_An Edhat Reader
By Antioch University
Antioch University’s Undergraduate Studies program and Santa Barbara City College’s School of Extended Learning co-hosted the Leading with Emotional Agility in the New Workforce Culture panel discussion. The event took place on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 1:00-2:30 PM at Santa Barbara City Campus, 721 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
In honor of International Women’s Day this April, Antioch University’s Undergraduate Studies Program and Santa Barbara City College’s School of Extended Learning hosted a panel discussion on the topic of emotional agility. The panel included four esteemed guest speakers – Linda Croyle, CEO of Croyle Consulting; Dr. Anna Everett, Vice President of SBCC Board of Trustees; Dr. Jackie Gardina, Dean and Chief Academic Officer at Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law; and Dr. Tania Israel, Professor of Counseling Psychology at UCSB. The moderator was Dr. Lois Phillips, founder of Strategic Change and Associates and Founder of Antioch University, Santa Barbara. During the discussion, the panelists shared their experiences and insights into how developing emotional agility can improve productivity and mindfulness in the workplace and everyday life. Attendees learned about acknowledging and processing turbulent emotions, becoming more confident and assured in the workplace despite a culture that often pressures us to suppress negative emotions.
One of the panelists, Dr. Anna Everett, shared a powerful perspective on the practical benefits of emotional agility in the workplace. She said, “Embracing emotional agility can transform traditionally gendered and racially biased workplaces into emotionally healthy environments. In such settings, all workers can feel seen, heard, valued, persist, and allowed to succeed, leading to a more productive and harmonious work environment.”
The moderator, Dr. Lois Phillips, explained, “Successful leaders not only address employees’ concerns with sincere interest, but they also respect their own feelings, allowing their core values to guide them in decision-making.”
The moderator, Dr. Lois Phillips, explained, “successful leaders not only address employees’ concerns with sincere interest, but they also respect their own feelings, allowing their core values to guide them in decision-making.”
Anna Kwong, the Chair of the Antioch BA program and the organizer of this event, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn from community thought leaders. She particularly highlighted the relevance of learning how to manage negative thoughts and deal with uncertainty in a rapidly changing world, can benefit individuals of all ages.
In this workshop, audience heard sage advice and incredible insight on the following topics:
- What is emotional agility?
- How to maintain optimism when things go awry.
- How to create change for the betterment of yourself and others.
- Ways to manage negative thoughts and self-doubt to achieve goals.
Light refreshments were made available to the guests attending the event.
Event was made possible by the Ken Richardson Student Support Fund.
About Antioch Santa Barbara
With more than 4,500 distinguished alumni, Antioch University Santa Barbara (AUSB) has been
honored to serve the diverse communities of Santa Barbara and the central coast of California
since 1977. AUSB is proud to graduate leaders in the fields of education, clinical psychology, business management, and writing – and to offer a bachelor’s degree completion program that elevates our community.
About Antioch University (Founded 1852)
Inspired by the work of pioneering educator Horace Mann, Antioch University provides learner-centered education to empower students with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful lives and to advance social, economic and environmental justice.
