Your transformative journey began in the SOSSAS Level I courses as you were introduced to the idea of what Effective Communicators can do. The first five courses focused on you learning how to cultivate a leadership presence, foster empathetic listening and communication skills, conduct civil discourse while continually honing your critical thinking skills. While all those courses may sound quite lofty and idealistic, they are attainable with practice and adopting a new way to interpret your life’s journeys.
My life’s journey taught me that lessons, moments, learnings all start with how I choose to interpret them. I distinctly remember sitting on my front porch; it was warm out and I was around nine or ten years old. As four-year-olds, my friend Shelly and I met in the middle of Webster Street as I invited her over for breakfast. Within a few years another little girl moved into our neighborhood, and this created the proverbial triangle within the friendship where one girl was sometimes left out and talked about amongst the other two (at least that is how my 9-year-old-brain interpreted it). A new feeling, jealousy, integrated itself into my way of interpreting events and I found myself feeling insecure, irrational, and a bit paranoid. Not sure how long it lasted, but I remember feeling uncomfortable about how I was feeling and thinking. I sat down on our front porch and had a talk with myself. I remember saying something like “I don’t like these new feelings and I am not going to think this way anymore.” And the jealousy, insecurity, paranoia thoughts stopped. Hard to believe – absolutely, and the significance is they stopped in that moment (I had to work on developing more “stopping power” from that point forward), but the larger more powerful learning was “I had the power to make a choice about how I interpreted events.” Did I know how to articulate that at nine?? Of course not, but my nine-year-old brain began to interpret events differently and that was the power I eventually understood; the choice was mine. It really is no different than the choice we make when we say, “I am stubborn and that is the way I am.” We can also say, “I am more understanding and that is the way I am.” We can always make a choice.
That understanding about choice thoroughly influenced my career as a high school social studies teacher, I have found myself in “transformative moments” where a student or fellow teacher said something, and I was aware that I was at a verbal crossroads, and I could choose to react with anger in order to protect and defend myself or I could listen in a new way that kept the conversation alive, safe, and moving. I learned that I did not need to diminish others to elevate myself. Eventually, I came to name these moments as pivot points where I can pivot (which will open more possibilities) or choose not to (which will close off the opportunities). I can adopt what I am learning and be more productive or not and continue my less effective way of communicating. Again, I had a choice!
There are moments in all our lives where something is said, or something is overheard, or seen, experienced and it is so poignant, so powerful, so revelatory that the words and the experience itself represent something more than just words on a page. Transformative ideas, deeper meanings are contained in those moments and one’s ability to capture the power, truly the essence of the moment and pivot into language that is more powerful, helpful, and transformative than before is mind altering.
I am momentarily suspended as the language has opened up a door offering a new way to interpret what just happened or interpret what was being said, and as a SOSSAS trained communicator, these learnings collectively empower you to communicate with impact, navigate diverse conversations with grace and contribute positively to both your personal and professional lives and again, to make a choice. Statespeople can influence positive change through their words, deeds, and actions and as you continue to build “your communication toolbox”, the comprehensive skill set acquired becomes not only a professional asset for you, but also helps others who want to elevate discourse, become change agents who inspire positive change in the world and reignite the hope that we can do better.
SOSSAS Level II courses continue your transformative journey as you learn how to Identify Strengths in yourself and others. As you revisit your own life experiences, you learn to reframe learnings that help you better understand yourself and reshape not only the way you approach your personal development, but also help you develop a more gracious and hopeful understanding where you are able to recognize that all people are on a journey of their own. In this exploration, we delve into each course, unraveling the course specific information to help you “in creating a bridge between the material presented and how the concepts can be applied and integrated into reality” as a recent SOSSAS student pointed out.
Course 6: Being Present: Mindfulness
Our world is in a state of perpetual busyness while never-ending distractions bombard us daily and make it near impossible to focus or find the time or space to be still, present, and aware. This course introduces students to the art of mindfulness and offers practical techniques to learn how to anchor and hold one’s awareness in the present. Mindfulness is more than a buzzword; it is a way of being that cultivates a heightened sense of awareness about being present in the moment. Students engaging in mindfulness practices discover the power of focusing their attention on the present moment, free from the shackles of past regrets or future anxieties. The takeaway from this course extends beyond stress reduction; it is about developing a mindset that enhances the quality of every experience.
As students’ progress through mindfulness exercises, they find that the cacophony of modern life gradually fades into the background. The ability to center oneself becomes a tool for improved concentration and decision-making. The takeaway from “Being Present-Mindfulness” is not just a set of being present techniques but also a transformative shift in one’s perspective – a newfound ability to savor the richness of each moment and approach life with clarity and intention.
Course 7: Self Awareness:
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of personal growth, and this course provides a mirror through which students see and better understand themselves. Your SOSSAS journey continues with the course on Self-Awareness inviting you to embark on an inward exploration, peeling back the layers of your personalities, of your “selves” to gain a more profound understanding of the emotions, values and motivations that shape your sense of self.
One of the key takeaways from any self-awareness exercise is developing the capacity for a different kind of introspection. Introspection can be a tricky journey and oftentimes we begin with questions about doubt, not being good enough and feelings of insecurity that crowd our thoughts. We might get stuck listening to that broken record of negativity and feel powerless to stop it. But as the believer in “that which I resist, persists” I choose to not deny the insecurities but rather acknowledge them, move through them, and glean what I can from them. Our doubts simply are a gift reminding us that we are still works-in-progress, and I can move to interpreting the larger learnings. I am in charge, and making a choice about what I will learn from my introspective journey. SOSSAS students can learn to identify patterns in their thoughts and behaviors, recognizing areas for improvement and potential avenues for growth. This newfound self-awareness becomes their superpower.
As students engage in self-reflection exercises, they uncover not only their strengths but also what I call their “strengths in progress.” The takeaway is a more comprehensive and better understood self-portrait – a roadmap (if you will) for your own personal development where you are better equipped to navigate the complexities of life, build more authentic relationships, and recognize you are not diminished by the talents, strengths, and attributes of others, but rather enhanced by the other “selves” around you.
Course 8: Emotional Intelligence
The journey toward self-mastery takes a deep dive into the realm of emotions with the course on Emotional Intelligence. In a world that often prioritizes academic or technical skills, emotional intelligence emerges as another strength one can bring to relationships. It can help foster a more profound understanding of oneself in relation to others.
As students engage in activities that promote emotional intelligence, they discover the power of empathy in fostering meaningful connections. The ability to empathize with others’ perspectives becomes a powerful tool for conflict resolution and collaboration.
The takeaway from this course is multifaceted as SOSSAS students will learn to develop the ability to recognize the power of understanding their emotions accurately laying the foundation for effective emotional regulation. They learn to navigate the intricate web of human emotions, not only in themselves but also in others. This empathetic understanding forms the basis for enhanced interpersonal relationships, both personally and professionally.
Course 9: Identifying Strengths in Self & Others
The course on Identifying Strengths in Self & Others serves as a bridge between internal self-discovery and external collaboration. This module encourages SOSSAS students to recognize and leverage their own strengths while appreciating, elevating, and including the unique qualities of others.
The takeaway from this course is threefold:
first students will develop a heightened sense of self-confidence as they learn to identify and embrace their strengths. This grounded self-assurance then becomes a driving force, empowering students to pursue challenges and opportunities with conviction; and second, the ability to recognize strengths in others becomes a cornerstone for more effective collaborative teamwork. As SOSSAS students complete interactive exercises and collaborative projects, they learn to harness the collective power of the diverse strengths within a group and third, a shift in mindset – from viewing differences as potential sources of conflict to appreciating them as valuable contribution to a team’s success. Armed with this perspective, SOSSAS students are better prepared to encourage collaborative solutions to help solve both the demands of their professional and personal worlds.
Course 10: Social Intelligence
As the journey continues, the SOSSAS course on Social Intelligence takes center stage. Social intelligence goes beyond individual interactions; it encompasses a nuanced understanding of group dynamics, societal norms, and effective communication strategies. The takeaway from this course is developing a refined set of interpersonal skills. SOSSAS students will develop the ability to navigate social situations with finesse, adapting to diverse contexts and communicating more effectively. Social intelligence becomes a compass directing more interactions, both in the workplace, community, or broader societal spheres.
Through case studies and real-world simulations, students hone their social intelligence, learning to read social cues and respond effectively. Developing a more authentic and accurate social radar will help build more understanding and connect people with diverse backgrounds thus creating another powerful asset that fosters a sense of cultural competence. The takeaway is a heightened awareness of the social fabric that shapes all human interactions and the skills to navigate it with grace and efficacy.
Overall Takeaways:
Your Communication Toolbox is now replete with:
- Holistic Self-Understanding: Students leave with a more comprehensive understanding of themselves, encompassing their strengths, strengths-in-training and emotional landscape.
- Enhanced Interpersonal Skills: SOSSAS courses collectively contribute to the development of robust interpersonal skills, enabling students to better navigate both personal and professional relationships more effectively.
- Stress Reduction and Well-Being: Mindfulness practices and emotional intelligence skills that contribute to stress reduction and an improved overall sense of well-being.
- Empathy and Collaboration: Focusing on social and emotional intelligence fosters empathy and collaboration which are crucial attributes for all types of human interaction.
- Personal and Professional Growth: Armed with a deeper understanding of themselves and others, SOSSAS students are better positioned for continuous growth, both personal and professional.
Completing the courses within the SOSSAS Identifying Strengths module, is a profound journey toward self-discovery and personal mastery. The takeaways extend into many arenas of one’s life; to influencing various facets of both one’s own personal and professional lives. Armed with social intelligence, mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and an appreciation for an awareness of the strengths in themselves and others, SOSSAS students are more equipped with the knowledge that they too can make new choices about leading more purposeful and fulfilling lives in our complex and interconnected world. These courses exemplify a paradigm shift toward holistic development, empowering individuals to thrive beyond often their own limitations and choose a new path, with new tools in hand.