Skills for an Executive Director of Clinical Services at Rethink First
Angela, Executive Director of Clinical Services, emphasizes strong "executive functioning skills—focus, attention, time management, and prioritization"—as crucial for success in their role. Their counseling background also informs the importance of "active listening and perspective-taking skills," enabling compassionate support through consultations.
Executive Functioning, Active Listening, Perspective-Taking, Leadership, Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Angela Nelson
Executive Director of Clinical Services
Rethink First
UCLA
Master's in Counseling from Cal State Northridge and Doctorate in Education from USC
Psychology
Education, Technology
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Strong executive functioning skills are crucial for success in this role, including focus, attention, time management, organization, planning, prioritizing, and task completion.
2. Active listening skills are essential for effective consultations, requiring the ability to ask insightful questions, reflect accurately, and confirm understanding.
3. Perspective-taking skills, honed through a counseling background, enable compassionate and empathetic support by understanding others' experiences and viewpoints.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
In my role, strong executive functioning skills are key to success. This is an umbrella term for skills that help you get things done, originating from the frontal cortex of our brain. Think of it as your body's CEO.
These skills aren't fully developed until early adulthood, and some of us continue to develop and struggle with them. Having strong executive functioning, including focus, attention, time management, and organization, is crucial. Being able to plan, prepare, prioritize tasks, and get things done are also top skills.
Additionally, active listening and perspective-taking skills are very important. My master's in counseling has been beneficial in this role, especially during consultations. It helps me ask questions, listen, and reflect back what I've heard to ensure understanding.
Phrases like "If I understand correctly, it sounds like this is happening. Do I have that right?" help me confirm I'm hearing people's perspectives accurately. This allows me to provide support with compassion and empathy. So, executive functioning, active listening, and perspective-taking are essential.