Leading and Engaging Young Adults: Building on strengths and opportunities from growth
Samantha Mordech, community psychologist, leadership development & impact consultant, shared some incredible insight into youth engagement and fascinating information about the mindset, challenges and interests of the younger generation over two day workshops.
In this series the attendees were provided with the resources and direction to build their awareness and capabilities to better understand, engage and support young adults as leaders of tomorrow. Two workshops included presentation of contemporary theories, research and insights to inform work with this demographic, case studies & best practice examples, facilitated discussion & reflective practice exercises and takeaway tools and messages to guide further action.
The second workshop was adapted to follow the outcomes of the first workshop and included a focus on Millennials, I-Gen’s, Z’s and even Y’s. This sessions focused on working with 16 - 40 year olds who are the current and future custodians of our community, traditions & organisations.
Rabbi Rabin, President RCV reflected on the course. “Samantha shared some incredible insight into youth engagement and fascinating information about the mindset, challenges and interests of the younger generation. She also introduced us to human centered problem solving and how we can use this model in all areas of our work.
What I found particularly relevant and something which was often stressed when I was studying my Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy degree, was the concept of bias. As humans, we bring all sorts of bias to any given situation. It could be our family upbringing, social or economical factors, religious background and many other considerations. As a counselor it is crucial to always be cognisant of one's biases when relating to a client.
When it comes to engaging with our community, it is also very important to consider these biases and connect with the person in a manner that puts those biases aside. One should rather engage through empathy, focusing and giving thought to where the other person stands. This provides a very authentic, non-judgmental and warm approach. It is certainly relevant in any area of interpersonal relating and something which a person can continue to refine each day. It also provides a person the ability to actively listen and hear what the other is saying and to learn from their experiences and views!
