Resilience - “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and Prime Minister.

Resilience, it comes in many shapes and sizes - most of us have met or know someone who has demonstrated incredible resilience either in their personal or professional life.

However, the current pace of change is truly unprecedented and “in today's rapidly evolving workplace, resilience is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to navigate challenges, bounce back from setbacks and maintain high performance”. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2023/07/11/building-resilience-in-the-workplace-strategies-for-success/?sh=6bbe5d587bca

But what is workplace resilience? These some key aspects:

1. Adaptability: Resilient individuals can adjust to new situations, technologies, and ways of working. They are open to change and able to learn from experiences.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions effectively is crucial for resilience. This includes self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills.
3. Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook, even in difficult circumstances, can help individuals persevere and see opportunities in challenges.
4. Problem-solving Skills: Resilient employees are adept at finding solutions to problems and overcoming obstacles. They approach challenges with a proactive mindset.
5. Strong Support Networks: Having supportive relationships at work and outside of work can provide encouragement, advice, and a sense of belonging, which can bolster resilience.
6. Self-Care Practices: Taking care of physical and mental health through activities like exercise, mindfulness, and adequate rest is essential for building resilience.
7. Effective Communication: Clear and open communication fosters trust, collaboration, and mutual support, which are essential for navigating difficult situations.
8. Goal Setting: Setting realistic goals and breaking them down into manageable tasks can provide a sense of purpose and direction, even during tough times.

That all sounds great, but how do you measure for an existing or potential employee’s level of resilience in each of these areas? This 2 minute read explains how; https://www.gfbgroup.com/post/tough-luck-suck-it-up

There are many articles, papers and guidance out there to help support resilience too e.g. https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/mental-health-factsheet/

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-resilience

If you would like to know more about how GFB can help you assess resilience please get in touch - email info@gfbgroup.com or call us on +44 (0) 333 090 2580