Crisis Curriculum:

THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING PRIORITIES

POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH

Posttraumatic growth describes the experience of individuals whose development, at least in some areas, has surpassed what was present before the struggle with crises occurred. The individual has not only survived, but has experienced changes that are viewed as important, and that go beyond what was the previous status quo. Posttraumatic growth is not simply a return to baseline – it is an experience of improvement that for some persons is deeply profound.*

*Calhoun, Lawrence. Tedeschi, Richard. Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence. Psychological Inquiry. 2004, Vol.15. No. 1, 1-18

One of the hallmarks of crisis is that the status quo is untenable. Change cannot be avoided, nor can everything be preserved.

Parfet/Solomon, FastCompany, March 23, 2020

RAVENYARD GROUP: SUPPORTING LEADERS IN CRISIS

PRIORITIES ARE A LIFELINE

Priorities are useful all the time, but in a crisis, they will save your life

RAVENYARD GROUP: SUPPORTING LEADERS IN CRISIS

PRIORITIES, NOT GOALS​

PRIORITIES ARE...

  • Aspirational
  • Guideposts
  • An anchor
  • Tied to inner experience

PRIORITIES ARE NOT...

  • Goals
  • Tied to outcomes
  • An anchor
  • A “to-do” list
  • A strategy
  • Tangible
  • Action items

PRIORITIES ARE ABOUT CULTIVATING MEANING

How will you feel about yourself regardless of the outcome?

Assigning meaning is what validates the experience and allows you to grow.

PRIORITIES INVOLVE TRADEOFFS

Choices have opportunity costs, things you give up

You can’t successfully have 10 priorities.

Connection

Minimize feeling overwhelmed

Adaptability

PRIORITIES: EXAMPLES

QUESTIONS TO ASK

  • To what do you aspire during this crisis?
  • What is most important to preserve?
  • What traits do you want to display?
  • If you look back in ten years, what will make you feel like you managed the crisis well?
  • Are there particular morals or principles that feel important to uphold?
  • What key relationships do you want to protect?
  • What would make you feel proud even if the crisis ends badly for you?

GROUP PRIORITIES ARE A TEAM EFFORT

  • Priorities are guideposts for decisions and behavior.
  • Operationalizethemasapart of a core crisis curriculum.
  • Utilize your existing toolkit to develop short daily and weekly activities centered around the priorities.

RAVENYARD GROUP: SUPPORTING LEADERS IN CRISIS 21