Hi, again, Jeremy.Greetings everyone from the Upper Midwest (U.S.)

Hi!

Good morning, everyone.

Did you ever wonder why state and federal government bodies are called "agencies"? It's because they have the "agency" to enact policy.

An agency is the thing that does the work.

As Jeremy is talking, I'll just add that I think the two step process of first knowing that you can/should have a sense of agency and then doing something with that awareness is a rare awareness. So I'm excited to learn about the how to cut through the noise.

A different way to say "sense of agency" might be... self-awareness in the moment.

Some people naturally do the things associated with their sense of agency, without knowing that it their sense of agency. So I wonder... how much more effective can a person be as a leader when they take a moment to think about their sense of agency?

I really ike Ms. Oruh's reminder about the practice of using "the balcony" at the job or wherever.I've definitely found this intentional habit helpful for me to feel & know that I have pro-active "agency" over my mh symptom-state, vs. my symptoms over-powering me.

Q:There are circumstances in life when we're powerless. A simpleton example is in ageing and, say, at 80 years young, now being too weak to lift a saddle atop a tall horse anymore. That may not be a perfect example but how can one have agency during or amidst ciecunstaves of powerlessness? How can agency arise (if possible) during times of actual powerlessness? when we no longer can do something...

* circumstances (auto-word correction)

Good question Michele. I'll bring it up.

In a way, is Michelle's question alluding to confidence in the moment?

Especially helpful if my complex-PTSD is unexpectedly triggered at work.Looking at the sky & trees, feeling the sunlight, listening to birds really helps to ground me physically into a state of mental agency.Especially necessary when professionalism is required vs. just casually.It helps me to have healthy "authority" over myself in my transformative leadership. And that, I find, has positive ripple effects in an organization. For ex: in collaborative teamwork situations.

I have another meeting I have to attend. Look forward to watching the video later!

Thanks Amy!

John:.TY for ur comment. My mh conditions has made my self-awareness very strong. It's my greatest, moment-to-moment asset -- in any situation. A huge life-skill that elevates virtually all my actions & interactions.

helpful app for sleep and calming triggers I have foundhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=binaural.studymusic.brainwave.focusmusic.binauralbeats

Michelle: TY for ur question!

I found an app called pep-talk and since I'm always going through talks it is a great subscription. Cut out a $5 expense for a great leadership resource.

Power in the "elderly example" (above) might be acceptance or surrendering or swallowing my one's pride and asking for help from someone younger in the stable who can put the saddle on the horse for me?

How do you know you're empowered if you've never felt it before? Not a trick question. If Peers are too often self-doubting, they are their own worst enemy when it comes to recognizing your agency. Chioma mentioned "metrics'... and I wonder if we can build a list of metrics that would show/prove our empowered status?

Great tip, Ms. Oruh, about "memory setting"! I can see how that relates to building/fortifying self-awareness & self-confidence -- and thus "agency" of leadership.

I think you're right Michele, but at the same time I wouldn't frame it as "surrendering." I'd frame it as cooperative collaboration. When something is being done collectively, even something tangible like saddling a horse, everyone has a part.

how does one safely make themselves vulnerable in order to grow their agency?

Interesting... most people avoid vulnerability, and assume that being vulnerable will harm their agency.

Yes, but at the same time, leadership is by definition making oneself vulnerable. You're putting yourself out there.

That tension can get really complicated.

I don't know, Jeremy. I think that a person can lead and take risks without being vulnerable.

Yes, saddling the horse, even wanting to take a horse ride & walking to the horse, r examples, to me, of agency. 😊Often w/my mh symptom-vulnerability, my self-confidence takes real hits.But when I can intentionally take one do-able small step at a time (& I write them down), my confidence starts to go up. Even a little. Which, for me, actually feels BIG.

I guess it hinges on how you think about vulnerability. If you take risks, it might not work out, so you're making yourself vulnerable to that possibility. That doesn't necessarily mean you feel vulnerable, as in being in emotional jeopardy.

have to go to other meeting look fwd to videos good afternoon

Thanks for being here Larxley!

This raises an interesting question. To what extent is agency all about attitude? Maybe one person feels vulnerable taking risks, but another person's attitude is simply about seeking success and taking chances to do so as he or she leads in a direction. If that is true, I wonder, then, if Peers disproportionately feel vulnerable?

I make myself venerable le is by taking small steps towards my goals or what I know I need and want is by taking action. Whether that means showing up or speaking up. How ever what length of time it has taken I am celebrating it all the same.

I see vulnerability as a personal opening, a personal window, for me to see what I need in the moment.I find this perspective-shift helps me to be gentle & accepting w/myself.And that gives me internal space to identify what I need & can do to help me calm/energize myself.As Ms. Oruh says, helpful for "self-regulation."

Definitely. With my mh conditions, I find that NO step I can take is small. They're huge!

For me, I certainly see and understand the value of being vulnerable (by choice, or not, with each path having its own variables). But, I feel like there is a lot of emphasis being placed on the need to be vulnerable in order to be effective as a leader. I am not sure I that the two concepts are so bonded to one another. A good leader may, for example, choose to be vulnerable in the moment so as to build rapport with the group (so it's a rhetorical tactic)… is that really vulnerability? Maybe a clearer definition of "vulnerable" is needed.

Definitely Misako. Every chance you take is a victory.

Jeremy: yes about the confidence-building of knowing & defining one's own mh story! No one knows a peer's story/narrative better than the peer who lives it.

I agree John, The difference between leadership and just sharing, is that leadership involves strategically deciding what to share, how to share it, and whom to share it with.

Ms. Oruh, can u respond to John's question about defining vulnerability? And in different circumstances.

I am now finding it helpful to write down what I'm going to say or share either ahead or before I decide to speak if among a group. My story sharing is usually scripted and has more preparation. And if I'm meeting someone and sought out to meet I have researched their work and accomplishments.

Etsegent: such useful practices.

Thank you so our yours and very relatable.

are

Etsegenet: I meant especially re: ur last sentence.

A 150 people case-load?! OMG.

Are u sure u have a mh condition, Ms. Oruh?? 😉

Does anyone here find that drawing out their story -- even as simple as a children's story -- helpful? How do you help u define your story?

I meant, privately drawing one's story.

Honoured to join you again today from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Thank you for this really interesting discussion. Much love<3 My first experience of this kind of vulnerability came in Step 5 of AA, where I disclosed to another person all my shortcomings and harms I had done my regrets, fears and resentments. I experienced a great freedom as I realized I had nothing left to hide. That was many decades ago and I have told many versions of my story to many different people since. My confidence has grown as I've learned. I like that - it's part of my brand. TY, Chioma. So recovery to me has come to mean to strive to be the best I can be in the moment, and to fulfill my responsibility to you, to the other. Whether with one person or with groups, my approach is that we figure it out, learn together. I personally have no power beyond my own thoughts and actions. The power always lies with the group.

Stan: I so agree.And adjusting the degree of what I share in varying work/organizational situations.I use 12-Step as a holistic life skill in any situation. This includes my being in an "ASCA" wkly peer support group. "Adult Children of Childhood Abuse."

Right, Misako. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, to know who I am speaking to and to practice discretion. The story never changes but how it is told does. It needs to be relevant. And I'm always hearing that old Animals song, "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". ✌🏼 ❤️

Jeremy: yes! My sharing my mh story w/peers in a safe, confidential environment has 100% helped me to get to know & clearly define my story.And adjust my story (length, how much to tell, how to tell/share it) in different situations accordingly.

And I try never to say anything harmful or hurtful about anyone else. First do no harm.

I might be the odd man out... but I just don't equate risk with vulnerability. Taking a risk might lead to a vulnerable moment, but they are two different things in my mind. I say this because I would not want the fear of being vulnerable to prevent someone from taking a calculated risk--which is what one must do all the time when making any type of decision.

@John. Agreed.

And get comfortable w/my story. Without shame. But w/self-compassion. That's helped clarify & strengthen my self-confidence tremendously. (My mh diagnoses r direct results of my childhood abuse.)

I guess I just really need to know... which direction is the rock path going? Towards us, or away from us?

Either way, it looks slippery

So, my "agency" over my own narrative has really boosted in the process.And I know that can/does/will help me on a job -- and especially w/leadership situations/opportunities (however "small," which is never small).

My confidence had to be the reason why I felt comfortable or not to take a risk. But at first it was so uncomfortable that my voice even was affected. I feel it change octaves because of my nerves.

John: I agree.

Thank you! Beautiful info and context!

you guys are amazing, it take a leader to make a leader. thank you for all the info. see you next week

TY everyone!

Yes thank you!!

Thank you so much. Honoured to be here with you. Love and respect.