Navigating a VUCA world as coaches and mentors. What insights does psychology offer?
Blog post contributed by Anindita Das Broekman, Senior Practitioner Coach, Founder CoachWorx | SoulWorx Psychodrama, EMCC Asia Pacific VP-Operations
The Asia Pacific region has been facing a period of turmoil characterized by violence since the beginning of this year. Countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Myanmar have been significantly affected by war, insurgency, armed conflicts, and violence. The EMCC Asia Pacific region expresses deep sadness over the violence and is concerned about the psychological impacts on civilians, victims, children, families, communities, soldiers, and aid workers.
The term VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) is often used to describe environments marked by instability and change. In today’s climate—especially in the Asia Pacific region—these conditions are not theoretical, but lived realities.
The long-term consequences of war on health and well-being are severe. The repercussions of these conflicts are felt globally by individuals with loved ones in the region, and those worried about the broader implications of war. The societal and personal impact of these events on coaches and mentors is substantial. EMCC Asia Pacific has received diverse feedback from members regarding whether coaches and mentors should address the broader political context of current conflicts. The organisation recognises the human suffering and psychological toll of these conflicts and aims to have a positive influence on the world as a global initiative.
Resources
This blog has compiled resources from psychology that address the effects of war and conflicts, as well as strategies for navigating challenging environments marked by despair. It underscores our concern about the psychological effects of conflicts in the short and long term on all parties involved. Despite the intense emotions surrounding this issue, the main objective remains to establish, promote, and uphold best practices in mentoring, coaching, and supervision worldwide for the betterment of society. We strive to highlight the positive impact we can have within our diverse cultural and community contexts during these challenging times.
The following collected of content includes books, articles, movies, and podcast to share with you.
BOOKS
- Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together
by Alexandra Chesterfield, Alison Goldsworthy & Laura Osborne - Our Brains at War: The Neuroscience of Conflict and Peacebuilding
by Mari Fitzduff - Unlocking the Nature of Human Aggression A Psychoanalytic and Neuroscientific Approach
by Adrian Perkel - The Impact of War on Children: A Review of Progress Since the 1996: United Nations Report on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
by Graca Machel (Author), Sebastian Salgado - On the Warpath: The Psychology of Public Support for Armed Action
by Jim Orford - Bystander Society Conformity and Complicity in Nazi Germany and the Holocaust
by Mary Fulbrook
ARTICLES
- Be self-protective about media exposure to tragedy
by Dr Roxane Cohen Silver (University of California, Irvine), keynote speaker at the European Congress of Psychology - Implications of reading about war on psychological safety
The Psychology Practice - How a tropical horse therapy retreat taught me to grieve
by Judy Cogan
MOVIES
- Beasts of No Nation (2015)
- Mongol (2007)
- Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
- Lakshya (2004)
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
PODCASTS
Disclaimer:
All content on our blogs is provided in good faith for general information and educational purposes only. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness, of any information on the site. The blog is not a substitute for professional coaching and mentoring services. Before taking any action based upon the information, we encourage you to speak to appropriate professionals.