Becoming and remaining resilient
Resilience is a tough one. Some people have it, some don’t. Some people can develop it, some don’t even want to try.
There will always be circumstances that will challenge us and our leadership. The pandemic was a huge one, but now we have tough market conditions, increasing costs, supply chain restrictions, talent challenges, personal traumas – the list goes on! Whichever it is, resilience really is a trait which leaders need to develop.
Someone asked us last week to ‘give them resilience’. We wish it was something we could just ‘give’, or someone could take like a pill – we could become very rich! However, resilience is something you build and develop over time.
We are going to spend some time in this article looking at what resilience is, how you know if you have it and some tips for remaining resilient.
What is resilience?
It is the ability to be able to bounce back or recover from situations, challenges, or setbacks. Someone once described it as “it’s like being a rubber band that can stretch when pulled but returns back to its original shape afterwards”.
Resilient people can face adversity, adapt to changes, and keep going even when things get tough.
It is quite a complex trait which can be influenced by a combination of factors including genetic, environmental, and psychological. Whilst we won’t go into detail on all of those, some people do have depending on certain genetic traits, a predisposition to handle stress and adversity, or it may have been early life experiences which helped someone create coping strategies for tricky times.
You will be pleased to know that you can develop resilience. We have heard some people say they don’t want to as it means that things won’t be going to plan. But hey, no-one ever has things go to plan every day, every month, every year do they? So, it’s an important life skill let alone a crucial leadership skill.
How do I know if I am resilient?
It isn’t as simple as just having been through ‘tough stuff’. Some people will indeed develop the trait by experiencing difficult situations, but others may not.
You probably need to assess your ability to be resilient yourself or use a trusted colleague, peer, or family member to chat things through with. Some questions to reflect on are:
1) How do I handle setbacks and failures? Do I bounce back quickly, or do I dwell on them for a pro-longed period?
2) Am I adaptable in the face of change and uncertainty or do I resist change and become stressed when things don’t go to plan?
3) How well do I manage my stress levels? Do I have coping mechanisms in place, or do I often feel overwhelmed?
4) Do I have a strong support network in both my personal and professional life and do I use them effectively when facing challenges?
5) Am I open to feedback and constructive criticism, and do I use it to learn and improve, even when it’s difficult to hear?
6) When faced with high pressure situations, how do I maintain my composure and make sound decisions?
7) How well do I communicate with my team during times of crisis or change? Am I transparent and empathetic in my communication?
8) Do I learn from past challenges and mistakes to take valuable lessons for the future?
9) Do I proactively seek opportunities for personal and professional growth, or do I resist change and new challenges?
It is sometimes by being truly honest with yourself, you can find out which of these you do well and which you need to work on. By getting yourself a ‘focus list’ means you are a step nearer to building your resilience for the future.
How can I become or remain resilient?
There are several things you can try in your quest to develop your resilience. We suggest reading the list first and then going back and picking out 3 at a time to work through. Then when you have mastered those, try another 3 and then another 3….
Adaptability – be flexible and open to change. As a Leader you know things can change quickly, work to embrace innovation and seek creative solutions to problems
Maintain perspective – keep the bigger picture in mind. Remember that tough times are temporary and are part of your leadership journey. Keep focused on your long-term goals and the positive impact you want to make
Self-care – prioritise your care to ensure you are physically and mentally prepared to handle challenges. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing
Stay connected – maintain strong relationships with your team and support networks. Open lines of communication and seek feedback, share challenges. You don’t have to go through tough times alone
Lead by example – demonstrate your resilience to your team. Your behaviour and attitude can be contagious. Show them how to face adversity with a positive mindset and determination and create the right environment for them to ‘bounce back’ from challenging times
Problem solving – break down any complex issues into manageable parts. Set clear priorities and tackle one problem at a time. By solving a problem, you have a real opportunity to ‘get to the other side’ – a simple little example of being resilient in that moment
Embrace failure – understand that failure (or not winning all the time) is part of leadership. Learn from your mistakes and encourage your team to do the same. Use setbacks as opportunities for growth
Celebrate successes – acknowledge and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Recognising progress can boost confidence and resilience
Delegate effectively – don’t shoulder all the burden yourself. Delegate tasks and responsibilities to capable team members. Trust their abilities and empower them to take ownership
Show up for your team – don’t just use the phrase “they need to learn to be resilient” as an excuse to leave them in the mire. Support, coach, and mentor them as they learn to build their own resilience, so they know how to cope next time
Maintain a positive mindset – focus on what you can control and try to see challenges as an opportunity for growth. Cultivate a sense of gratitude and optimism even in difficult times
Self-reflection – regularly reflect on your leadership style and actions. Identify areas for improvement and be willing to adapt and grow as a leader
Emotional regulation – pay attention and reflect on your emotional responses at work. Are you able to manage your emotions, stay calm under pressure and avoid getting overwhelmed. In the times you can do this, jot down what you did to successfully regulate your emotions so you can refer to this next time
Maintain your work-home balance – resilience isn’t just about work. It’s also about maintaining a healthy balance – so evaluate how well you manage your time and energy to prevent burnout
Ask for feedback from colleagues, peers, leaders, or mentors. They may well provide insights into your resilience based on their observations and experiences with you
Build a resilience toolkit – create a ‘toolbox’ of strategies that work for you in different situations. This can include relaxation techniques, journaling, hobbies, or any other activities that help you to stay grounded
There is a lot to work through, however, remember that building resilience is a process that takes time and effort. It’s normal to face setbacks and challenges along the way, but by practicing these strategies consistently, you can develop greater resilience and better cope with adversity.
For us, your 5 key take aways should be:
Self-care and wellbeing – prioritise your physical and mental health (get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and have some stress management techniques ready
Adaptability and flexibility – embrace new ideas and approaches, encourage innovation and be open to adjusting when necessary. Today’s world is changing rapidly – be ready to pivot and evolve!
Effective communication – clear and transparent communication is vital during crisis (mini or large scale) or uncertainty. Communicate openly with your team, share information, expectations and provide reassurance. Listening to your team and their concerns is equally important
Emotional intelligence – show empathy, build strong relationships and work at resolving conflicts. Keep things in perspective and relative to the bigger picture
Building a supportive network – don’t go it alone. Build a network of mentors, advisors, peers, and team members who can provide guidance, feedback and assistance when needed. A different perspective or insight really can help you to make decisions and move forward
Resilience is how you bounce back, it’s how you stretch that rubber band and if you look back, there will be many things you have coped with, come back from, and lived to tell the tale. Remind yourself you can do it and you can face anything that comes your way.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again”.
We are happy to be part of your network too – if you want us to be your ‘reflective partner’ so you can assess your own resilience rating, or if you want us to help you get feedback on your style, or you just want to run through some leadership challenges or questions, please get in touch, it’s what we do!
