Maintaining Morale in the Midst of Challenge and Change

Level: Advanced Practice – Line Worker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: Line workers interested in learning techniques for helping themselves/children and client families to effectively handle change in healthy ways

Intended Objectives:

• Examine the inherent stresses encountered when dealing with change
  Explore ten specific strategies that can be used to maintain morale during challenging and changing times
• Acknowledge and accept individual differences in the work place
  Discuss specific “dysfunctional” workplace approaches to dealing with stress and change
• Assign appropriate responsibility for how others cope with change and stress so as not to contaminate our own morale with the negativity of others
• Discuss the psychological and physical benefits of accentuating the positive during change
• Explore specific personal actions and interventions that may be necessary to sustain positive morale
• List the important benefits of affirming one’s effectiveness as a human service professional

Topics Include:

• Accepting responsibility for one’s career choice
• Acknowledging individual differences
• Maintaining an Assertive approach
• Control of one’s attitude
• Managing one’s affect
• Allowing empathy
• Assigning appropriate responsibility
• Accentuating the positive
• Acting – when necessary
• Affirming one’s effectiveness

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

3.5 Student demonstrates understanding of how the strengths perspective and empowerment approaches can influence growth, development, and behavior change.

5.2 Student is able to critically evaluate the relevance of intervention models for their application with diverse ethnic and cultural populations.

7.6 Student can apply theories of human development ad organizational change to develop intervention plans with clients.