Leading in VUCA

In this episode of the "Stand in the &" podcast, Heather Gates and Lisa Macon Harrison discuss the complexities of public health leadership in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world. They explore the importance of communication, trust, and connection in navigating challenges, emphasizing the need for active hope and collaboration. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding both the external environment and internal team dynamics to foster effective leadership and community engagement.

Host: Heather Gates, MPH, Owner & Strategy Partner of Human-Centered Strategy, LLC
Guest: Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH, Health Director, Granville Vance Public Health

Takeaways
•Public health professionals are navigating increased complexity & uncertainty
•Active hope is essential for effective leadership in public health
•Communication must be clear & frequent to build trust
•Understanding team dynamics enhances collaboration & decision-making
•Trust takes time & is built through consistent engagement
•“VUCA Prime” offers a framework for addressing challenges (Vision, Understanding, Clarity, & Agility)
•Leaders must balance processing & doing in their roles
•Human connection is vital in an increasingly technological world

Chapters
•00:00 Introduction & Background
•08:50 Navigating Complexity & Uncertainty in Public Health
•17:43 VUCA: Understanding & Responding to Challenges
•26:29 Collaboration & Leadership in Public Health
•26:54 The Gift of Collaboration in Public Health
•29:41 Self-Awareness & Team Dynamics
•34:59 The Importance of Communication
•49:08 Navigating Human Connection in a Tech-Driven World

Quoted Resources & Tools in this Episode
Moments of Impact by Chris Ertel & Lisa Kay Solomon
VUCA Prime Framework by Robert Johansson

Hymn for the Hurting by Amanda Gorman
Everything hurts,
Our hearts shadowed and strange,
Minds made muddied and mute.
We carry tragedy, terrifying and true.
And yet none of it is new;
We knew it as home,
As horror,
As heritage.
Even our children
Cannot be children,
Cannot be.

Everything hurts.
It’s a hard time to be alive,
And even harder to stay that way.
We’re burdened to live out these days,
While at the same time, blessed to outlive them.

This alarm is how we know
We must be altered —
That we must differ or die,
That we must triumph or try.
Thus while hate cannot be terminated,
It can be transformed
Into a love that lets us live.

May we not just grieve, but give:
May we not just ache, but act;
May our signed right to bear arms
Never blind our sight from shared harm;
May we choose our children over chaos.
May another innocent never be lost.

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