In addition to her positions as Professor and Senior Executive-in-Residence at American University’s School of Public Affairs and Director of Coaching for the Key Executive Leadership Programs at American University, Dr. Ruth Zaplin’s recent certification as a Global Leadership Profile (GLP) Coach adds a valuable dimension to her expertise in leader development.

A constant refrain from public sector leaders at all levels is that they are over their heads when dealing with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity beyond imagination. That, coupled with the post-pandemic, there is significant disagreement about how to deal with what is going on and what should happen.

Our perception of the world around us is significantly influenced by the stories we create about our experiences. The more we become entrenched in our stories, the more challenging it becomes to perceive objective reality with clarity. Often, we’re unknowingly swayed by a complex interplay of thoughts and emotions.

On December 7, 2023, American University’s Key Executive Leadership Programs held its annual conference, “The Future of Leadership: Leading Through Chaos,” at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC. Drs. Ruth Zaplin and Marcia Ruben led an experiential session titled “Resilient Leadership: Strategies for Thriving in Complexity and Chaos.”