Resilient Leadership

Resilience is often defined as a trait that allows people to bounce back quickly when faced with complex challenges. Although this may be true in clinical research, it does not translate into the organizational space. Theoretical shifts in the concept of resilience emphasize that resilience is a capacity that can be developed. Developing resilience-related skills and behaviors can improve a leader’s experience with stress and burnout, improving their and the team's well-being. Increasing resilience provides the tools and resources needed to live well.

Resilience is essential at all levels of an organization. Leaders have an extraordinary impact on their teams and organizations, especially during increased stress. Resilient leaders exhibit greater emotional flexibility as they flex their emotions to match the ever-changing environmental stimuli. Resilience leaders are energetic, curious, open to new experiences, and have positive emotionality. With resilience, leaders become stable and gain the ability to make positive changes during stressful times.

I want to point out that resiliency does not mean you do not experience hard times but can deal with hard times well. Like many other essential skills needed to thrive in leadership, resilience starts with self-awareness and self-management. Here are a few questions to help you cultivate your resilience during hard times:

• What am I feeling and why?

• How do I behave when I experience these feelings?

• What would be the most helpful way to respond?

• What tools and resources do I need to thrive?

Understanding oneself is the most essential skill that one can master. Once you know yourself, you are better equipped to handle complex times and be the resilient leader your team needs you to be.