Resilience in the workplace has always been important, but in the post-COVID world, it has become even more necessary. The past year has continued to bring considerable change for people and organizations. As a result, employees have had to be more resilient than ever to continue to thrive.
Resilience is about more than just surviving during change. It’s about dealing with high levels of disruption while staying productive, effective, and well. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of resilience and share some ideas on how it can be developed.
For leaders and managers, resilience is important because it allows them to effectively lead their team through change and uncertainty. When faced with an unanticipated or disruptive event or crisis, leaders who remain calm and adapt their strategy as needed are more likely to find solutions and keep their team on track. Resilient leaders help their teams develop habits and practices that make disruption more manageable and comfortable.
For employees, resilience is important because it enables them to stay engaged and productive in the face of challenges. Whether it’s dealing with a demanding co-worker, handling a heavy workload, or adjusting to a new work environment or practices, resilient employees are able to maintain a positive attitude and continue to contribute to the success of the organization while adapting.
In addition to helping individuals navigate challenges both personally and professionally, resilience also has a ripple effect on the entire organization. When leaders and employees are resilient, it creates a culture of resilience that can help the organization as a whole adapt and weather any disruptions that come its way.
We know that resilience is not a trait, but rather a set of skills that can be developed. What are some ways to develop it?
Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for building resilience. This includes daily habits like getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Pay attention to your energy levels and watch for signs of overload. Take stock of your regular routines to ensure you are maintaining and refuelling your energy levels. There are many ways to both deplete and rebuild your energy – what are your patterns?
Develop a growth mindset: Rather than seeing setbacks as failures, try to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. This can help you bounce back more quickly and approach challenges with a more positive attitude.
Seek support: Building a strong support network can help you through tough times. This can include friends and family, as well as colleagues and mentors. Know that it’s okay to need help. Identify the type of help you need and then figure out who you can call on. Being helpful to others makes us more comfortable asking sometimes too.
Notice and if needed, adjust your habits: Cultivate habits that help you see hope and possibility in adversity, identify and focus on your priorities and take action steps to address problems and keep moving forward. Our habits include both how we think and how we behave when faced with a crisis or an unexpected disruption. If you want to focus on habit building – Atomic Habits by James Clear is an excellent resource.
In conclusion, resilience has always been important, but in the post-COVID world, it is more valuable than ever. By developing resilience, people can not only navigate the challenges of the present, but also be better equipped to handle whatever challenges the future may bring.
If you’re ready to start building resilience in your own life and career, take the first step today. Whether it’s seeking support, practicing self-care, or adjusting your daily habits and patterns, there are many ways to start building this valuable skill. Don’t let challenges hold you back – embrace them as opportunities to grow and thrive.
If you want to learn more and create a plan for developing resilience in your organization, check out our “Resilience: Thriving in Change and Uncertainty” workshop plus experience. You will receive a Personal Resilience Profile along with a workshop experience and follow up habit building prompts to help you learn and implement actions that will support your success during change and challenge. Contact us for more information.
“Resilience: Thriving in Change and Uncertainty”
Contact us for more information