Self-care for academics: VUCA 3.0
After a well-deserved holiday break, we are getting ready for a new semester or have already started a new term. Reflecting on the fall semester where everyone in higher ed went above and beyond to create a covid-friendly learning environment, we’ve learned a lot about what worked and what didn’t. Many of us used the pedagogical tools that were available to us, learned new ones, took risks, and above all, tried to take care of our students as they adjusted to a highly complex, challenging new learning environment. But did we take care of ourselves?
We are still experiencing VUCA, an acronym based on leadership theory that describes volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (Bennis & Nanus, 1987). The nature and speed of change as a result of the global health pandemic combined with the uncertainty it caused created immense stress not only on learners but faculty, staff, and administrators as well. The new reality turns out to be incredibly complex and much of 2020 created a high level of ambiguity as not much was known about the novel coronavirus and how it would influence higher ed.
As I think about what I’ve learned about my role as a faculty member and academic leader in the past year, I am guided by VUCA 2.0 (George, 2017). In VUCA 2.0, “V” stands for vision. I am re-envisioning my personal academic mission, which is to create a challenging and safe learning experience co-created with students to allow them to take ownership of their education. “U” is for understanding one’s capabilities, building on strengths, and minimizing weaknesses. I learned that my strengths include organization, simplification, and clear communication but it was challenging to keep up standard routines that I had relied on to move projects forward. “C” stands for courage and taking some risks to make bold moves. Every single one of my colleagues and friends in higher ed showed enormous courage during a time of uncertainty and many pushed themselves beyond limits. The “A” in VUCA 2.0 stands for adaptability - we have certainly confronted the global health pandemic head-on but it remains to be seen whether our approaches are effective and sustainable. How much energy was spent but not replenished?
So as we get ready for another semester and year, I’d like to propose VUCA 3.0 as a framework for reflecting on lessons learned in 2020 and for creating a meaningful and sustainable path forward.
Articulate and review your values. Be clear about what drives you and what’s meaningful to you. Try to boil your list down to two values and let them guide your decision-making. I recommend Brené Brown’s values exercise.
Keep your head in the game and provide unwavering support for your students, your colleagues, and yourself. You don’t have to figure out everything on your own. Ask for help - it’s all around you! But stay the course.
Stay calm. Create buffers between meetings and classes to center yourself. Remember to breathe and take time before jumping on the next Zoom call. Pro tip: Meditate throughout the day. I love the app “Calm.” It has long and short meditations you can practice that will help you with #2.
Discover your most authentic self. Become comfortable with yourself and your actions. Start with your values, meditate regularly, and commit to spending at least 30 minutes outside in the fresh air. You’ll learn more about yourself than you thought possible.
Which of the three VUCA models resonates most with you? Are you ready to propose your own?
Sources:
Bennis, W. & Nanus, B. (1985). Leaders: The strategies for taking charge. New York: Harper & Row.
George, B. (2017). VUCA 2.0: A strategy for steady leadership in an unsteady world, Forbes Magazine. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
