World

Executive coaching expert, Dr. Taryn Stejskal shares her thoughts on how resilience is the key to beating COVID-19

Published

6 years ago

May 22, 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus has led to a worldwide crisis with extensive losses in terms of health and much of the global economy. The pandemic has time and again reminded us evidently of the brittleness of some of the most straightforward human-made systems. The worldwide lockdown and isolation being observed for over two months to break the chain of COVID-19 are giving rise to restlessness among people as they are unable to step out of their homes. Executive coach and expert on resilience, Dr. Taryn Stejskal, recommends ways to beat the stress by building resilience and a positive attitude.

The uncertainty, unease, and seclusion caused by COVID-19 are triggering anxiety and fear among the citizens. The current situation has transformed our lives by putting our minds into survival mode. “Our creative and rational sides have shrunk, and we are forgetting the concept of connecting with others. In a phase like this, nothing but resilience alone will help us fight and survive the disease better,” says Dr. Stejskal.

In fact, through her book “Flourish or Fold: The Five Practices of Particularly Resilient People”, which is slated for release by the end of 2020, Dr. Stejskal has specifically focused on ways to enhance resilience in life, as well as leadership. She hopes to aid people to bring out the best in themselves each day. As of now, she is using her formal training and experience to guide teams, CEOs, and people in general to overcome their fears and failures due to heavy pressure, vulnerability, and insecurity caused by the pandemic.

Dr. Taryn knows that the pandemic is, without a doubt, a catastrophe for the whole world. However, it shouldn’t mean the apocalypse. We have overcome other epidemics like Swine flu, SARS, and MERS in the past. Dr. Taryn elaborated, “While we need to be cautious of what is happening around, one need not obsess over the pandemic. The only way to stay sane and strong during this world crisis is by facing the situation with courage, patience, and compassion, and most of all resilience”

Dr. Stejskal, who also owns a company, Resilience Leadership, can often be seen and heard advising people to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. She suggests leading a healthy lifestyle with good sleep and eating habits and reassures that normalcy will return. Dr. Taryn has consulted top leaders of Fortune 500 companies and illustrious startups. With her observation and experience, Dr. Taryn says that it’s time to identify what they can and cannot control and concentrate only on the former.

“Our resilience in the present times will be tested not just by how we curb the spread of the coronavirus but also how we make the best out of the rest,” added Dr. Stejskal. She further concludes by saying that while it is critical to take the pandemic seriously, panicking will not be of any help. It is imperative to place a great deal of importance on cleanliness, not just of the body but also of the mind. While doing so, people must remember to be resilient.

World

Swiss International University Enhances Student Employability with Major Global Collaborations

Published

2 weeks ago

November 8, 2025

Jenny Jackson

New collaborations with Citibank, Abu-Ghazaleh Global, RAK Properties, and others strengthen SIU’s commitment to connecting academic learning with global career opportunities.

Swiss International University (SIU) has already informed about the new corporate partnerships that will start in October 2025 and that they will provide students with better access to internships, training programs, and job opportunities in various fields.

The new partnerships are aligned with SIU’s goal to combine education with the real world, as they ensure that the graduates are equipped with the required knowledge, skills, and professional exposure to be successful in the global economy of today.

In the last few weeks, SIU has formed alliances with several major companies, including those from the banking, business, hospitality, real estate, and consulting sectors. The students will be actively involved in each collaboration through internships, practical training, and the career opportunities that will be given to them during or after their studies.

Among the key collaborations are

Citibank, where students of the business and finance fields will get to experience international banking operations through special training and possible hiring programs.

Abu-Ghazaleh Global has given SIU’s programs its official blessing and access to practical experience in global business, accounting, and consulting.

RAK Properties is going to give real estate and business students a chance to learn about property development, investment, and project management.

The Signature Inn Hotel Al Riqa L.L.C. offers students of hospitality a chance through real-life interrelated scenarios to gain the knowledge of front-office operations and guest management.

Al Shabaka International Businessmen Services is opening a door for the students to meet the professionals involved in global business consulting and administration.

Galadari Motor Driving Center, where students will get a clear insight into corporate management, customer relations, and operational efficiency.

Women’s First Jobs is going to help female students and graduates through career counseling, professional networking, and empowerment initiatives.

MyFounders.Club Global is building up the students and aspiring founders in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship by taking them through the process of developing and launching new ventures.

Revival AE Project Development Consultant Co., L.L.C., where students will be working on consulting for sustainable projects and environmental management.

“The partnerships that we have formed represent our commitment not only to the business world but also to the world of academia,” said the Head of Swiss International University. “We are aspiring to equip every student in SIU with the power to win the global job market through robust academic credentials, practical exposure, and a web of real opportunities. Our target is not a teacher-student relationship whose only need is the job—our students will be the ones making changes in the various fields of tomorrow.”

The academic world and the global market are the two areas where SIU, collaborating with partners at the present time, shows the institution’s continued commitment to creating a career-oriented academic environment where learning takes place beyond the walls of the classrooms.

The deadline of October 2025 is approaching, but the university is still looking to make new strategic partnerships to grow its network of global partners. It is clear from the continuous activities of the university that it is striving to offer its students worldwide the possibility of not only utilizing their skills but also being a part of the industry via employment and thus empowering them to make a difference in international markets.