, some dragons you slay-- what battles are not mine to fight? What battles must I stop delaying?
• What do I need to start, stop, continue?
• How did I say, "I love you" to myself this week? How do I want to say "I love you" to myself this weekend?
• What's been toxic? What do I need to let go?
• What connections have I seen between my physical health and emotional health? Sleep trends? Productivity and energy?
• Where do I see beauty forming in the ashes of my life?
• Where do I need to give myself space and grace to try again? Rest?
• Where have I gotten clarity?
• What encouragement does my soul need to hear today?

Book Request

Self Care Practices from Inclusion and Equity Colleagues

• Intersectionality foundation
• Public recognition when appropriate (deepen relationships)
• Incorporate mindfulness
• Use flex/vacation time
• Disconnect from screens
• Set communication boundaries
• Use university health and wellness resources
• Exercise
• Community through faculty/staff affinity groups
• Rely on allies
• Practice work-life balance/integration
• Take a lunch break, eat lunch away from your desk
• Know that not everything is urgent
• Be aware of stigmas around self-care
• Be aware of when you're depending on impacted employees
• Celebrate successes (big and small)
• Cultivate optimism and respect
• Support one another
• Consider family/personal aspects and needs
• Minimize sending work/request to staff during off hours
• Be authentic/real/consistent
• Set self-care hours
• Determine when/how you can shed your role and care for yourself
• Unit staff meetings as spaces to gather/reflect, etc.

Share Your Practices